Editors' Top Reads: News from Frasers Group, Mars The Label, Bay Garnett and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
How I started in fashion: Stylist, writer and Oxfam Ambassador Bay Garnett
Pre-loved fashion is now mainstream across all ages and all prices, to the point that now it's positively infra dig to be seen in head-to-toe new clothing. This wasn't always so, and it most certainly wasn't the case when stylist and writer Bay Garnett began her career.
Her first career move took her to New York, where she fell in love with its numerous thrift stores, which she spent hours scouring for one-off items to pair with designer looks for her clients and shoots.
While working for British Vogue, then editor Alexandra Shulman, placed faith in Garnett's taste and eye and allowed her to use her thrifted treasures in the magazine's pages. This was revolutionary at the time, since editorial content was heavily dictated by who was advertising in any given issue.
Far from being turned off, luxury brands fed off the Garnett's stories. Famously, she styled Kate Moss in a 2004 shoot in a $5 banana print top. Versions of this top found their way onto Phoebe Philo's Chloé catwalk and created an instant best-seller, which are still sought-after on the secondary market today.
On top of this, Garnett has undertaken pioneering work with charity Oxfam to stage a regular pre-loved fashion catwalk show at London Fashion Week and has spearheaded the Secondhand September initiative.
In the latest in our new 'How I started in fashion' feature series, Garnett tells us about her career journey so far, what she loves about working in fashion and what the future might hold. Have a read here, you won't regret it.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
The Interview: Arianna Ajtar on 10 years of Mars The Label
I'vebeen exploring Manchester’s independent fashion scene over the past few months, and what’s clear is that the city is quietly becoming a powerhouse for creative, globally minded brands. Mars The Label, celebrating its 10th anniversary, perfectly embodies that spirit.
From Arianna Ajtar designing in her dad’s garage in Bolton to building an internationally recognised label, the brand reflects both Manchester’s grit and its growing influence in fashion beyond London.
Ajtar captures the city’s ethos perfectly: "There’s a deep creative passion in Manchester that I believe derives from northern grit. Mancunians are grafters through and through. We all want each other to win because we know how hard it is to put yourself out there and take a risk."
That collaborative, supportive energy is palpable in Mars’s design approach, community-first strategy, and commitment to making women feel confident and seen.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
Frasers Group acquires majority share in Italy’s Maxi Sport as European expansion continues
I was wondering how far into 2026 we were going get before hearing of another Frasers Group acquisition, this time flexing its retail muscles in Italy by taking a majority share in Maxi Sport – which operates 18 stores across the country.
Of course, that also gives Frasers Group the footing in which to “unlock additional growth opportunities for Sports Direct stores in the region in future”.
In keeping with the company’s elevation strategy, according to Frasers Group CEO Michael Murray, “Maxi Sport represents the pinnacle of premium sports retail in Italy”, so we can assume any future Sports Direct stores in Italy will continue to raise the bar.
The announcement comes soon after Frasers Group acquired Hervis Hungary and Hervis Romania, adding over 75 stores to the group’s portfolio in Central Europe. Expect Sports Direct stores to be popping up there too in 2026 and beyond.
What’s still not clear is what Frasers Group intends to do with struggling Norwegian sporting goods retailer XXL, which it took control of in May 2025.
Further afield, Frasers Group also laid the foundations to expand throughout South Asia and India when it completed a partnership deal in March 2025 with MAP Active – a sports, fashion and distributor operator in South Asia – to launch Sports Direct in five new markets, unlocking ambitious growth plans to open over 350 stores in the region long-term.
Following that, in April 2025 Frasers Group announced a strategic partnership with Accent Group to launch and operate 100 Sports Direct across Australia and New Zealand.
Who’d have thought that the absolute retail beast that is Frasers Group, which also operates all the Flannels stores and has significant stakes in Hugo Boss, Debenhams Group and ASOS, was started from a single old school sports shop by Mike Ashley in Maidenhead in 1982? Quite incredible really.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
Sheer, nude and neutral: Trends from 2026 Grammy Awards
While the Grammy Awards - often hailed as the "biggest night in music" - celebrate outstanding artistry and performances, the fashion on the red carpet is always a headline of its own.
At the 2026 Grammys, many stars embraced the sheer, nude, and neutral trends that are dominating this awards season. Sheer ensembles were undeniably eye-catching, but political statements also made a bold impact: celebrities including Justin and Hailey Bieber wore “Ice Out” pins in protest of immigration crackdowns.
Chappell Roan fully committed to the daring barely-there trend, letting a nipple piercing become the focal point of her look, which paid homage to Thierry Mugler’s spring/summer 1998 designs. Sabrina Carpenter took a more understated approach to sheer fashion, wearing a bridalesque, tiered Valentino gown that exuded elegance.
FKA Twigs embraced the neutral nude palette in a custom Paolo Carzana dress, accessorized with metallic vine embellishments, sky-high platform heels wrapped in tights, a book, and a striking red peace lily. Meanwhile, Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean turned heads in a dramatic black-and-white Chanel gown, featuring a sequin bodice and a full, feathered, embellished skirt.
Discover more about this year’s red carpet trends here.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
