Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

Our founder has a new episode on the Gettin Chai podcast! Tune in to learn about how she figured out the real problem in resale wasn’t fractional ownership but friction, why she started with in-person closet sales before building the app, and what it actually looks like to build a tech company solo without losing your mind. This episode also dives into the parasocial economy and why influencers are the perfect sellers, what holds its value in resale and what doesn’t, and how Devyn learned to stop overthinking content and just post.

• “Intellectual influencers” are emerging as brands seek depth over traditional influencer marketing: A new class of creators, dubbed “intellectual influencers,” is gaining traction as audiences grow fatigued by repetitive, sales-driven content and AI-generated noise. These creators build trust through expertise, cultural analysis and niche knowledge, prompting brands to rethink partnerships by prioritizing substance, perspective and co-creation over traditional promotional posts. Companies like Depop and eBay are already leveraging these creators as cultural interpreters rather than endorsers, using them to contextualize products and extend their relevance. This shift reinforces Cache’s model, where creators are valued for their taste and perspective, offering curated closets rooted in genuine expertise and cultural credibility, not just transactional affiliate links.

• Barneys New York could return to Madison Avenue under Authentic Brands:
  Authentic Brands Group is exploring reopening Barneys New York at its former Madison Avenue flagship, but the plan is still tentative and depends on securing an operating partner. The iconic 220,000-square-foot space has remained vacant since Barneys’ 2020 closure, and while discussions with the landlord are underway, no deal has been finalized. The potential revival comes after Saks’ prior licensing rights lapsed following its bankruptcy, giving Authentic more control over Barneys’ future as it considers both a flagship return and smaller-format store concepts.

• Adidas Originals x ASOS drop reimagines sportswear through a feminine lens: The latest installment of the Adidas Originals x ASOS collaboration introduces a softer, more playful take on classic sportswear, featuring polka dots, pastels and peplum silhouettes. The collection reworks iconic pieces like the Firebird tracksuit with lace trims, satin fabrics and tailored details, blending athletic heritage with trend-driven design. Alongside the launch, the brands are hosting an immersive pop-up at adidas’ Oxford Street store with DJ sets and in-store experiences, signaling a push toward more experiential, community-driven retail activations.

• Denim brands shift to “total look” systems to drive higher basket value:
  Cup of Joe’s FW26 collection reflects a broader retail shift toward coordinated, modular wardrobes designed to increase units per transaction and maximize floor space. By anchoring the collection around core silhouettes like the Tamara jacket and building out matching sets and layering pieces, the brand encourages customers to buy full looks rather than single items. This “total look” strategy reduces styling friction, improves conversion and positions denim brands as lifestyle players rather than standalone categories.

• Coachella is seeing a resurgence of big-brand activations and experiential marketing: Major brands are returning to Coachella with large-scale, immersive activations after a quieter post-pandemic period, using the festival as a key cultural moment to engage Gen Z and millennial audiences. From fashion and beauty pop-ups to branded experiences and influencer-led events, companies are prioritizing IRL connection and shareable moments over traditional advertising. Coachella has renewed its importance as a testing ground for experiential marketing, where brands compete for cultural relevance and social media visibility.

• Allbirds stock tumbles as AI-driven rally proves short-lived:
  Allbirds shares fell sharply after a dramatic 582% surge fueled by its announcement to integrate AI into its business quickly reversed. The spike had been driven by investor excitement around a new AI-powered product and strategy pivot, but the subsequent drop reflects doubts about the company’s fundamentals and whether the AI move meaningfully changes its outlook. The volatility underscores how quickly markets are rewarding, and then punishing brands leaning into AI narratives without clear, sustained business impact.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• The RealReal CMO blends her personal style with resale math: Samantha McCandless, chief merchandising officer at The RealReal, approaches shopping with a resale-first mindset, often funding new purchases by consigning items from her own closet. A longtime fan of vintage fashion, she prioritizes quality over quantity and enjoys hunting for unique pieces like vintage Bulgari jewelry and charm collections from Foundrae. She recommends secondhand shopping, especially for jewelry, as a way to find distinctive, high-quality items at better value, even for gifting. Beyond fashion, she swears by staples like the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. Overall, her strategy blends personal style with practical “resale math,” treating purchases as both indulgences and potential future investments.

• Vinted reports a 38% jump in revenue: Vinted reported strong growth in 2025, with revenue rising to €1.1 billion as more consumers turned to secondhand shopping amid economic pressure. The platform also saw a surge in overall sales volume, driven by expansion into new categories like electronics, homeware and collectibles, as well as entry into additional European markets and the U.S. However, net profitability declined due to heavy investments in logistics, technology and international growth. Overall, the results highlight how resale is booming globally, with Vinted scaling rapidly by positioning itself as a cost-effective, accessible alternative to buying new.

• Gen Z is shifting toward a deeper focus on personal style and individuality: This shift is driven in part by digital fatigue, overconsumption concerns and a desire to stand out in an algorithm-driven culture. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube initially fueled uniformity, but are now also hosting a surge in “personal style” content as young consumers seek uniqueness through niche accessories, layered looks and subtle design twists. This shift is boosting resale platforms like Depop and The RealReal, which emphasize one-of-a-kind finds over trend-driven inventory. Brands such as Miu Miu and Jacquemus are adapting by leaning into distinct creative identities, nostalgic storytelling and customizable products to appeal to Gen Z’s desire for self-expression, highlighting a broader industry shift toward individuality as a key driver of engagement and sales.

• Tom Holland has entered a long-term partnership with Vuori: He is taking on creative, strategic and financial roles within the company. The collaboration launches with a Spring 2026 campaign centered on themes of balance, resilience and “calm ambition,” including a cinematic short film co-created with his brother. The partnership also reveals Vuori’s strategy as it expands globally and into new categories like golf apparel, positioning Holland not just as a face of the brand but as an active contributor to its direction and storytelling.

• Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the fashion industry: AI is helping brands optimize inventory, improve demand forecasting and personalize customer experiences, ultimately boosting sales while reducing costs. It is also streamlining design and production processes, enabling faster time-to-market and more data-driven decision-making. However, while AI presents significant growth opportunities, it also requires substantial investment and operational changes, highlighting a shift toward tech-enabled fashion businesses that prioritize efficiency and scalability as key competitive advantages.

