Maria Hvorostovsky

The relentless rise of Secondhand As I was told when I launched STUART TREVOR last year - “It’s nothing new!” Personally I’ve been obsessed with vintage clothing all my life and having set parameters for my new business of creating something amazing from other people’s waste has been the most rewarding and fun part of my career - so far! Asked many times about building another All Saints; ‘There are far too many clothes in the world already, the last thing the world needs is another clothing brand – what about a clothing brand that doesn’t produce any clothes?’ Stuart Trevor STUART TREVOR, an amazing range of clothes created from recycled clothing or dead stock fabric. Our mission is to make it easier and more fun to wear non destructive clothing ‘Reworked, rebranded, cut up, distressed, and reimagined with care – patched, printed, hand painted, sprayed, washed and embroidered, often with “less is more” in mind.’ There’s a huge supply of vintage clothing ready to be given new life, millions of metres of “dead stock” fabric either lying around in fabric mills or ending up in landfill. ‘We turn this ‘dead stock’ into ‘living stock’. Every 7 minutes a pile of clothes the height of Mount Everest goes into landfill - Fast Fashion is killing the planet and now is the time to act - we cannot carry on with this conspicuous consumption - the world cannot afford Fast Fashion. When my daughter saw this statistic a few years ago she said that can’t be true Dad, otherwise no kid on earth would carry on buying from these huge corporations - when she realised it’s a fact she asked me what are we gonna do about it?  “We’re gonna create a clothing brand that doesn’t produce any clothing!” I learn more and more about the huge impact that humans are having on the environment and last week someone sent me this poignant quote from many years ago; “We haven’t inherited this earth from our parents, we’ve borrowed it from our children” Chief Seattle #secondhand #vintage #preloved #circular #circulareconomy #business #design #innovation #fun

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Passenger Clothing: 0 To Soon £100M In Sales In 12 Years We had the opportunity to chat with the founder Richard Sutcliffe about his journey, lessons, struggles and successes. In this episode, we talk about: 👕 Why Passenger was founded - Learn about the unique origins of the brand and how personal passion and global travels sparked its creation. 🌿 Sustainability at its core - Richard discusses how Passenger is pioneering in eco-friendly practices and responsible fashion, striving to give back to the planet. 🌍 Global inspiration, local action - Explore how influences from the Pacific Northwest and Canada have sculpted Passenger’s distinctive style. 📈 Business growth and challenges - Hear about the hurdles they've overcome and the strategies that propelled Passenger from a modest startup to a million-pound business.  🚀 Future horizons - Get insights into Passenger’s future plans for expansion and how they continue to innovate in the fashion industry. Here is the latest episode of the Apparel Entrepreneurship Podcast: https://lnkd.in/d3G9aGXt #podcast #founderstory #successstory #brandbuilding

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In our state of the nation report, we feature Grace Beverley the Founder & CEO of sustainable activewear brand, TALA! Named first in Forbes 30 Under 30 Retail for accelerating sustainable fashion, Grace is also the author of Sunday Times bestseller, Working Hard, Hardly Working, and host of the eponymous podcast. "📚 The first step is education, ensuring that at school all pupils are taught about the different avenues into entrepreneurship; how to pitch, how funding works, and the basics of investing. 🚺 Even more importantly, the system needs to change. So many women are pushed out of entrepreneurship because of the lack of access to funding, both on a VC level and in securing angel investment. It still astounds me that only 2% of all investment goes to female founders in the UK, particularly considering that when they do get investment, female-founded businesses outperform those of their male peers. 💸 Until the government makes funding more accessible and addresses the systemic bias in the investment landscape, young women will still be climbing barriers even to start on their entrepreneurial journey." ⬇️ Check out the full report to discover the investment data and trends shaping the future of UK tech startups and founders in the age of AI. https://lnkd.in/eXPZzKNF Marco De Novellis | Francesca Arese Lucini #TNReport2024 #UKTech #AgeOfAI #Tech #Startups #Insights

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The *Mckinsey State of Fashion 2025* report outlines a fast evolving marketplace are some key insights and strategies from the report: 1. Economic Sensitivity and Market Adjustments*With heightened price sensitivity due to recent inflation, consumers are leaning toward more affordable alternatives, like "dupes," and demand is shifting. 2. Localized Strategies and Broadened Offerings Fashion brands are adapting by localizing market approaches, 3.Enhanced In-Store Experience As in-store shopping returns to pre-pandemic levels, retailers are emphasizing the value of the physical shopping experience. This includes investing in knowledgeable staff to enhance customer engagement 4. E commerce Innovation*While luxury and mass online marketplaces face challenges, successful online players are leveraging AI for better product discovery and personalized shopping 5. Appealing to the "Silver GenerationThe report notes the importance of attracting customers over 50, a growing demographic with significant spending potential. Many brands are now focusing more on this "silver generation," 6. Challenger Brands Gaining Momentum*Newer, agile brands are gaining ground, especially in sectors like sportswear, by rapidly innovating market share from established players. Retail Doctor Group

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Do the big names like H&M really understand the current shift towards social commerce? 🤔 A thought-provoking piece here by Kevin Mason. Missed opportunities for authentic and relatable BTS (behind the scenes) content. For the (likely large) budget the campaign probably had, capturing some great social content surely would have been pennies. Imagine the deeper connection shoppers would have with the brand and products after viewing fun, engaging social content. Not just online, but in store! Is it time to reimagine campaign output, with the Gen-Z perspective at the centre?

