Fashion Startup Founder Pleads Guilty in $300 Million Fraud
Christine Hunsicker admitted she falsified financial statements to promote CaaStle Inc. as a valuable, growing business when in reality it was struggling.

Nikhil Thukral, managing partner at the LVMH-affiliated private equity fund, talks about the ingredients of winning companies, the dynamics challenging fashion's incumbents and how economic shifts are shaping investor strategies in the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2025.

Nikhil Thukral, managing partner at the LVMH-affiliated private equity fund, talks about the ingredients of winning companies, the dynamics challenging fashion's incumbents and how economic shifts are shaping investor strategies in the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2025.

For fashion’s private market investors, deal-making may provide less-than-ideal returns and raise questions about the long-term value creation opportunities across parts of the fashion industry, reports The State of Fashion 2024.

For fashion’s private market investors, deal-making may provide less-than-ideal returns and raise questions about the long-term value creation opportunities across parts of the fashion industry, reports The State of Fashion 2024.

The underwear start-up was once pegged as Gen-Z’s answer to Victoria’s Secret. But investors, executives and founder Cami Téllez couldn’t agree on whether to prioritise growth or profitability. They ended up with the worst of both worlds.

The underwear start-up was once pegged as Gen-Z’s answer to Victoria’s Secret. But investors, executives and founder Cami Téllez couldn’t agree on whether to prioritise growth or profitability. They ended up with the worst of both worlds.

Croissant is a start-up that melds retail with resale, showing shoppers the secondhand market value of products they want to buy, as well as offering them a simple way to resell those items for immediate cash.

Croissant is a start-up that melds retail with resale, showing shoppers the secondhand market value of products they want to buy, as well as offering them a simple way to resell those items for immediate cash.
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Fashion and beauty start-up valuations appear to have stabilised after plunging last year, though it may be months or even years before many return to their old highs — if they ever do. But there are ways for emerging and established players to ride out the downturn.

Fashion and beauty start-up valuations appear to have stabilised after plunging last year, though it may be months or even years before many return to their old highs — if they ever do. But there are ways for emerging and established players to ride out the downturn.

With the direct-to-consumer funding heyday now over, DTC brands need to turn a profit. Unlike their revenue-obsessed counterparts, DTC pioneers Marine Layer, Meundies and Trinny London offer a blueprint for achieving both top- and bottom-line growth.

With the direct-to-consumer funding heyday now over, DTC brands need to turn a profit. Unlike their revenue-obsessed counterparts, DTC pioneers Marine Layer, Meundies and Trinny London offer a blueprint for achieving both top- and bottom-line growth.

Start-ups under pressure to operate in the black have logistics and marketing expenses in their sights.

Start-ups under pressure to operate in the black have logistics and marketing expenses in their sights.

As the economy weakens and funding dries up, more digital upstarts will face pressure to sell. They’ll have no trouble finding buyers – if they can prove they’re more than just another money-losing start-up.

As the economy weakens and funding dries up, more digital upstarts will face pressure to sell. They’ll have no trouble finding buyers – if they can prove they’re more than just another money-losing start-up.
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From fragrance to skin care to hair care, independent brands are making their mark on the beauty industry, but competition is stiff and scaling these businesses is more complex than ever.

From fragrance to skin care to hair care, independent brands are making their mark on the beauty industry, but competition is stiff and scaling these businesses is more complex than ever.

A grim economic climate has tempered enthusiasm for risky investments, but fashion companies and executives like H&M, Kering and Stella McCartney still see opportunity in start-ups pursuing sustainability solutions.

A grim economic climate has tempered enthusiasm for risky investments, but fashion companies and executives like H&M, Kering and Stella McCartney still see opportunity in start-ups pursuing sustainability solutions.

Beighton is the fourth CEO to run the luxury e-tailer in less than five years as its private equity owners struggle to improve performance.

Beighton is the fourth CEO to run the luxury e-tailer in less than five years as its private equity owners struggle to improve performance.

Facing a possible recession, private investors are tightening their purse strings. This means fashion and beauty start-ups must preserve cash and undertake creative tactics to secure capital.

Facing a possible recession, private investors are tightening their purse strings. This means fashion and beauty start-ups must preserve cash and undertake creative tactics to secure capital.
Christine Hunsicker admitted she falsified financial statements to promote CaaStle Inc. as a valuable, growing business when in reality it was struggling.
The underwear company is anticipating net sales of at least $6.85 billion in the current fiscal year, exceeding analyst estimates and marking the highest revenue since its split from L Brands Inc in 2021.
The Japanese brand is accelerating its expansion in India to capture a greater share of the rapidly growing apparel market and affluent consumer base.
Activist fund Oasis Management Co. is calling on the Japanese personal care company to convene an extraordinary general meeting, seeking a probe into its supply-chain risk management and internal control.
The retailer surpassed annual sales forecasts but expects a $60 million drag from import tariffs in the first half of 2026.
The transaction gives FSI, a Milan-based private equity fund, a controlling share in the Italian luxury house, as more founder-owned brands turn to investors to fund growth and weather a tough global market.
Spend growth at off-price chains is among the strongest in retail, with gains across all income segments.
The retailer said it was accounting for the 15 percent tariff announced by US president Donald Trump after the Supreme Court struck down most of his earlier tariffs.