In Review, December 2024: Chanel, Boohoo and M&S topped this month’s news agenda

December ushered in a slew of shoppers, hitting high streets and browsing the web as they clamoured to collect last-minute Christmas presents and festive fits. British retail saw a much-needed boost, thanks to the golden quarter.

As for luxury fashion, the biggest announcement of the year arrived as Chanel confirmed Bottega’s Matthieu Blazy would take the helm as its Creative Director. This marks the first external appointment to the role since Karl Lagerfeld was employed to revamp the brand in 1983. But this wasn’t the only talked about appointment of December, Dries Van Noten, Debenhams, Castore and more also made headlines for appointing new leaders.

From new store openings and senior leadership appointments to acquisitions and more, here are some of the news highlights from an action-packed four weeks.

New Openings

M&S opened its first fashion boutique-style store at Battersea Power Station

Marks & Spencer opened its new clothing and beauty boutique-style store at Battersea Power Station. The new store showcases the best of the high street giant’s fashion range for men and women (with an emphasis on its premium lines) as well as an edit of its beauty officer.

The store is located just a stone’s throw away from the M&S Battersea Power Station Foodhall, on the Ground Floor in Turbine Hall B.

Swarovski returned to Regent Street with new WonderLux Boutique

Swarovski unveiled a new boutique in London’s West End, just in time for the festive season. Located at 122 Regent Street, this prestigious address marks a return for the Austrian jeweller and marks the brand’s ninth London store. Spanning three floors and 1,500 sq ft, the boutique features a striking new façade, following Swarovski’s new WonderLux retail concept. The blue interior aims to compliment the radiance of its crystals.

Missoma ramped up store expansion with Marylebone grand opening

Missoma said “Hello Marylebone” as it ramped up expansion, opening its new two-storey flagship in London’s Marylebone Village on 17 December.

The new store was described as an “immersive experience on New Cavendish Street in Marylebone”. It’s a one-stop shop for all things jewellery, with pieces starting from £98.

Online success saw Alo Yoga stretch retail reach to Ireland with new Dublin store

Alo Yoga opened a new 6,738 sq ft store at 62 Grafton Street in Dublin, with thriving online sales in Ireland prompting the move.

The premium Los Angeles-based activewear brand opened its first UK store at 33 King’s Road in London in November 2023, followed by a 10,000 sq ft flagship store at 150 Regent Street and another opening at 75 Brompton Road in August 2024. On 20 December, Alo Yoga opened at 25 Neal Street, on the corner of Earlham Street in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials.

Charles Tyrwhitt

In Pictures: Charles Tyrwhitt opened 50th store in Southampton

British menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt opened its 50th store at the Westquay shopping centre in Southampton. The store stocks the brand’s signature formalwear and smart casualwear, ranging from shirts, suits, polos, knitwear, shoes and accessories.

Big Name Appointments

Matthieu Blazy confirmed as the next Chanel Artistic Director

After much speculation, Chanel confirmed Matthieu Blazy is its next Artistic Director.

Alain Wertheimer, Global Executive Chairman, and Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel, called the designer “one of the most gifted designers of his generation” in a joint statement.

“His vision and talent will reinforce the energy of the brand and our position as a leader in luxury. Under Bruno Pavlovsky’s [Chanel’s President of Fashion] leadership, we are confident that Matthieu Blazy will continue to shape what’s next and write a new page in Chanel’s creation,” they said.

Bottega Veneta named Louise Trotter its next Creative Director

British designer Louise Trotter is to exit Carven in January, the French heritage house where she has been Creative Director for almost two years, and take over from Matthieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta.

Trotter, whose career has taken in stints at Lacoste, Joseph, Gap and Whistles, has been credited with injecting new life and direction into Carven since she joined.

Boohoo veteran promoted to Creative Director of Debenhams

Patrick Duggan was promoted from Head of Creative to Creative Director at Debenhams after four years at Boohoo Group.

