Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
Marks & Spencer reports Christmas sales surge as fashion grows market share
I’m going to start with the good news (before winding myself up about “that budget” yet again). Marks & Spencer had a great Christmas. After years of writing about how this business was under-performing, it is nothing short of a joy to write about it doing so well.
Yes, I know the Christmas surge in sales of 5.6% was largely driven by food. But clothing, home and beauty were up 1% and it grew market share in fashion. So, reading between the lines, I think the clothing part of the equation has done very well, particularly since CEO Stuart Machin (above) highlighted home and beauty as markets wether there was plenty more growth to be had.
M&S didn’t just do well with partywear but denim and knitwear also did well, thanks to “offering customers the best style, quality and value”. It’s also turning more full-price stock more quickly with collections from the likes of Sienna Miller and Bella Freud upping its style credibility.
Having reported this good news, it was then depressing to hear Stuart Machin (along with many of his peers on the high street) talk about the potential of price rises and express caution around hiring new staff due to the extra costs imposed on businesses as a result of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Budget. Increases in minimum wage and employers’ national insurance contributions have imposed costs of tens of millions of pounds in some cases, with big retailers badly hit. I can’t begin to say how depressing it is to finally be writing about one of the most impressive retail turnarounds in recent memory, only to see the outstanding efforts of M&S executives and staff be derailed by our own Government. I’m really hoping lessons have been learnt and we can see a pro-growth agenda from Number 10 and 11 very soon.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
Recycled gowns, sequins, and men with brooches: Trends from the 2025 Golden Globes
Oh, I do love awards season. As both a film buff and fashion enthusiast, there’s something so exciting about it all! So, best believe I headed straight to social media on Monday morning following the 2025 Golden Globes, hooked by all the trends, key moments and celeb gossip – I know I’m not the only one obsessed with Zendaya and Tom Holland getting engaged – what a ring!
As for the fashion, our lovely content writer Katie Ross delved into the event’s top style trends. Unsurprisingly, metallic, gold-adjacent gowns were a winner on the pre-ceremony carpet, as were sequins. However, as fashion’s environmental impact becomes ever more pronounced, I was most interested to hear that archival and recycled looks were also popular on the red carpet.
Ariana Grande, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in Wicked, opted for an archival pale yellow Givenchy gown from Hubert de Givenchy’s SS66 collection. Meanwhile, Anya Taylor-Joy turned to the Dior archives for a blush-pink silk slip dress. Also in archival or recycled looks were Cate Blanchett in Louis Vuitton, Viola Davis in Gucci and Elle Fanning in Balmain. Read more about the trends from the 2025 Golden Globes here.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Y/Project shuttered after failing to find buyer
Despite bracing myself for impact, it still came as a shock when Y/Project announced it would be shuttering permanently after 14 years. The Parisian fashion brand, known for its playful proportions and sartorial wit, failed to find a buyer after it was placed under receivership by a Paris commercial court following the death of Gilles Elalouf, who co-founded the brand with the late Yohan Serfaty, and the departure of Creative Director Glenn Martens.
A statement read: “It is with great gratitude and sadness that the Y/Project team announces we will be officially closing the brand after 14 incredible years. We could not have achieved such success without the unwavering support of our Y/P partners, collaborators, and fans and we cannot extend enough thanks to you all for your unwavering dedication throughout the years.”
Y/Project is the latest brand to fall victim to the slowdown in luxury spending. It adds to a slew of closures from similarly fated brands such as Mara Hoffman, The Vampire’s Wife, Calvin Luo and Dion Lee, to name a few.
Although it became impossible to imagine a Y/Project without Martens’ leadership, it’s still a bittersweet finale as wave goodbye to yet another independent fashion brand.
Chloé Burney, Senior Features Writer.
Kendall Jenner fronts campaign for new Adanola capsule collection
It looks like Manchester-based activewear and athleisure brand Adanola may have struck gold by calling on the services of American model, entrepreneur and influencer Kendall Jenner to front its new capsule collection.
The story and photos were this week picked up by the tabloids including The Independent, The Sun – which said she looked “incredible” – and the Daily Mail, as well as women’s magazines including Cosmopolitan, Harper’s BAZAAR and Marie Claire – that’s quite some mix for starters, and that’s not even taking into account the spin it sent social media in.
The journalist from Marie Claire, Penny Goldstone, even declared: “I’m not an activewear fan but I’ll be buying all of Kendall Jenner’s Adanola edit,” while Cosmopolitan’s Megan Uy simply said: “I need everything.”
The product does indeed look good, and Jenner looks great with her chic, chin-length bob and toned physique. But it’s not just the figure-hugging sports bras and leggings that she models so well, she even pulls off looking fab in a ¼ zip oversized pullover fleece sweatshirt with Adanola lettering on the front.
Adanola founder, Hyrum Cook, said: “Kendall represents the modern Adanola woman – effortlessly stylish, adaptable, and always on the go. We’re thrilled to have her bring our vision for this collection to life, as she perfectly embodies the blend of form and function we strive for in every piece.” You get the feeling that this might not be the first time she models for the brand.
A thumbs up also to photographer Sean Thomas and stylist Carlos Nazario for their shoot in Los Angeles, and fair play for Adanola for going for glory with one of the favourites of the Kardashian clan. Keep up with that.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