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7 fashion experts to follow on LinkedIn It is a pleasure to be featured in the latest LinkedIn United Kingdom article by Aaron Toumazou, alongside other experts in the fashion industry, to discuss changing consumer behavior. Significant shifts in how people shop are transforming the fashion industry, from sustainability to transparency in sourcing and carbon emissions. Younger generations are driving demand for fair wages, safe working conditions, and supporting second-hand, circular, and rental fashion as eco-conscious alternatives. The growth of digital shopping is substantial, with virtual try-ons, augmented reality, and data-driven personalization becoming standard. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok heavily influence trends, with influencers and peer reviews shaping purchasing decisions. Comfort, wellness, inclusivity, and non-binary fashion are also major trends, as consumers seek versatile, diverse, and self-care-focused clothing options. Please check this link to know more. https://lnkd.in/er-Be8Vi Maliha Shoaib Ben Hanson Yemi L. Ian Fielding-Calcutt Debs Lewis Eshita Kabra LinkedIn #fashion #trend #flow #behavior #consumer #insight #buyinghabit #trendy #forecast #2025 #future

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🔁 Solving the Fashion Return Challenge Returns have become a significant hurdle in the fashion industry, with many items being sent back, often ending up in recycling, liquidation, or stuck in warehouses. But brands are getting creative! From offering store credits to encouraging customers to keep items, to final sale discounts, companies are finding new ways to cut down return rates. At Trove, we’re driving change through peer-to-peer resale, helping brands extend product life, minimize waste, and keep customers satisfied. Curious to learn more? Check out the full article! #TroveRecommerce #Returns

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Research Report: Fashion & Technology in 2025 💡

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The most successful brands in the FMCG and Luxury Goods sectors seamlessly blend digital commerce with bricks-and-mortar growth. This integrated approach allows companies to maintain a strong global presence while adapting to local market needs. For C-suite leaders, the challenge is to drive this transformation by ensuring that digital and physical channels work harmoniously, reinforcing the brand’s core values and delivering a consistent customer experience. It’s about creating a strategy where digital enhances physical and physical amplifies digital - leading to sustainable growth and global success. However, the integration is not just about maintaining a presence in digital and physical settings - it's about creating a cohesive brand experience that resonates with consumers across every touchpoint. A robust digital platform provides data-driven insights that can inform physical store layouts, product offerings, and even customer service approaches. Meanwhile, the physical stores offer experiential engagement that digital platforms can’t replicate, deepening brand loyalty and driving repeat business. Leadership in this dual-channel approach requires a deep understanding of the technological landscape and consumer behaviour. C-suite executives must embrace digital transformation and create a culture of innovation that encourages collaboration across departments. Aligning e-commerce strategies with in-store experiences ensures that the brand’s message is consistent and powerful, whether a customer interacts with the brand online or in a physical store. Ultimately, this synergy between digital and physical channels is critical to unlocking sustainable growth. As more brands navigate the complexities of global expansion, those that can effectively integrate these channels will stand out, driving long-term success and setting new benchmarks for industry innovation. #BrandIntegrity #DigitalCommerce #LuxuryGoods #Gymshark

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Loom has a compelling take on how to create a circular fashion business. One that reuses material while also creating something new. I think it might be a winner. Their pre-seed round ends Friday if you want to support... #circulareconomy #seed #fashion

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There is a clear opportunity for brands to leverage transparency as a competitive advantage pre-purchase. By making customers feel better and more informed about their purchases, brands can forge more loyalty and grow CLTV. The looming threat of DPP legislation may just be the kick up the a**e brands need to start doing the right things but there's still a lot of confusion around it and how to execute transparency. In article 2 of our DPP and transparency series we're breaking down the DPP challenge into smaller, logical steps for brand leaders who are forming their own transparency strategies. Honourable mentions for: Ganni A/S Earthletica Activewear ASKET Fairly Made® EON Green Story + more Read, subscribe and share your thoughts with us: https://lnkd.in/epwbEDfM