• AI in fashion has varying levels of impact: Tools like ChatGPT are highly effective for generating marketing copy, analyzing reports and producing imagery, helping boost productivity and streamline workflows at companies like Gap Inc. However, AI still struggles with tasks requiring precision, such as complex calculations, financial reporting and regulatory work, and can produce errors or “hallucinations.” As a result, brands are building hybrid systems that combine AI with traditional algorithms and human oversight to maximize strengths while minimizing risks, highlighting that successful adoption depends on understanding both the potential and the limitations of the technology.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

🚨 LAST DAY of Kelly Ostro’s closet sale on Cache.

ALL ITEMS ARE NOW 20% OFF

You can still shop Toronto-based stylist and creator Kelly Ostro’s curated pieces in her online closet sale until TONIGHT at 11:59 PM ET. From staples to statement pieces, these pre-loved treasures let you own a piece of Kelly’s signature style, while giving items a second life. The sale is available through the Cache app, on web or iOS.

Download now to browse while the exclusive drop is still live!

• Online resale is growing fast, but user dissatisfaction is rising:
  Despite rapid growth in online resale, many users report frustration with inconsistent pricing, poor search and discovery tools, and lack of trust in product quality and authenticity. The article highlights how issues like inaccurate listings, difficult returns and platform fragmentation are creating friction, even as demand for secondhand continues to climb. As a result, resale platforms are under pressure to improve user experience, transparency and reliability to sustain long-term growth.

• Poshmark rolls out its first major app redesign in 15 years to improve discovery: Poshmark has introduced its first major app redesign in over a decade, focusing on improving product discovery, personalization and overall user experience. The update includes a more intuitive interface, enhanced search and recommendation features, and a streamlined shopping journey aimed at making secondhand browsing feel more like traditional e-commerce. The overhaul comes as competition intensifies in the resale space, with platforms racing to reduce friction and better retain users amid the ongoing thrifting boom.

• Secondhand market set to outpace traditional retail growth through 2026:
  ThredUp’s 2026 resale report projects secondhand hitting $393B by 2030, with the market expected to expand significantly faster than traditional retail. The report highlights that 46% of resale discovery now happens outside resale-specific platforms via social feeds, creators, and in-person browsing. sits directly at this intersection, turning creator-driven discovery into a seamless resale experience by letting users shop the closets of tastemakers they already trust and follow.

• Saks Global secures $500 million in financing after bankruptcy:
  Saks Global’s new financing following its recent bankruptcy, provides liquidity to stabilize operations and support its restructuring efforts. The funding is expected to help the company manage debt, maintain vendor relationships and continue investing in its retail and e-commerce strategy as it works to regain footing in a challenging luxury market. The department store group aims to exit Chapter 11 by summer with a leaner store footprint.

• H&M and Stella McCartney launch insights board to drive sustainability dialogue:
  H&M and Stella McCartney have introduced a new “Insights Board” aimed at fostering open dialogue and collaboration around sustainability in fashion. The initiative brings together industry experts, creatives and change-makers to share knowledge and challenge existing practices, with the goal of accelerating more responsible innovation across the industry. The move reflects a growing emphasis on collective action and transparency as brands seek to address complex environmental challenges.

• Big Tech is adopting fashion’s playbook to build cultural relevance and brand identity: Tech companies like Meta, OpenAI and emerging hardware brands are increasingly borrowing from fashion’s strategies, opening flagship stores, creating immersive IRL experiences and collaborating with creative to turn their products into lifestyle symbols rather than just functional tools. As technology becomes more visible in everyday life, it’s being evaluated through taste, identity and status, much like fashion. The shift reflects a deeper challenge for tech, in markets where products are functionally similar, brands are using fashion-style storytelling and world-building to create emotional differentiation and consumer preference.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

🚨 Kelly Ostro’s closet sale is now LIVE on Cache.

You can now shop Toronto-based stylist and creator Kelly Ostro’s curated pieces in her online closet sale on March 27th at 10AM EST. From staples to statement pieces, these pre-loved treasures let you own a piece of Kelly’s signature style, while giving items a second life. The sale is available through the Cache app, on web or iOS. Download now to browse before the best pieces are gone!

• Ralph Lauren adjusts sustainability strategy after dropping net-zero targets:
  Ralph Lauren has revised its sustainability roadmap, stepping back from previous 2030 and 2040 net-zero greenhouse gas targets and instead focusing on incremental emissions reductions, responsible sourcing, and circular initiatives. The brand cited challenges in tracking Scope 3 emissions across its complex supply chain as a key reason for the shift, emphasizing more achievable short-term goals. Ralph Lauren plans to expand sustainable materials, improve supply chain transparency, and invest in circularity programs, while framing these efforts as part of a pragmatic, long-term approach to environmental responsibility.

• Express has partnered with Bebe to launch a Y2K-inspired capsule collection: The collection features low-rise pants, rhinestone tops, and statement accessories that evoke early-2000s fashion trends. The collaboration taps into nostalgic aesthetics while appealing to younger shoppers discovering Y2K style for the first time. This launch aligns with Cache’s March “On My Radar, but Make it Nostalgic” post, highlighting the resurgence of retro trends and the growing appetite for curated, nostalgia-driven fashion content.

• Matthew M. Williams has been appointed creative director of Oakley: Williams, who previously worked at Givenchy and founded 1017 ALYX 9SM, will oversee design across Oakley’s eyewear, apparel, and accessories lines alongside chief visionary officer Travis Scott, aiming to merge high-fashion sensibilities with performance-driven sportswear. The move signals Oakley’s intent to elevate its brand perception beyond technical performance gear into lifestyle and fashion relevance.

• Luxury brands need to balance AI with craftsmanship: Luxury brands are increasingly experimenting with AI across design, personalization, and marketing, but adoption raises tension between speed-driven AI outputs and the traditional craftsmanship, exclusivity, and storytelling that define luxury. Some executives worry AI could dilute brand heritage and creative authenticity, while others see it as a tool to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency. The debate highlights a balancing act for luxury houses, leveraging AI for competitive advantage without undermining the emotional and artisanal values central to high-end fashion.

• Aerie pushes back on AI marketing: Aerie has launched a new campaign featuring Pamela Anderson to take a stand against AI-generated marketing, emphasizing authentic human creativity and real representation in advertising. The brand highlights the risks of AI in eroding trust and transparency with consumers, positioning itself as a defender of genuine storytelling and body-positive messaging in a landscape increasingly dominated by automated content.

