Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
PrettyLittleThing sale on the table as Debenhams Group pursues turnaround
It’s easy to see why Debenhams Group would earmark PrettyLittleThing for sale as it pursues a turnaround strategy, but less easy to see who would want to buy it.
The brand was established by Boohoo Group (now Debenhams Group) co-founder Mahmud Kamani’s son Umar and, originally, was barely indistinguishable from its main Boohoo brand, save for its use of high profile celebrities in its promotions. Kamani junior was very smart in his leveraging of celebrity and influencer culture and even had an outpost in LA to exploit it.
The clothes were flash and flesh-baring and, when tastes moved on in the post-pandemic era towards quiet luxury, the brand turned to another celebrity, Molly-Mae Hague, to head up its creative direction and shift to this aesthetic. Hague stepped down after a year and had more success establishing her own brand. Umar Kamani left too in 2023 but returned recently to try to turn it around, doubling down on the toned down perspective. It clearly hasn’t worked, or at least not quickly enough.
The then Boohoo Group paid Kamani junior £260 million to purchase the shares it didn’t already own in PLT back in 2020. Perhaps he can use some of those proceeds to buy it back again?
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
M&S debuts resale platform on eBay with pre-loved fashion focus
Although I’ve been on annual leave for most of this week – largely switched off and spending time exploring Scotland – one news story that still caught my eye was Marks & Spencer’s launch of a dedicated clothing resale service in partnership with eBay.
Through a new official M&S x eBay store, customers can now trade in their pre-loved clothing, footwear, and accessories. Powered by resale partner Reskinned, these items are refurbished and made available for purchase, with 15% of the profits donated to Oxfam.
Marks & Spencer has become one of my favourites – not just for its refreshed styles, but also for its lasting quality. I always shop with longevity in mind, and this new initiative supports that even further.
It also comes with an added incentive: for each return that includes at least one M&S-labelled item, customers receive £5 off a £35+ spend on fashion, home, or beauty products online. Well done M&S!
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
The Interview: The duo behind underwear disrupter Stripe & Stare on creating ‘world’s most comfortable knickers’
Have you ever tried Stripe & Stare? Take it from someone who has… its promise – ‘world’s most comfortable knickers’ – isn’t a far stretch. But, not only are they ridiculously comfortable, they’re sustainable and stylish too. What more could you want?
Founders Katie Lopes and Nicola Piercy spotted the gap between Victoria’s Secret fantasy lingerie and the dreaded granny pants, and spent six years perfecting the ultimate pair. The secret? Tencel Modal, a “miracle fibre” that’s softer than cotton, breathable, and sustainably sourced.
What started as a niche idea is now a market disruptor: stocked in Selfridges, M&S and Shopbop, backed by 60,000 five-star reviews.
But it’s not just about knickers. Stripe & Stare shows that sustainability can be mainstream. It’s proudly B Corp, keeps prices accessible for daily wear and builds slowly but smartly.
I sat down with Lopes and Piercy to hear how they rocked the boat, finally getting women to try something new, rather than turning to legacy players. They discuss how they reimagined an everyday essential, the strategy behind their wholesale and DTC growth, and what’s next for Stripe & Stare. Read the full interview here.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
TheIndustry.fashion Awards Winners’ Interview: Collette Flood, founder and Managing Director, Orelia
In this series, TheIndustry.fashion continues to celebrate the achievements of the winning brands from TheIndustry.fashion Awards 2025 through a collection of dedicated interviews.
With the Awards dedicated to People, Planet & Purpose, we set out to uncover the strategies driving positive change in the industry – from sustainable and circular practices to strategies amplifying diverse voices and supporting community and charitable causes.
Within the Planet category, Orelia won the award for Sustainable Sourcing (Intimates & Accessories). Founder and Managing Director Collette Flood discusses the brand’s approach to sustainable sourcing, the biggest challenges it faces in sourcing sustainably, why brands and retailers should be championing people, planet, and purpose today – and much more! Read the full interview here.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.