In Review, March 2025: ZARA, Loewe and PrettyLittleThing topped this month's news agenda

Chloe Burney

31 March 2025

As March comes to a close, TheIndustry.fashion takes a retrospective look on the bustling month of major appointments, store openings and more.

On the back of fashion month, you'd expect some solace. But alas, the retail industry has another thing in mind. Spoiler alert: there have been even more Creative Director appointments at luxury fashion houses. As for the high street, Topshop teased its return, sending a wave of frenzied Millenials to Soho to hunt down freebies and gift cards as they await the beloved retailer's comeback.

From openings to closures, appointments to promotions, TheIndustry.fashion has compiled a selection of the month's biggest fashion news.

New openings

ZARA opened flagship store in the former Debenhams at Glasgow’s Silverburn

ZARA opened its highly anticipated upsized store at the Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow, formerly a Debenhams department store. Spanning 50,000 sq ft and set over two floors, the new store boasts an expanded range of womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.

The unit has been "transformed with a new façade and flagship design" while featuring ZARA's latest store concept and integrated online services.

Birkenstock stepped onto the King's Road with its famous footwear in tow

Birkenstock, which celebrated its 250th anniversary last year, and its buckled sandals stepped into London's Chelsea with a new store on the iconic King's Road.

Birkenstock, the renowned German footwear brand founded in 1774 brought its famous footbeds to the heart of Chelsea in a "thoughtfully designed space" that will serve as a destination for footbed enthusiasts, loyal fans and new customers. The store reflects Birkenstock’s commitment to premium craftsmanship, heritage and innovation—empowering people to ‘walk as nature intended’. Here, shoppers can explore Birkenstock’s iconic sandals, shoes and more.

Who needs four stores on Oxford Street? Pandora does

Pandora, the Danish jewellery brand known for its silver charm bracelets, is today adding a fourth store to its portfolio of Oxford Street locations. But this store isn't like the three that came before it, it boasts a 'bold, custom store typology' - the first of its kind in London.

As the first of its kind in London, the store features Pandora’s first fully tiled façade, with a striking entrance and window portals that maximise transparency, aka marketing visibility. Inside, the layout has been specifically designed to showcase Pandora’s elevated collections, such as Lab-Grown Diamonds.

Vinted

Vinted launched a second-hand luxury fashion pop-up in London

Pre-loved fashion marketplace Vinted launched its first-ever second-hand luxury fashion pop-up in London on 22 March at The Adria hotel, 88 Queen’s Gate in South Kensington, called ‘House of Vinted’.

By invitation only, Vinted members were able to explore themed rooms with curated wardrobes from international luxury style creators including Susie Lau, Victoria Magrath, Simran Randhawa, Giulia Valentina and Keiona Revlon. Each room featured fashion pieces and accessories sourced through Vinted, from Vinted’s archives or the creators’ own personal wardrobes. The wardrobes included brands such as Prada, Gucci, Maison Margiela, Jacquemus and The Row.

Big name appointments

Jil Sander threw a curveball naming Simone Bellotti Creative Director

Jil Sander announced the appointment of Bally's Simone Bellotti to the role of Creative Director after months of speculation that Daniel Lee would take the coveted top spot.

Simone Bellotti joined Jil Sander, which is owned by the OTB Group, following a tenure as Creative Director at Bally, where he refreshed the storied brand. He is known for his obsession with detail and archival references, delving into research to inform his designs.

Demna Gucci

Gucci appointed Demna as artistic director: "his creative power is exactly what we need"

After 10 years at Kering stablemate Balenciaga, fashion maverick Demna is making the move to Gucci. Kering said that the Georgian designer would be taking over the creative direction of Italy's largest luxury house, officially ending its experiment with quiet luxury under its short-lived former Artistic Director, Sabato De Sarno, who lasted less than two years.

Demna, who made his name in fashion as the co-founder of the Vetements label, made huge waves at Balenciaga with his exaggerated silhouettes and his subversive take on streetwear. According to Kering chairman and CEO, François-Henri Pinault: “His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs."

Miguel Castro Freitas succeeds Casey Cadwallader at Mugler

Mugler, renowned for its fantastical fashion featuring curved lines and figure-revealing mesh, announced Miguel Castro Freitas is its new Creative Director, effective 1 April.

The seasoned unknown graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2004 and has since held senior design roles at Sportmax, Dries Van Noten, Christian Dior Couture, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Lanvin. He will show his first Mugler collection during Paris Fashion Week this September.

Confirmed: Design duo behind Proenza Schouler are off to Loewe

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandes, the duo who founded New York-based Proenza Schouler back in the year 2002, were appointed the Creative Directors at Loewe, effective 7 April.

The design duo succeed Jonathan Anderson, who announced he was stepping down last week after 11 years at the Spanish luxury brand’s helm. Loewe announced McCollough and Hernandez would carry "the entire creative responsibility of all Loewe collections across womenswear, menswear, leather goods and accessories" to WWD.

lvmh

Frédéric Arnault took over Loro Piana amongst flurry of LVMH appointments

Frédéric Arnault (pictured), the second youngest son of LVMH's owner Bernard Arnault, is set to become the new CEO of the company's unsung hero - Loro Piana. The appointment follows a flurry of changes within the luxury conglomerate, reinforcing its strategy to promote from within.

Meanwhile, Damien Bertrand, currently CEO of Loro Piana, will transition to Louis Vuitton as Deputy CEO, while Fendi CEO Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou will become Deputy CEO of Christian Dior Couture.

Matalan appointed Chief Product, Brand & Commercial Officer amid transformation

Matalan announced the appointment of Sarah Welsh to the new role of Chief Product, Brand & Commercial Officer.

Welsh joined Matalan with nearly 30 years of experience in the retail industry. Before joining Matalan, she spent five years as Retail CEO at digital clothing retailer N Brown Group, where she transformed the Group’s traditional catalogue offer and moved the business to a more agile digital footing. Prior to this, she was Managing Director of Oasis Fashion and held senior buying roles at Miss Selfridge and River Island.

Sainsbury's appointed new Clothing Managing Director Ben Smith to revamp Tu

Sainsbury's appointed Ben Smith, Matalan's former Chief Trading Officer, as its Clothing Managing Director to lead Tu.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told TheIndustry.fashion: "We’re pleased to be welcoming Ben Smith to Sainsbury’s later this year, to take up the role of Clothing Managing Director. Ben brings substantial clothing retail experience and will be an excellent addition to the business. He will report to Rhian Bartlett, Chief Commercial Officer."