• Staud has partnered with American Express to launch a limited-edition collection: Marking the 60th anniversary of the Gold Card, the collection includes reimagined versions of Staud’s popular silhouettes, like bucket bags and crossbody styles, emblazoned with the Amex logo and signature gold accents. This partnership reflects the growing trend of fashion–finance collaborations, appealing to both collectors and style-conscious consumers, and is part of a larger effort by lifestyle brands to create culturally resonant, limited-edition products that drive engagement and brand loyalty.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Zara taps John Galliano for a two-year creative partnership: Zara has partnered with John Galliano, former creative director at Maison Margiela and Dior. The deal will see Galliano contribute across multiple seasonal collections, pulling from Zara’s archives to bring a more narrative, high-fashion lens to its rapid production model. The move is part of a broader strategy by Inditex, Zara’s parent company and one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, to push the brand upmarket and compete on design and cultural relevance rather than just speed and price.

• Gucci turns storytelling into an AI-powered game with Google Gemini: Gucci has launched an interactive mystery experience for its latest collection, “La Famiglia,” in collaboration with Google Gemini, allowing users to engage with the brand through AI-driven storytelling and gameplay. Players take on the role of a detective, uncovering clues and narratives tied to Gucci’s world, blending fashion, entertainment and technology into a single experience. Given Demna’s affinity for video games in his past creative projects this move feels aligned, reflecting Gucci’s strategy to connect with younger, digitally native audiences while turning brand storytelling into something participatory rather than passive.

• Tariff refund lawsuits surge as US trade policy uncertainty grows: A wave of lawsuits is emerging as companies seek refunds on tariffs paid under previous US trade policies, amid ongoing uncertainty about future tariff plans. Brands and retailers are challenging duties they argue were improperly imposed, with billions of dollars potentially at stake. The surge in legal action highlights how shifting trade policies are creating financial and operational instability across the fashion and retail sectors, particularly for companies reliant on global supply chains, such as Prada and Adidas.

• Tapestry makes the business case for sustainability beyond compliance: Tapestry, the parent company of Coach and Kate Spade, is positioning sustainability as a core growth driver, highlighted by a new 10-year partnership with Climeworks to support carbon removal efforts. The company is integrating circularity, responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency into its broader strategy, arguing that sustainability can drive long-term value and brand equity while meeting growing consumer demand for more responsible fashion.

• Reviews are fashion’s most valuable marketing currency: Customer reviews have become one of the most influential forces in fashion, directly impacting both product development and sales by providing real-time feedback that brands actively analyze and respond to. Rather than sitting at the end of the purchase journey, reviews now shape everything from merchandising decisions to fit adjustments and restocks, while also boosting conversion rates by reducing uncertainty for shoppers. As a result, brands are investing in systems to surface, manage and integrate reviews across their platforms, treating them not just as feedback, but as a core engine of growth and consumer trust. At , we tap into this same shift by partnering with creators who have already built trusted relationships with their audience.

• Revolve bets big on AI to drive growth and efficiency: Revolve is doubling down on AI across its business, using it to power product recommendations, marketing, inventory planning and content creation as it looks to scale more efficiently. The company is leveraging AI to personalize the shopping experience and optimize decision-making behind the scenes, while also experimenting with AI-generated imagery and tools to speed up creative production. The push reflects an industry shift to use technology not just for cost savings, but as a competitive advantage in customer acquisition and conversion.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• AI discovery is reshaping fashion brand visibility: Referral traffic from AI chatbots to fashion brands and retailers is rapidly increasing, making AI-driven discovery an emerging priority for fashion marketing teams. AI tools tend to recommend widely recognized brands like Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M most often, while also showing strong accuracy recommending category specialists such as Skims. The findings suggest brands can improve their visibility in AI recommendations by optimizing product descriptions, images, and metadata with clear lifestyle contexts and consistently repeating their brand values across online platforms so AI systems can more easily identify and recommend them.

• The biggest barrier to textile recycling is disassembly: Most clothing contains multiple materials and components such as zippers, buttons, labels, and mixed fibers that must be removed before textiles can be recycled into new fabric, making the disassembly process slow, labor-intensive, and expensive. Many recyclers still rely on manual labor to separate these elements, while emerging technologies like automated sorting systems and robotics aim to streamline the process but remain costly and complex. Designers and manufacturers are experimenting with solutions such as mono-material garments, dissolvable stitching, and removable fasteners, but experts say meaningful progress will require coordinated changes across design, manufacturing, and end-of-life systems rather than a single technological fix.

• Urban Outfitters has partnered with Vans to feature the brand in its “On Rotation” experiential retail platform: The concept is a rotating shop-in-shop designed to spotlight key footwear partners and strengthen the retailer’s position in the category. The collaboration celebrates Vans’ 60th anniversary “Off the Wall” campaign and includes curated sneakers, apparel, and accessories showcased through immersive in-store installations and digital content. The initiative reflects Urban Outfitters’ broader strategy to grow footwear as a core category while using experiential retail and brand collaborations to connect with Gen Z consumers and drive head-to-toe styling.

• Direct-to-consumer brand Rise & Fall is challenging traditional luxury pricing: UK-based brand Rise & Fall aims to deliver luxury-quality goods at roughly half the typical price by cutting out wholesale markups and working directly with the same factories used by luxury labels. The company uses a streamlined set of natural materials like cashmere, wool, cotton, and silk and relies on just-in-time, AI-assisted production to better match supply with demand and reduce waste. Its strategy also includes detailed product specifications, transparent pricing comparisons with luxury competitors, and strong brand storytelling to convince customers of its quality despite lower prices. The brand has grown quickly through viral products and is expanding beyond clothing into lifestyle goods such as bedding and home items, positioning itself around the concept of “everyday luxury.”

• Software provider DeSL has partnered with Textile Solutions Group to strengthen digital textile ecosystem: The agreement brings together DeSL’s AI-powered product lifecycle management (PLM) platform with Textile Solutions Group’s manufacturing and operational technology expertise to create a more integrated digital ecosystem for the fashion and textile industry. By connecting product development, sourcing, and supply chain workflows, the partnership aims to give brands and manufacturers better visibility, collaboration, and efficiency across the production process. DeSL will continue operating under its existing leadership while benefiting from expanded global reach, greater investment capacity, and deeper technological integration across the textile value chain.

