Editors' Top Reads: News from Frasers Group, Liberty, fashion month and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
Fashion month wrapped: Critics react to a new wave of creative leadership
After a month of creative debuts, the spring/summer 2026 show season closed in Paris with plenty of talking points and, crucially, a clearer picture of how fashion’s latest wave of Creative Directors are settling into their new roles.
From Pierpaolo Piccioli’s refined Balenciaga to Jonathan Anderson’s dual Dior debut and beyond, the mood was one of recalibration - designers distilling brand codes and, in many cases, favouring quiet craftsmanship over headline-chasing spectacle. Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut, arguably the most highly anticipated designer debut of not only the season, but the decade, was one of the most talked about. The verdict? Blazy aced the test, bringing whimsical movement and modern polish to a collection that felt distinctly Chanel.
This feature is for anyone wanting to grasp the current mood in luxury fashion, answering the questions: Which creative debuts won over critics, which divided opinion, and how the new guard is rewriting the rules. Featuring insights from critics Suzy Menkes, Cathy Horyn, Jo Ellison, as well as buyer Simon Longland, and more , it’s a condensed snapshot of where luxury fashion is headed. Consider it your cheat sheet.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features.
5 autumn fashion trends to know this season
As the dust settles on September’s major fashion weeks, industry eyes have turned from the runways to the real world, focusing on which trends will define the season ahead.
This autumn, the message from designers is clear: longevity is back in style. While autumn classics - think deep hues, textured layers, and tailored silhouettes - remain at the forefront, they’ve been reimagined with unexpected twists and modern flair.
From elevated Parisian minimalism to the continued dominance of oversized proportions, this season strikes a balance between sophistication and statement. Personal stylists and trend forecasters agree - here's their thoughts on the key trends...
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Frasers makes first North American move acquiring majority stake in The Webster
Having apparently run out of multi-brand fashion retailers to acquire in the UK, Frasers this week surprised us all (well, me anyway) by buying a majority stake in Miami-based luxury boutique chain The Webster.
This is a luxury boutique of international renown and now has 13 stores across North America, including key sites in New York, Las Vegas and Austin. Brands stocked include Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent, Loewe, Bottega Veneta and The Row.
Apparently Frasers will leave it to run as a standalone business (and presumably won't be rebranding its as Flannels). It got me thinking about the now dormant Matches that Frasers owns, having bought it at the end of 2023 and closed it at the start of 2024.
Rumours have abounded that Matches will be resurrected with a private members' club model but that talk has gone quiet lately. Could there be a tie-up with The Webster for a transatlantic elite fashion members' club? It could work, but whether that's in the pipeline remains to be seen. Whatever the plans this is a very interesting move.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
Brand winners and losers of Oasis’ Live ’25 tour revealed in ‘Swagger Index’
Who would have thought that two German value supermarkets would have made it into the top three of a ‘Swagger Index’ looking at the brand winners and losers of Oasis’ Live ’25 tour?
Put together by social-first agency SAMY, which looked at which brands made the biggest cultural impact during the UK leg of the tour - which kicked off in Cardiff on 4 July and culminated at Wembley Stadium in London on 28 September - Aldi shocked the field by topping the Swagger Index with a ‘swagger score’ of 63.9.
Its cheeky ‘Aldeh’ wordplay campaign and rebranding of its main store in Manchester - Oasis’ home city – was “quick, funny and unmistakably Oasis”.
Brands were selected over three categories: ‘official partners’, ‘90s Britpop staples’, and ‘reactive bandwagon jumpers’ – of which there were plenty.
In at number two, much less surprisingly given its official collaboration collection with Oasis ahead of the start of the tour, was Adidas Originals, of which Liam and Noel Gallagher are both long-time fans, with a score of 60.5.
Then in at number three came Lidl with a swagger score of 53.4, put down to its reactive social posts and tongue-in-cheek ‘Lidl by Lidl’ parka – leaving the likes of Berghaus well in its wake (at number eight on 30.4 swagger points), despite the outdoor brand reissuing a jacket as sported by Liam Gallagher in the 90s, and getting him to model the updated version for an accompanying campaign.
There were some other very interesting brand ratings in the top 10, which even included Premier Inn and Asda, but you’ve got to hand to the marketing mavericks at Aldi and Lidl for their wit.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
The Interview: Liberty CEO Adil Mehboob-Khan on its 150th anniversary collection and global ambitions
Liberty London is turning 150, but if you think this is a story about nostalgia, think again. I sat down with CEO Adil Mehboob-Khan in Liberty's hallowed halls (restaurant Three Sixty, to be exact), to hear about how the storied retailer is celebrating its anniversary and how it's looking to the future.
Under Mehboob-Khan’s leadership, Liberty has evolved from a much-loved London landmark into a brand with global ambition. He’s unified its categories, tripled its own-brand offering, and expanded its e-commerce reach -all while preserving the charm of its "Hogwarts of retail" flagship.
Mehboob-Khan said: "People really have an affection for [Liberty]. It’s art-driven, democratic luxury. You can come here and buy a notebook or a diamond tiara and we'll treat you the same way. For us, it starts with craft and art, and if you have an eye for it, you’re our target. That builds a very special kind of emotional connection."
At the heart of the anniversary celebrations is Hypernova 150, a limited-edition capsule collection with former Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini. The capsule celebrates both elegance and edge, exactly what Liberty is known for - think Union Jacks and Pea Coats galore.
This piece is a must-read for anyone interested in how legacy retailers evolve without losing their soul. It’s a masterclass in balancing heritage with ambition - and a rare, candid look at what it takes to future-proof one of Britain’s most treasured institutions.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
