LUXURY FASHION NEWS
Gucci Employees Strike Back
Gucci employees in Italy are threatening to strike over an unpaid welfare bonus. Approximately 1,000 employees in retail and logistics that are represented by unions have expressed “a state of unrest”. Under Italian law, this could escalate into a full strike.
The welfare bonus was promised under a 2022-2024 agreement that although has expired, was promised to be paid for 2025.
Gucci proposed combining the payment of the welfare bonus to broader incentive programs. Unions have rejected Gucci’s proposal and criticized their approach - labeling it unacceptable and disrespectful to employees.
The tension comes at a time where the business itself is experiencing a decrease in sales and financial pressure.
Source: Business of Fashion
Coach Cafe
Coach is opening multiple cafes across retail and outlet stores. According to Business of Fashion, the brand’s goal is to target a wider Gen Z audience along with create a unique experience for guests.
The cafe menu extends to to coffee drinks such as classic drip coffee, lattes, iced chai and mochas, and even including vegan friendly options.
Cafes will be attached to Coach stores to allow customers to accessibly view handbag and accessory collections while waiting on coffee orders.
The shop features a designated mascot, ‘Lil Miss Jo' - a smiling coffee mug.
Locations include the Jersey Shore Premium outlets in Tinton Falls, New Jersey and another in Austin, Texas at The Domain.
Ralph Lauren was the first to introduce luxury fashion cafes, opening their first coffee shop ‘Ralph’s Coffee’ in 2014 in New York City on Fifth Avenue.
Sustainability at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Copenhagen Fashion Week is a leader in sustainable fashion movements. They have set the tone with new requirements for next gen brands since launching their Sustainability Action Plan in 2020.
Copenhagen Fashion Week’s framework has further been adopted by London Fashion Week earlier this year - requiring the following from all brands who participate:
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Runway shows are expected to be zero waste.
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60% of collections must be developed from upcycled or dead stock materials.
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Brands cannot destroy unsold clothing or samples from previous collections.
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Fulfill Diversity & Inclusion policies for hiring.
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Must educate & inform customers about sustainability practices on at least two platforms.
Frequently seen on the most recent runways of Copenhagen Fashion week was the material “SHIRINGA”, a sustainable bio-leather material developed by Caxacori Studio in collaboration with Indigenous Awajün communities.
Brands and designers who included the material within exhibitions included Mozhdeh Matin, Serena Coelho, ASK Scandinavian, AERON, Marimekko, The Sake Project, and MUNA Brand.
FAST FASHION NEWS
Shein’s Greenwashing & Lawsuits
Shein has been under a lot of pressure in 2025, from the passing of France’s Anti-Fast Fashion Bill to being sued by France for 40 million euros on July 3rd over misleading sustainable messaging in advertisements.
Most recently, Shein was fined a million euros for greenwashing their website to portray misleading sustainability company efforts.
The company claimed to have multiple ongoing sustainable projects including ‘SheInTheKnow’ and ‘EvoluShein’ that promised equitable empowerment of the people, collective resilience, and waste innovation.
In 2023 alone the company made $2 billion in profit, generating 1 million euros every 4 hours.
Although the lawsuits and pressure is a positive direction to maintain the harmful effects of fast fashion on the environment, Shein can afford them.
In order to make real progress, companies need to be held accountable, and brands need to be completely honest with consumers about their true planet impact.