• Live Story debuts in the U.K. and targets €10 million in revenue: : Live Story, a digital platform founded by CEO Stefano Mocellini, has launched operations in the U.K. as part of its broader international growth strategy. The company provides technology that helps brands integrate storytelling, editorial-style content, and commerce into their websites, enabling more immersive and personalized online shopping experiences. Already used by luxury brands for digital content and product storytelling, Live Story aims to reach €10 million in revenue as it expands its client base and strengthens its presence in key fashion markets.

• Venture capital is discovering fashion tech: Fashion technology, spanning AI design tools, supply-chain software, trend forecasting platforms, and new shopping interfaces, is rapidly moving from the industry’s margins to its core, attracting growing interest from venture capital. Events like the Fashion AI Expo at Paris Fashion Week highlight how data, software, and digital infrastructure are becoming major drivers of innovation in fashion. As startups build tools that reshape everything from product development to consumer discovery, investors are beginning to see fashion not just as a creative industry but as a technology ecosystem with significant growth potential.

  

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• United Talent Agency is doubling down on the creator economy: Managers Ali Berman and Raina Penchansky oversee some of the industry’s biggest digital stars, including Alix Earle. Their work reflects how influencer management has evolved beyond brand deals into full-scale business building—spanning product lines, media ventures, and long-term partnerships. Agencies like UTA are increasingly structuring creators like traditional celebrities, with dedicated teams handling strategy, licensing, and expansion across platforms. The shift underscores how influencers are becoming enduring entertainment and commerce brands rather than short-term social media personalities.

  

• Fashion Tech Founder Pleads Guilty in $300M Fraud Case: Christine Hunsicker, founder of  CaaStle, pleaded guilty to securities fraud. Prosecutors say Hunsicker falsely inflated the company’s financial performance and growth metrics to attract venture capital funding, using fabricated financial statements and misleading claims about the business while it struggled financially. Once promoted as a fast-growing “clothing-as-a-service” platform helping brands launch rental programs, CaaStle later collapsed into bankruptcy as the fraud allegations surfaced. Hunsicker has agreed to forfeit nearly $300 million and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for August.  

  

• Gap Reports Q4 Sales Growth as Tariffs Pressure Profits: Gap Inc. reported a fourth-quarter sales increase and modest annual growth, driven by stronger performance across key brands and improved comparable sales. However, profitability was squeezed as new tariffs raised sourcing costs and cut into merchandise margins, highlighting ongoing supply-chain pressures for apparel retailers. The company says it plans to mitigate the impact through sourcing diversification and operational efficiencies while continuing its turnaround strategy.

  

• New AI Agency Bets on the “Post-Follower” Era of Influencer Marketing: Startup Devotion is launching an AI-powered platform designed to help brands work with hundreds or even thousands of creators at once, reflecting a shift away from relying on a few large influencers. Founded by Cami Téllez and Jonathan Kroopf, the company uses AI to identify creators, manage relationships, and scale ambassador programs as algorithms on platforms like TikTok increasingly surface content from smaller creators rather than accounts users already follow.

  

• Revolve Launches Its First Eponymous Fashion House: Revolve Group is expanding beyond retail with the debut of Revolve Los Angeles, its first namesake fashion label, marking a major step in building out its portfolio of in-house brands. The debut collection—fronted by Bella Hadid—features elevated occasionwear and essentials priced from about $200 to $3,500 and will launch exclusively on the company’s Revolve and FWRD platforms.  

  

• StockX Marks 10 Years With a Look at the Biggest Resale Hits: Resale marketplace StockX celebrated its 10th anniversary by revealing the top-selling and most valuable items of the resale era, highlighting the continued dominance of sneaker culture. High-profile releases like the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low Monogram Brown Damier Azur topped the list of the platform’s most expensive sales, while brands such as Nike and Adidas have consistently led resale demand across the past decade.

  

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• eBay Inc. is laying off about 800 employees: The cuts are affecting roughly 6 percent of the company’s global workforce, marking its third round of cuts in three years. The move follows strong quarterly results with revenue up 15% to $3 billion, and comes shortly after its $1.2 billion acquisition of Depop aimed at attracting younger shoppers. The company says it will continue hiring in key areas while restructuring.

• EU finalizes its plan to scale back sustainability rules: The European Union has finalized its “Omnibus” package, scaling back key sustainability regulations including corporate reporting and supply-chain due diligence requirements. The changes significantly narrow the number of companies required to comply, delay implementation timelines and reduce administrative burdens, as policymakers respond to industry pressure over competitiveness and compliance costs. Critics warn the rollback weakens accountability and climate ambitions, while supporters argue it will ease strain on businesses during a fragile economic period.

• Fashion can accelerate circular business models by borrowing from the tech industry’s playbook: This includes standardized systems, shared infrastructure and data transparency. The article argues that just as tech scaled through interoperability and platform ecosystems, fashion brands must collaborate on resale, repair and recycling frameworks rather than operate in silos. By investing in traceability, Digital Product Passports and collective logistics, the industry can move circularity from niche initiatives to scalable, profitable models.

• Anti-fur protests intensify at Milan Fashion Week: Animal welfare activists escalated anti-fur demonstrations during Milan Fashion Week, staging high-visibility protests outside shows and retail locations as pressure mounts on brands still using real fur. Advocacy groups argue that despite industry progress toward fur-free policies, some labels continue to rely on it, prompting renewed campaigns aimed at pushing Italy’s luxury sector to adopt stronger animal-welfare commitments. The protests signal growing scrutiny of material sourcing and ethical standards during one of fashion’s most high-profile global events.

• India’s e-commerce market set to grow 12.4% in 2026: India’s e-commerce market is projected to expand by 12.4% in 2026, according to data from GlobalData. Growth will be driven by rising internet penetration, increased smartphone usage and expanding digital payment adoption, as well as strong demand from younger consumers and shoppers in smaller cities. The forecast underscores India’s position as one of the fastest-growing online retail markets globally, even as competition intensifies among domestic and international players.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• ASOS launches inclusive new ways to shop with AIUTA’s virtual try on: AIUTA has launched a high-speed (4–7 second load time) Virtual Try-On experience within ASOS’s iOS apps across select US and UK users, allowing customers to upload their own photos or choose from 20 diverse digital models representing a range of body types, sizes, and skin tones. The integration also enables AI-generated product imagery to better showcase complete outfits, helping ASOS scale brand-aligned visual content across its vast catalog while maintaining creative control. Together, the companies aim to make online fashion shopping more inclusive, personalized, and inspiration-led, setting a new standard for interactive digital retail.