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Has summer finally come for UK fashion? After a very slow start to SS24 we are starting to see summer terms spike in the expected categories in Metis. This time last year we had unseasonably wet weather in August so there is definitely headroom in the market to push and drive growth over the next few weeks. Fingers crossed that it holds. 🤞🤞🤞 We are seeing big swings across categories so loads of growth out there for brands who are quick to react. Overall the market is still down YoY but that gap is starting to close. Metis by MediaVision uncovers insight like this, every sector, every market, every week. Our teams are relentless in finding opportunity, acting fast and first to drive organic performance. #ss24 #fashion #growth #opportunityeverywhere

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Radar, an app to find and track #fashion choices and purchases, has launched in the #UK. Emily Gaunt #Retail #fashion #Apparel #Radar #UK #DailyNews #ApparelResources #ApparelIndustry #RetailTech #FashionBrand #NewLaunch

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AI's impact on the fashion industry is growing. How is AI shaping fashion trends and production? Share your views on AI's influence in the world of fashion. #FashionAI #Innovation #StyleTech

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Digital, phygital, web3, Roblox and more - all of the topics covered in this week’s podcast with CLARE TATTERSALL founder of Digital Fashion Week. I thought personally it was important to discuss where the opportunities are for independent designers, let alone handbags in this murky next phase of media retail consumption. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/efQDU9Tp

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April is perhaps the most important month of the year in the sustainable fashion community—and it should be all of us. Beyond Earth Day and Arbour Day, this month we remember the tragedy of Rana Plaza, a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh that collapsed on 24 April 2013. 1,134 people were killed and 2,500 were injured. It’s one of the worst industrial disasters in history. This tragedy continues to inspire industry activists and business leaders alike to hold the fashion industry accountable for their disregard for the very makers of our clothes. What happened at Rana Plaza shaped us too, motivating me and Gordon Renouf to start Good On You to help consumers know the impact of brands and buy better. Accountability is crucial and, while progress has been made, there is so much more to do. So join me to take action this month—and beyond! This week especially is #FashionRevolutionWeek, a yearly initiative to galvanise and organise community efforts. And this year marks the organisation’s tenth anniversary: Fashion Revolution is an invaluable ally in progress, known for creating an international movement that is influencing policy and efforts like the renewed International Accord for health and safety and the Fashion Transparency Index. To take part, share how you are a fashion revolutionary using #WeAreFashionRevolution. For me, joining the revolution means pressing for greater transparency in fashion, so businesses and consumers can play their part to ensure the wellbeing of people, the planet, and animals. We can create industry-wide change today with our choices, and apply this to so many more consumer industries in the future. Here’s to doing the work! Learn more about Fashion Revolution Week and how you can get involved here → https://lnkd.in/gyBM73zc

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Fashion Brands Primed for Private Equity Deals: Who’s Next? Private equity firms have invested heavily in fashion/retail companies — and some of these brands are likely to return to the market soon, setting the stage for a new wave of high-stakes dealmaking. Stuck or Surging? Investors Caught Between Unmovable Brands and the Next Big Opportunity. Some investors find themselves locked into fashion bets they can’t cash out, while others are boldly pushing forward, eager to capture the next big trend. The list highlights key #fashion brands and #retail holdings, but the real excitement is in the off-the-radar names that could soon be up for grabs.

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Depop vs Vinted 🤪 THE STORY (Inspired by this week's Vogue Business article about Depop's recent 'turnaround' - see link in comments) In my uni days, it was all about Depop, which emerged as the go-to cool place to find unique vintage finds online. Selling on Depop, however, was a challenge unless you had a perfectly stylised background and a quality camera (I literally once bought a white backdrop to try and make my Depop look more inviting) 🪴📸 Let's also not forget that the platform's algorithm seemed to favour its top sellers, pushing their products to the top of everyone's fees 👀 These top sellers were practically entrepreneurs, and like any good businessperson facing high demand, they bumped their prices 💰 This meant that vintage clothing prices on Depop were often pretty steep, especially since Depop also took a 10% cut from sellers, which really didn't encourage listing more affordable items ☝️ Then along came Vinted 🤪 I remember seeing a Vinted ad on TV and thinking it was aimed more at mums than 20-somethings. But fast-forward five years, and it turns out everyone I know is using Vinted to buy and sell preloved clothes. Here is why: 😛 Vinted changed the game by ditching seller fees and only charging buyers a fee under the 'buyer protection' guise. 🤳 It's super quick to sell branded items on Vinted, even with less-than-perfect photos, as long as the price is right. 🚚 What also set Vinted apart is how they simplified shipping with integrated shipping partners, which Depop caught onto much later. 💳 Plus, Vinted introduced the 'Vinted Wallet,' encouraging users to reinvest the money they earned from sales back into the marketplace, effectively turning every seller into a buyer and boosting marketplace liquidity. While Depop has its strengths with a strong sense of community and curation, in our fast-paced, cost-conscious world, efficiency in transactions and pricing are king - areas where Vinted excels. Depop could really benefit from taking a page out of Vinted’s playbook 📖 What do you predict will happen next? Comment below with your thoughts 💭

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