Duggan first joined Boohoo Group, which purchased Debenhams in 2021, in July 2020 as Creative Manager at Karen Millen. He worked his way up the ranks, joining Debenhams as Senior Head of Creative in January 2023 before being appointed Creative Director this month.

Belgian Designer Julian Klausner named Dries Van Noten’s successor

Earlier this year, Dries Van Noten sadly announced he was stepping away from his eponymous label. Finally, the Belgian label announced Julian Klausner has been promoted to Creative Director.

In a statement made in March, the Belgian fashion designer, 65, said: “In the early ‘80s, as a young guy from Antwerp, my dream was to have a voice in fashion. Through a journey that brought me to London, Paris and beyond, and with the help of countless supportive people, that dream came true.”

Castore hired a new CCO to propel its ‘next chapter of expansion’

Sportswear brand Castore announced the appointment of Danny Downs as its Chief Commercial Officer as it looks to strengthen its executive team amid expansion.

Downs boasts 15 years of commercial expertise. He previously worked at Fanatics International, where he was Head of Commercial Development and the company’s first General Manager. Despite difficult market headwinds, he delivered “strong” growth for the brand during his leadership tenure.

Jack Wolfskin appointed a slew of new leadership from Adidas and Apple

Outdoor apparel specialist, Jack Wolfskin, reshuffled its leadership team with the appointment of a new CFO, SVP of Product & Marketing, Head of Retail Operations and General Manager for China.

The new leadership appointments aim to “advance the brand’s next phase of growth”, according to Jack Wolfskin.

Burberry appointed rival Moncler’s Chief Chinese Business Officer to its board

Burberry appointed Moncler’s Chief Chinese Business Officer, Stella King, as an independent Non-Executive Director member of the Nomination Committee as rumours that the rival outerwear business is considering a takeover bid swirl. King’s new position will be effective from 1 April 2025.

She is currently at Moncler, which she joined thirteen years ago in 2011 as President of Asia Pacific. In January 2022 she moved to the role of Chief Chinese Business Officer, which she will step down from on 31 December 2024.

N Brown poached Jasper Conran Director as Group Head of Merchandising

Simply Be, JD Williams and Jacamo fashion retailer N Brown appointed Jasper Conran’s Trading and Logistics Director, Jo Parker, as its new Group Head of Merchandising.

Parker has spent the past four years and four months in her role at Jasper Conran. Prior to that, she was at Debenhams for almost 12 years, the last three as Head of Merchandise Planning.

Harvey Nichols tapped Net-A-Porter for Chief Merchant

Amid a push to revamp the business under new CEO Julia Goddard, Harvey Nichols hired Katie Benson, Senior Buying Director at Net-A-Porter, as its Chief Merchant.

Benson has been with YNAP since 2017, starting at The Outnet as Buying Manager, followed by Head of Buying, before joining Net-A-Porter in 2022 as Head of Buying RTW before being promoted to Buying Director in January 2023.

Frasers Continues Making Headlines

Frasers has earned its very own section as there is never a dull moment when it comes to the British retail supergroup and this month was no different. Frasers’ showdown with Boohoo continued as it fought for a boardroom seat.

Frasers Boohoo

Boohoo grants Frasers a place on its board – but not for Mike Ashley

Earlier this month, Boohoo offered its largest shareholder Frasers Group a seat on its board – but not for the retail tycoon Mike Ashley, Frasers Group’s founder.

The online fashion group said on Friday that it was willing to have “constructive” talks about Frasers joining its board. But it said current nominees, Ashley and Mike Lennon, a restructuring expert, would have “irreconcilable conflicts of interest”.

A week later, on 20 December, Boohoo Group confirmed that shareholders have “overwhelmingly” voted against the appointment of Mike Ashley and Mike Lennon as directors at the fashion giant. The results of the General Meeting revealed that approximately 63.7% of shareholders voted against both resolutions previously proposed by Frasers Group.

The decision came after Boohoo Group had been subject to a campaign by Ashley to get himself installed as CEO. This was cut short when Boohoo appointed Dan Finley, former boss at Debenhams, which is owned by the group, in November.