In Review, January 2026: Headline highlights from Valentino, SKIMS and more...

Chloe Burney

30 January 2026

As January drew to a close, TheIndustry.fashion reflects on a month that underscored both the emotional weight and strategic shifts shaping fashion and retail at the start of 2026.

The industry paused to mark the passing of Valentino Garavani and Paul Costelloe, two designers whose legacies helped define decades of fashion.

January also delivered a pivotal creative moment as Jonathan Anderson made his couture debut for Dior, signalling a new chapter for the house and luxury's next phase.

On the business front, acquisition activity continued to reshape the British retail landscape, with NEXT’s purchase of Russell & Bromley highlighting the ongoing consolidation of heritage brands as operators seek scale, stability and long-term relevance.

TheIndustry.fashion reflects on another headline-grabbing month in British retail and beyond, from openings to big-name appointments.

New openings

From LA to London: Edikted opens first store outside US

US fashion brand Edikted is set to open its first UK and European standalone store on Carnaby Street, marking a significant step in the brand’s international expansion as it moves beyond its US retail footprint.

The digital-native womenswear brand has signed for a 4,800 sq ft flagship at 52-55 Carnaby Street opposite TALA. The opening signals Edikted’s formal entry into the UK market, previously only available online via ASOS.

Mango grew London footprint to capture key growth market

Mango opened a new 6,673 sq ft store on London’s Kensington High Street, marking its 24th site in the capital.

The Spanish fashion giant sees London as “a priority growth market”, having opened 10 locations across the capital in the past three years. Its sales in London represent around 40% of Mango’s total UK sales.

Lululemon headed to Birmingham’s Bullring for first Midlands store

Canadian activewear brand Lululemon is set to make its Midlands debut at Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre, as it continues its UK retail expansion.

The new 5,700 sq ft store will showcase Lululemon’s latest range of activewear products for yoga, running, training, tennis and golf across womenswear, menswear and accessories.

Alo opened Northern store as popularity in UK skyrockets

LA-based wellness and activewear brand Alo expanded its UK footprint, opening its second store in the North of England at Victoria Leeds.

The 6,707 sq ft space is situated on a prominent corner within Victoria Quarter. The store brings the brand’s signature studio-to-street aesthetic to Leeds, blending industrial finishes with warm finishes.

Primark headed to Wimbledon for first new London store in 10 years

Primark is taking over part of the former Debenhams unit in the Wimbledon Quarter Shopping Centre in South West London, its first store in the capital for almost a decade.

Formerly Centre Court Shopping Centre, next to Wimbledon train and tube station, Wimbledon Quarter underwent a major refurbishment in 2023.

Inditex expanded Yorkshire presence with Stradivarius and Pull&Bear debuts

Spanish retail giant Inditex strengthened its foothold at Meadowhall with the regional debut of two of its youth-focused brands, as Stradivarius and Pull&Bear signed for new flagship stores at the South Yorkshire destination.

The latest signings will see the fashion group’s total footprint at Meadowhall exceed 70,000 sq ft, joining existing stores from Zara and Bershka.

Big name appointments

Givenchy named ex-Stella McCartney boss as CEO in latest LVMH reshuffle

Givenchy named fashion and beauty veteran Amandine Ohayon as its new Chief Executive Officer as parent group LVMH continues to recalibrate senior leadership across its fashion division.

Ohayon succeeds Alessandro Valenti, who will move to Christian Dior Couture as Deputy Managing Director in charge of commercial activities, according to WWD. These moves underscore the group’s preference for internal mobility across its luxury portfolio.

Liberty named buying and merchandising director as new MD for Retail

Liberty appointed Lydia King as Managing Director of Retail, succeeding Sarah Coonan, who leaves the British department store at the end of this month.

King was most recently Group Buying & Merchandising Director at Liberty, where she played a "central" role in shaping the retailer’s buying strategy and led teams across fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

SKIMS hired Chief People Officer to lead ‘talent operations and company culture’

Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand appointed human resources (HR) veteran Kim Seymour as Chief People Officer to lead ‘talent operations, organisational design and company culture’, reporting directly to CEO and co-founder Jens Grede.

Seymour has worked in HR for almost three decades and most recently founded and ran Leadership Amplified, a strategic HR advisory company working with CEOs, executives and boards on “complex talent challenges”.

Finisterre appointed Superdry veteran as Head of Retail

Finisterre appointed Joe Ward as its new Head of Retail, bringing nearly 18 years of experience at Superdry to the growing British outdoor brand as it accelerates its UK store expansion.

Ward joined Finisterre from Superdry, where he most recently served as Head of International Retail and Global Retail Support, a role he held from late 2024 until January 2026. Before that, he spent four years as Head of Global Retail Support, overseeing operational strategy across the brand’s global retail estate.

Gabriela Hearst names long-serving executive as President to lead growth

Gabriela Hearst announced the appointment of Michele Cohen as President as the brand entered its next phase of global growth.

The newly defined role reflects the company’s continued commercial momentum and will support its long-term expansion across markets, channels and categories. As President, Cohen will lead the brand’s global commercial strategy, overseeing wholesale, retail and e-commerce.

Diesel appointed new CEO as brand entered next phase of transformation

Diesel appointed Andrea Rigogliosi as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership reset for the Italian brand nearly three years after the departure of its last permanent CEO.

He joined at a pivotal moment for Diesel as it looks to stabilise management and build on renewed cultural momentum under Creative Director Glenn Martens.

Fast Retailing taps former Marni Creative Director to refresh Uniqlo

Uniqlo's parent company, Fast Retailing, is sharpening its fashion credentials. The Japanese retail group has appointed Francesco Risso as Creative Director of GU while confirming he will also design a new collaboration line for Uniqlo, set to launch in 2026.

Interviews, features and comments

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that Italian designer Valentino Garavani, known mononymously as Valentino – founder and former creative director of his eponymous fashion house - will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards 2023.