• Etsy sells secondhand fashion marketplace Depop to eBay for $1.2B: Etsy has agreed to sell its Gen Z-popular secondhand clothing marketplace Depop to eBay in an all-cash deal following its earlier 2021 acquisition of the platform for roughly $1.62 billion, allowing Etsy to refocus on its core handmade and craft marketplace while giving eBay a stronger foothold in the rapidly growing re-commerce fashion sector with Depop’s 7 million active buyers. Depop will retain its brand and platform under eBay, with the transaction expected to close in mid-2026.

• Veritas raises $1.75 M to embed NFC chips in luxury goods to fight counterfeits: Veritas, a startup founded by former Tesla product manager Luci Holland, has secured $1.75 million in pre-seed funding to develop and scale a “hack-proof” NFC chip and authentication system that luxury brands can embed in high-end products so consumers can tap with a smartphone to verify authenticity and counter the global counterfeit crisis that costs brands tens of billions annually; the chips pair with digital certificates and backend software to monitor scans and thwart tampering, aiming to bring stronger, hardware-based verification to both primary and resale luxury markets.

• Aritzia acquires the iconic Fred Segal and its Los Angeles flagship to fuel U.S. expansion: Aritzia has purchased the Fred Segal brand’s intellectual property and trademarks and signed a lease for its historic Melrose Avenue store, planning to restore the ivy-covered flagship and transform it into a curated, experiential retail destination as part of its broader U.S. growth strategy. The financial terms were not disclosed, however the move underscores Aritzia’s ambition to revive Fred Segal’s cultural legacy while strengthening its presence in North America.

• SSENSE founders retain ownership after court-approved buyout amid restructuring: The Atallah brothers, Rami, Bassel and Firas, have secured Quebec Superior Court approval for their bid to buy out SSENSE and assume control of the business through a founder-led deal worth about CAD 78 million, overcoming lender attempts to push for liquidation and allowing the company to continue operations following financial struggles and a 2025 bankruptcy protection filing. The transaction preserves jobs and enables the luxury e-commerce platform to move forward under its original leadership.

• Emily Oberg breaks the “founder-CEO curse” at Sporty & Rich as she takes the helm of her brand: The Business of Fashion explores how Oberg, who founded the lifestyle and athleisure label Sporty & Rich and only recently stepped into the chief executive role she once delegated, is confronting the challenges that many founder-CEOs face, leaning into her personal vision and deep connection to the brand’s identity to move beyond being just its creative face and making operational leadership her own.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

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• Viral creator MrBeast hosted a live, hour-long Super Bowl Sunday event on the Whatnot marketplace platform where he gave away over $1 million in prizes to viewers: Prizes included big-ticket items like a Lamborghini Spyder, 2026 Super Bowl tickets, an original Bob Ross painting and a rare Tom Brady rookie card, as part of Whatnot’s “Big Game. Big Deals.” weekend. The livestream featured guest appearances from fellow creators like Logan Paul and others, and winners were selected live throughout the broadcast. Livestream commerce is turning entertainment into real-time retail moments, similar to how Cache leverages creator audiences and closet sales to drive hype, exclusivity and transactional engagement.

• Brands redirected Super Bowl budgets into creator-first campaigns: Doritos and DoorDash skipped traditional TV ads in favor of large-scale influencer activations featuring creators like Dylan Efron, 50 Cent, and niche internet personalities. Uber Eats launched an interactive in-app ad with Addison Rae, while Whatnot partnered with MrBeast on a $1M livestream giveaway. Meanwhile, Rhode and Rare Beauty hosted dueling influencer ski trips, Publicis Groupe launched a new sports-influencer offering ahead of the World Cup, and Chinese food brand Fly By Jing faced backlash over a hot pot collaboration criticized for cultural insensitivity, underscoring both the growing dominance and rising scrutiny of creator-led marketing.

• BoF Published A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Ready for AI Agents: As AI shopping agents from companies like Google and OpenAI begin driving measurable e-commerce traffic, BoF outlines how brands must prepare for “agentic commerce” by optimizing product data for generative search (GEO), deciding which AI platforms to partner with, integrating commerce protocols like Google’s UCP or OpenAI’s ACP, enabling bot-friendly checkout systems, and continuously monitoring how products surface in AI recommendations. While still early-stage and unlikely to deliver major short-term sales lifts, experts argue brands that delay risk losing visibility and control as AI intermediaries increasingly shape how consumers discover and purchase products.

• Leanne Elliott Young Launches a DPP hat will get you into Maximilian Raynor’s LFW party: In this The Scoop interview, Leanne Elliott Young explains her new IoDF platform focused on Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and reveals a collaboration with rising designer Maximilian Raynor for London Fashion Week, where 20 limited-edition DPP-enabled caps grant access to Raynor’s post-show party and act as scannable digital portals. She stresses that DPPs can help brands track resale ROI and consumer engagement, urges fashion companies to build AI literacy internally, and offers trend predictions for upcoming seasons—including shifts in fabrics and body-centric design—while positioning IoDF’s tech as a bridge between physical products, sustainability and digital identity.

• EU bans the destruction of unsold clothes and shoes: The European Union has adopted a landmark provision under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation that prohibits brands and retailers from routinely destroying unsold apparel, footwear and accessories, requiring instead that excess inventory be reused, recycled, donated or resold. Large companies must comply by July 19, 2026 (medium-sized firms by 2030), and standardized disclosures on unsold stock will be mandated to boost transparency and curb waste, which currently contributes millions of tons of CO₂ emissions annually, marking a major shift toward circularity in fashion and consumer goods supply chains

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• The fashion industry is shifting how it evaluates creator partnerships: There is now greater emphasis placed on engagement quality and business impact rather than traditional vanity metrics like likes and views. Brands are increasingly using data-driven approaches and new performance metrics to assess the real value creators bring, such as engagement rates, referral traffic, and conversions that connect directly to commercial outcomes. Short-form video, AI-powered discovery tools, and platform algorithm changes are reshaping which kinds of creator content perform best and how influence is quantified for value. As the creator economy continues to mature, fashion marketers are adjusting their measurement strategies to better capture long-term ROI and cultural relevance.

