With the end of the year approaching, FashionUnited traditionally looks back on the stories of the past year. This is a selection of interviews worth reading published in 2024.
Why scent marketing in fashion stores leaves you wanting more
February – A subtle fresh scent that ensures customers linger longer or strange food or even sweat odors in the store? You would say that the choice was made quite quickly. The effect of scent, in general but also in retail, is sometimes underestimated, even though it has a powerful sensation. That is why FashionUnited speaks with Transduce about the opportunities of scent marketing in stores, which scents work well and what unexpected positive effects a scent can have.
Written by Caitlyn Terra. You can read it here.
Logistics expert on the situation on the Red Sea: “You must have alternatives”
March – After significant transport delays during the corona crisis, sea transports from Asia are now experiencing delays due to the crisis situation in the Red Sea and specifically in the Suez Canal. One of the effects of the situation is that delivery times will increase by an extra ten to fourteen days because ships detour via South Africa. FashionUnited speaks with logistics professor Jan Fransoo about the impact on the fashion industry, how the situation is different than during the pandemic and about solutions.
Written by Caitlyn Terra. You can read it here.
Founder Tess V about the third store opening and doing business in challenging times
March – When she was sixteen, Tess Verwoert approached her father with the idea of opening an online shop. To her surprise, he was immediately enthusiastic and she was given the green light to start her own company in addition to her HAVO. “That’s where I started, with one rack of purchased clothes,” laughs Verwoert, not yet knowing that she would be running a multi-million dollar company at the age of 24. Because in eight years, her webshop grew into a fashion brand that is loved by young girls. Tess V now has two stores and will add a third location to the list at the beginning of April. FashionUnited chats with the founder about the new store, business operations and future plans.
Written by Sylvana Lijbaart. You can read it here.
Eleven years after the Rana Plaza disaster: Where is the industry now?
April – Eleven years ago, on April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building collapsed in Savar, Bangladesh. More than 1,100 garment workers were killed and more than 2,500 people were injured. All these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if the five garment factories in the building had been evacuated in time, as well as the other businesses in the building, including a bank and shops.
Written by Simone Preuss. You can read it here.
“Modest fashion is one of the bold fashion trends worldwide” – Modest Fashion Week CEO
June – Regardless of one’s reason for covering up – protection from a harsh environment or unwanted attention, personal or cultural reasons – modest fashion has been around since the dawn of fashion and can be found in everyone’s wardrobe – whether they call it ‘modest’ or not .
Written by Simone Preuss. You can read it here.
Six years of Fashion for Good Museum: How do you tell the story of sustainable fashion?
June – The Fashion for Good museum closes its doors. After six years of putting sustainable textile and fashion stories in the spotlight, the Fashion for Good organization will focus on other initiatives. However, in those six years, FFG has learned enough about exhibiting these stories and how to make sustainability accessible. The organization shares the insights in a conversation with FashionUnited.
Written by Caitlyn Terra. You can read it here.
Parent company Scotch & Soda breaks silence: CEO on store openings, partners and growth
July – The originally Dutch brand Scotch & Soda has been owned by the American Bluestar Alliance since the beginning of 2023. Things remained quiet for a long time since that takeover, even when the Northern European retail branch turned out to be bankrupt in June 2024. Bluestar Alliance CEO and co-founder Joseph Gabbay is now breaking the silence.
Written by Caitlyn Terra. You can read it here.
New generation: Why these children do take over their parents’ fashion store
September – Family businesses in fashion have been under pressure for years due to challenges such as online competition and rising costs. In recent years, several fashion entrepreneurs have had to close their doors because they cannot find a successor. FashionUnited speaks to four children of first-generation fashion entrepreneurs who choose to take over their parents’ business. What motivates them to do this in these difficult times, and how do they future-proof the company?
Written by Susan Zijp. You can read it here.
Compression socks with a doping effect: Founder and CEO of Stox talk about the road to success
November – Compression socks, whether used in sports, leisure or for medical purposes; they are not sexy accessories. Caspar Disselhoff thought so too. So, almost ten years ago he founded Stox Energy Socks – the company that makes compression socks hip with medical technology and a stylish appearance. Stox launches online with its own webshop and quickly experiences rapid growth. The company expanded further through wholesale a few years ago. Fifty percent of turnover is now generated in the Netherlands and the rest comes from abroad. The company now wants to continue its internationalization drive. FashionUnited catches up virtually with Disselhoff and Stijn Nuijten (CEO).
Written by Sylvana Lijbaart. You can read it here.
This is how O My Bag CEO Paulien Wesselink tackles corporate social responsibility
November – As a child, Paulien Wesselink often wondered why she couldn’t invite the entire class to her birthday party. “I never liked excluding people,” the founder and CEO says with a smile in a video call with FashionUnited. This early example of social responsibility formed the basis for what would later become O My Bag, a Dutch bag brand focused on social impact in India.
Written by Susan Zijp. You can read it here.
Stay or leave? Career questions in a changing fashion world
November – The fashion industry has had a turbulent year. Some companies are struggling with bankruptcies and declining revenues, while others are raising and expanding their forecasts. In uncertain times, some employees also ask themselves questions about their career and future. Should you stay loyal to a company during a crisis and when is it time to look for a new job? In this interview we look for answers to these questions with headhunter Nabila Staschel. She reminds us that people can acquire valuable skills, especially in times of crisis.
Written by Weixin Zha. You can read it here.
Sneaker expert: ‘The trend is moving towards the anti-trend’
November – Amadeus Thüner is one of the best-known sneaker experts in Germany, with almost 20 years of experience in the industry. In an interview with FashionUnited, he looks ahead to the coming trends, shares his dream collaboration and shows that “sneakerheads” don’t just have sports shoes in their closet.
Written by Ole Spötter. You can read it here.
