Editors' top reads: News from Adidas, Primark, Vestiaire Collective and more...

Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.

Adidas teams up with Vintage Threads on ‘Predator’ inspired reworked collection

Yesterday saw the launch of a unique 12-piece collection of reworked pieces by pre-loved retailer Vintage Threads and Adidas, inspired by the latter’s iconic ‘Predator’ football boots – first introduced 30 years ago, and what a clever collection it is too.

There’s vests and cross body bags crafted from vintage Predator boots, a padded jacket and even tops and a skirt made out of old football scarves, and technical trousers incorporating goalkeeping gloves.

Add to that, the launch event – which coincides with the release of the new ‘Predator 24’ boots – at the Adidas flagship store on Oxford Street last night, also featured a curated collection of over 100 football shirts and merchandise. Not just one for footie lovers, but also one for those who appreciate a fresh take on sustainable fashion.

Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.

Vestiaire Collective undertakes first ever crowdfunding exercise as it eyes IPO

Vestiaire Collective has blazed a trail in the luxury resale market, already achieved "Unicorn" status and has top-draw backers, among them luxury conglomerate Kering. So it was something of a surprise to hear it was carrying out a crowdfunding exercise, which is a form of funding usually associated with much more early-stage start-ups.

But the Paris-founded company says it wants an injection of cash to fund further international growth ahead of its next big milestone, which is an IPO. Its staff are already shareholders in the business and this could be an excellent opportunity for its community to get a piece of the action ahead of a float.

Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.

Millie Bobby Brown adds fashion line to ever-growing 'Florence by Mills' portfolio

Actress Millie Bobby Brown first dipped her toes into entrepreneurial waters when she launched her eponymous cosmetics line in 2019. Now, the Stranger Things star is expanding her portfolio of skincare, coffee and pet accessories to include an apparel line, which she dubs a "confidence revolution".

Brown's foray into fashion leads us to ponder why another celebrity has created a fashion line. However, unlike her Kardashian counterparts, Bobby Brown's line strays from monotone, neutral palettes and delves into the realm of vibrant hues - reflecting her ever-growing portfolio's core DNA.

It's no surprise that more and more celebs have moved into the fashion and cosmetics space. Take Rihanna, for example. In 2021, Forbes valued the entire Fenty operation worth £2.3 billion ($2.8 billion). These figures superseded the star's financial gain from all her years of performing as an artist, answering the ongoing question as to why so many famous faces keep starting up new business ventures.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

Primark festive sales rise after warm autumn weather hit

This week saw the owner of Primark (AB Foods) report an increase in sales over its Christmas quarter as higher prices helped the brand overcome a hit from warm autumn weather - something many fashion businesses were impacted by last year.

Primark sales grew 2.1% in the 16 weeks to 6 January 2024, said to be driven by higher average selling prices as well as "strong demand" for Christmas ranges and lines such as its second collection designed in collaboration with singer Rita Ora - allowing customers to shop her famous style for less.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

BFC published diversity report to help drive fashion businesses

Earlier this week, The British Fashion Council, The Outsiders Perspective and Fashion Minority Report published this year's DEI Report. The comprehensive review of the current state of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the UK fashion industry sheds light on "how the sector can accomplish much more by diversifying its corporate representation, including executive positions".

Based on the findings from The UK Fashion DEI Census, we can see there is an intrinsic link between leadership diversity and company performance. The report sets out a business case with measurable levers to accelerate diversity, talent recruitment and retention.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

Could Frasers Group over-elevate itself?

This is the question our contributor Marcus Jaye has asked this week and it's a good one. The luxury market is challenged at present, will that present a stumbling block for Frasers Group CEO Michael Murray's "elevation strategy"?

Frasers' luxury chain Flannels does have its own very specific take on luxury and Murray sees an opportunity in the intersection between authentic performance sports apparel and luxury, which he believes Frasers (which is an authority on sport given it also owns Sports Direct) is uniquely positioned to exploit. He could well be right.

But what of its new acquisition, Matches? That's a brand that has built a reputation on being a taste-maker in high-end fashion, blended with in-the-know independent labels, for the past three decades. Will it be absorbed into Flannels and will Frasers respect the distinct nature of its brand and keep it as a separate entity? Well, we can't answer those questions yet, but we can have fun speculating.

Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.