• Fashion grails are going up on the auction block: Major auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s are increasingly treating fashion as a serious collectible asset, with record-breaking sales like Jane Birkin’s original Birkin bag and Iris Apfel’s wardrobe far exceeding estimates. Millennials and Gen Z now make up a significant share of bidders, drawn to rare handbags, archival designer pieces, and collections that feel both attainable and historically meaningful. As over-saturation in everyday fashion grows, auctions offer younger consumers something scarce: objects with narrative and cultural capital, cementing fashion’s place alongside fine art as a long-term investment and status symbol.

• Pieter Mulier Is Versace’s New Chief Creative Officer: Mulier is the first non-Italian to lead the brand in its 48-year history, just months after Prada Group acquired the house and abruptly forced out Dario Vitale. While Mulier’s acclaimed tenure at Alaïa proves his independent creative strength, the article makes clear that his appointment is also a product of fashion’s tightly knit social ecosystem.

• Shein’s Brazil manufacturing push exposes the limits of its ultra-fast fashion model: Shein’s plan to turn Brazil into a major manufacturing hub for Latin America has largely stalled, despite a $150 million pledge and early partnerships with hundreds of factories. Strict labor laws, logistics challenges, and pressure on suppliers to slash prices and speed up production made Shein’s China-honed model difficult to replicate, leading most Brazilian manufacturers to exit the program. The setback highlights a broader issue for Shein as it eyes a Hong Kong IPO. Its low-cost, rapid-production system works best within China’s deeply integrated supply chain, and struggles when transplanted into markets with higher regulation and costs.

• Dior and Chanel push entry-level luxury to revive demand: Facing a luxury slowdown after steep price hikes, Dior and Chanel are expanding lower-priced handbags and accessories to bring shoppers back. Both have increased the share of leather goods under €4,000, leaning on small bags, accessories and hybrid styles as entry points, as 2026 luxury growth is expected to come from volume rather than further price increases. While refreshed creative directions help inject desirability, weaker consumer confidence remains a constraint on demand.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Jonathan Anderson debuts his first haute couture show for Dior: The collection was a symbolic and creative turning point for the house, marked both by a fresh, lighter approach to couture and the unexpected return of former Dior designer John Galliano to a Dior show for the first time since his 2011 dismissal. Galliano’s presence carried emotional weight, signaling closure and a willingness to move forward. Anderson’s collection reanimated couture by shedding heavy intellectualism and reverence for the past, blending sci-fi whimsy with historical silhouettes in a way that felt playful, liberated, and new rather than referential.

• Integrated Technology Is Reshaping Retail Operations: As fashion retailers face margin pressure, tariff uncertainty and rising consumer expectations for speed and personalization, executives are re-evaluating fragmented tech stacks in favor of integrated systems that unlock efficiency and cost savings. At Lightspeed Edge, industry leaders highlighted how unified POS, payments, CRM and marketing integrations can automate back-office operations, improve inventory visibility and connect online and offline customer journeys. Consumer data shows shoppers still value physical stores but expect seamless, data-driven experiences, pushing retailers to reposition stores as experiential hubs supported by AI and real-time analytics.

• Generative AI use in the Design Studio: Designers at brands like Alice + Olivia, Kate Spade and Revolve are increasingly using AI tools to generate prints, patterns and early design concepts, integrating outputs from platforms such as Leonardo AI and Adobe Firefly into their creative workflows. While some see these tools as speeding up ideation and saving significant time, others worry about originality, potential impacts on entry-level jobs and ethical issues around design reuse, with luxury houses like Chanel reportedly more cautious about adopting AI for core design work.

• Secondhand Apparel Market Set for Rapid Growth: A recent market analysis highlights that the global secondhand apparel segment is expanding quickly due to rising consumer demand for sustainable and affordable fashion with projections showing the market will expand to USD 485.97 Billion by 2031. Key drivers include Gen Z and Millennial preferences for unique, eco-friendly items, the rise of digital resale platforms, and brand-owned trade-in programs, fostering a robust circular economy.

• Kidswear Desirability Now Driven by CSR at Playtime 2026: At the Playtime trade show in January 2026, brands like Minimalisma, MarMar Copenhagen, and Gray Label showcased how corporate social and environmental responsibility—including use of natural and durable materials, production transparency and circular initiatives like pre-loved clothing exchanges—is increasingly central to desirability in the kidswear market, reflecting a shift from purely trend-driven design toward sustainability and ethical values among children’s fashion buyers.

• Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel haute couture debut for Spring/Summer 2026: The couture show transformed the Grand Palais into a surreal, fairy-tale forest filled with giant pastel mushrooms. As the fourth designer in the house’s 116-year history, Blazy focused on lightweight, nature-inspired pieces, featuring transparent silks, feather fringes, and reimagined denim. The collection, following his October 2025 ready-to-wear debut, received a standing ovation, marking a triumphant start for the new artistic director.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Pacsun launched its new social-commerce app, PS Community Hub: The hub lets creators share content, build followings and earn affiliate commissions within the Pacsun ecosystem, with top performers gaining opportunities to co-create capsule collections with the brand. The platform also gives Pacsun deeper insight into Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers, building on initiatives like its Youth Advisory Council and the “Pacsun Youth Report.” The app’s launch reinforces the growing value of trusted curators in driving commerce.

• Goodwill’s online marketplace, ShopGoodwill.com, just had its biggest year ever, generating $450 million in sales and turning donated goods into funding for workforce programs: The platform lets local Goodwill organizations auction donated items nationwide, reaching a broader audience and focusing on higher-value or niche goods. Unlike other peer-to-peer resale sites, 90% of each sale goes back to the local organization, supporting job training and workforce programs, while AI-powered tools and upcoming website updates aim to improve listing speed and shopper experience. ShopGoodwill.com’s growth highlights how e-commerce enables nonprofits to scale impact beyond brick-and-mortar stores, even amid rising competition in the resale market.

• Returns continue to challenge fashion retailers, but AI and better fit tools could finally help prevent costly mistakes: Rising return rates, particularly from last-minute and impulse purchases, cost retailers billions and threaten profitability, while poor return experiences can alienate customers. Experts suggest that prevention—through AI-driven sizing, fit recommendations, and improved product data—offers a more sustainable solution than post-purchase penalties or stricter policies. Exchanges remain underutilized, but when combined with personalized service and technology, they present opportunities to retain revenue and strengthen customer relationships. Overall, fashion-tech innovations are increasingly focused on reducing returns while enhancing both efficiency and shopper experience.

• The RealReal is using an AI‑powered system called “Athena” in its warehouse to authenticate luxury resale: Athena analyzes images and counterfeit risk scores to route items for manual review or direct listing, significantly reducing processing time and labor needs. As of late 2025, about 27% of items were processed by the system with plans to expand that share, helping the company list goods faster and more efficiently. The technology also supports human authenticators by automating routine checks, which could improve throughput and seller satisfaction as resale volumes grow.

• Many fashion brands are still missing out on the resale opportunity even as secondhand clothing sales surge: Due to operational challenges like inventory management, pricing, and logistics, many brands haven’t fully integrated resale into their business models. Some brands are reluctant to risk cannibalizing full‑price sales or lack the infrastructure to manage pre‑owned inventory effectively, leaving third‑party marketplaces to capture most of the value. This hesitation means brands may be missing a chance to build deeper customer relationships through circular commerce.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• After Saks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, its once-promising partnership with Amazon has turned contentious: Amazon is now fighting Saks’s bankruptcy financing plan in court. Amazon invested $475 million in Saks as part of a deal tied to Saks’s acquisition of Neiman Marcus and expected to sell Saks products on its platform, but now claims that investment is “presumptively worthless” and alleges Saks failed to meet financial and performance commitments. The e-commerce giant argues the proposed $1.75 billion debtor-in-possession financing would worsen its position as a creditor and has warned of “drastic remedies” if its concerns aren’t addressed. A judge has so far allowed interim financing, but the dispute highlights deep tensions between the two companies as Saks navigates its bankruptcy proceedings.

  

• Influencer Paige Lorenze and tennis pro Tommy Paul have launched a new charitable initiative that blends sport, fashion, and philanthropy: The project centers on limited-edition merchandise and fundraising activations, with proceeds supporting causes the couple is personally invested in. Lorenze framed the venture as a way to turn their shared platforms into tangible impact, while Paul emphasized using tennis’ visibility to give back beyond the court. The collaboration reflects a broader shift toward creator- and athlete-led philanthropy that’s community-driven and commerce-enabled.

  

• Fashion companies are increasingly pushing employees back to the office five days a week: The argument being that in-person work is essential for creativity, collaboration, and mentoring junior talent. Brands like luxury houses and retailers say design, merchandising, and product development suffer without physical proximity, even as workers push back on flexibility after years of hybrid norms. Critics warn that rigid mandates risk hurting retention—especially among younger talent and caregivers—at a time when the industry is already struggling to attract skilled workers. The shift highlights a growing tension between fashion’s traditional, studio-centric culture and evolving expectations around work-life balance.

  

• Balenciaga and Manolo Blahnik have teamed up for a Fall 2026 collaboration: The capsule reworks iconic styles—think Hangisi pumps and knee-high boots—with exaggerated proportions, distressed finishes, and bold branding. Presented during Paris Fashion Week, the drop underscores Balenciaga’s continued push to remix heritage luxury through a contemporary, often ironic lens. The partnership highlights how legacy footwear codes are being refreshed to resonate with a younger, fashion-forward audience.

  

• Direct-to-consumer brands like Beyond Yoga, Mejuri, and Coterie are accelerating their push into physical retail: The move comes as customer acquisition costs rise and online growth slows. Stores are being used less as pure sales channels and more as brand-building hubs that deepen loyalty, support omnichannel shopping, and improve retention. Executives say in-person experiences help drive higher lifetime value by combining discovery, service, and community in ways digital alone can’t. The shift signals a broader DTC reset: brick-and-mortar is no longer optional, but a core pillar of sustainable growth.

  

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Vestiaire Collective co-founder and longtime president Fanny Moizant has announced she is leaving the luxury resale platform after 16 years: This marks the end of a major chapter for the business she helped build since its 2009 launch. Moizant said her departure came as part of recent organizational changes and was not a decision she initiated, though she described her time at the company as a meaningful mission to “change the fashion industry from the inside” through circularity. Her exit follows a broader leadership reshuffle—Vestiaire replaced CEO Maximilian Bittner with former CFO Bernard Osta in October 2025—and comes amid intensified competition in the resale space. The move signals a transitional moment for the global secondhand marketplace as it pushes ahead under new management.

  

• In 2026, brands are shifting influencer marketing away from one-off, pay-to-post campaigns toward long-term, strategic partnerships: Creators will act as consultants and collaborators on product and marketing strategy rather than just promotional tools. With aesthetic stills losing traction, video and community-driven content—including outlets like newsletters and real-world events—are becoming more important for authentic engagement and discovery. New commerce models, such as creator-curated storefronts, are emerging alongside these collaborations, giving influencers richer roles in the sales funnel. As a result, brands are increasingly integrating creators into their core teams and budgets to build cultural relevance and deeper consumer relationships rather than just chasing reach.

  

• Saks is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as this Sunday: The company plans to enter bankruptcy without a pre-arranged restructuring deal but is negotiating a $1.25 billion debtor-in-possession financing package with creditors to keep operations running and help pay vendors during the process. The move comes amid years of financial strain, including heavy debt from the 2024 Neiman Marcus acquisition and missed interest payments, and follows leadership changes aimed at stabilizing the business. While timing remains fluid, the filing would mark a major turning point for the iconic luxury department store’s future.

  

• E-commerce startup Swap has raised $100 million just six months after closing a $40 million round: The news underscores strong investor appetite for alternatives to Shopify. The company offers an all-in-one commerce platform that bundles storefronts with logistics, fulfillment, returns, and customer support—pitching itself as a simpler, more vertically integrated solution for scaling brands. The fresh capital will fund international expansion, deeper logistics infrastructure, and product development as Swap targets mid-to-large merchants frustrated with the complexity and cost of stitching together Shopify apps. The rapid back-to-back raises signal growing momentum behind end-to-end commerce platforms as brands look to consolidate their tech stacks.

  

• Holiday e-commerce spending in the U.S. hit a record high of $258 billion in 2025: This is up modestly from the previous year, with consumers increasingly using AI assistants to discover deals and streamline shopping. Retailers report that AI tools—from chatbot helpers to personalized recommendation engines—boosted conversion rates and helped shoppers navigate promotions, especially for last-minute purchases. While overall growth was relatively flat compared with pre-holiday forecasts, AI-driven features were credited with driving higher engagement and basket sizes. Analysts say this hybrid model of traditional online shopping plus digital assistants will be a key driver of future holiday season performance.

  

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Search engines still drive most traffic, but AI-led discovery is quickly changing how shoppers find and choose products and brands are already feeling the shift: Nearly a quarter of consumers now start shopping with generative AI, with shopping-related AI searches up 4,700% year over year and platforms like ChatGPT sending meaningful traffic to fashion retailers. As shoppers increasingly trust AI recommendations over paid ads, brands that don’t show up in these AI-generated answers risk becoming invisible. This is pushing the rise of generative engine optimization (GEO), where structured product data, clear descriptions and third-party signals matter as much as traditional SEO. Looking ahead, agentic commerce—where AI compares, recommends and even buys on a shopper’s behalf—raises the stakes further, making AI visibility, content readiness and brand differentiation essential as discovery shifts away from websites and into AI intermediaries.

• OpenAI has launched its first public merchandise shop called OpenAI Supply Co.: The shop is to mark OpenAI’s 10th anniversary, giving fans the first chance to buy branded apparel, hats and collectible trading cards that were previously available only to employees. The drop (which sold out quickly in many sizes) leans into AI culture and references projects like GPT-5 and Sora, offering a playful look at the company’s internal vibe and mission alongside classic swag staples. For tech and AI enthusiasts, the merch has become a new way to signal affiliation with OpenAI’s brand and broader cultural moment.

• PacSun has entered the resale space with PS Vintage Powered by Springy: The dedicated vintage fashion platform offers thousands of one-of-a-kind pre-loved pieces (from graphic tees and hoodies to denim and jackets) curated for Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers. The collection, developed in collaboration with resale specialist Springy and informed by input from PacSun’s Youth Advisory Council, is live online now and is rolling out in 15 stores nationwide in January 2026. Each item is uniquely tagged by size, year and category to make vintage discovery feel intentional and culturally relevant. PacSun says the launch reflects its understanding that vintage; tied to nostalgia, individuality and sustainable style, is central to its community’s shopping habits.

• Luxury retailer Matches is making a comeback after its collapse earlier this year, with new owners planning to relaunch the business in a more streamlined form: Rather than reviving the full-scale global operation that struggled under high costs and a tough luxury slowdown, the reboot will focus on a tighter assortment, a digital-first strategy and a clearer point of view. The return reflects a broader reset happening in luxury e-commerce, where scale and excess inventory are giving way to profitability, curation and operational discipline. Matches’ revival signals that while the old model may be broken, there’s still belief in demand for thoughtfully curated, multi-brand luxury — just with far less margin for error.

• Zalando is preparing to roll out virtual try-on to all customers in 2026 after nearly eight years of experimentation, buoyed by major gains from generative AI: Early tests showed promising results; including a 40 percent drop in returns, as newer AI models made try-on imagery far more realistic, better capturing fabric, fit and body variation without requiring full body scans or avatars. The shift reflects a broader industry moment: generative AI has lowered the cost and complexity of building virtual try-on, fueling both retailer adoption and a wave of startups racing to make the tech faster, more shareable and more emotionally engaging. While consumer usage is still low today, brands are increasingly viewing virtual try-on not just as a returns fix, but as a styling, discovery and confidence-building tool — one that could meaningfully influence conversion as realism, trust and habit catch up to the technology.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Influencer collaborations are making a major comeback, and Roller Rabbit’s recent Lilly Sisto capsule shows why: After leaving wholesale in 2022, the brand has turned to creator-led drops to reach fresh audiences; with Sisto’s deeply personal pyjama and loungewear collection bringing in 38% of first-time customers. They’re not alone: Retailers and labels from Nordstrom to Reformation and Ring Concierge are reviving influencer partnerships after a lull in the early 2020s, drawn by their efficiency, clearer creative roles and stronger storytelling power compared to brand–brand collabs. With creators offering hyper-engaged followings, real-time data on what fans want, and an authenticity that outperforms polished campaigns, brands are using these capsules to enter new regions, test new categories and tap into audiences far beyond Instagram.

• Leandra Medine Cohen is auctioning 30+ pre-loved pieces—from Prada to Margiela—on her eBay storefront: The auction runs through Dec. 18, as part of the platform’s “From the Collection” series (previously featuring Emma Chamberlain and Chappell Roan). The sale spans everything from an early-career sheer Dolce & Gabbana dress to her well-loved Dries Van Noten coat, with bidding starting at 99 cents and proceeds supporting Sharsheret, a nonprofit aiding Jewish women affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Known for her eclectic, high-low style, Medine Cohen says reselling is a natural part of her wardrobe philosophy, clothes should circulate, evolve and gather new stories. She also notes that her aesthetic has matured post-kids while her love of fashion remains intact. At Cache, we’re betting on influencer closets for the future of resale and this kind of high-profile, narrative-driven resale moment is an encouraging signal.

• Shopify is rolling out an “agentic storefront” tool that lets brands manage how their products appear across AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Copilot: The tool allows brands to manage the appearance of products without needing separate integrations, centralizing product data, FAQs, schema and brand voice guardrails so LLMs surface more accurate information. While the tool isn’t truly “agentic” in the technical sense, and the AI still can’t autonomously complete purchases, it gives brands something they’ve badly needed this year—attribution. Shopify will now show which AI platform drove a sale and what consumers were asking about, tightening the feedback loop as marketing teams race to optimize for AI search. With LLM-powered shopping accelerating (AI-referred retail traffic was up 805% on Black Friday), Shopify’s move signals that AI-first discovery is becoming standard, and that platforms are preparing brands for the next era of commerce even before autonomous shopping fully arrives.

• eBay has officially launched eBay Live in Australia, bringing its interactive livestream shopping platform (already established in the US, UK and Germany) to a new market: The feature blends real-time video broadcasts with eBay’s trusted marketplace, allowing shoppers to chat with sellers, see products up close and access limited deals as they drop. The debut stream featured AFL star Buddy Franklin auctioning rare trading cards, with “Heartbreak High” actor Chloe Hayden set to host Pokémon-themed 1-cent auctions this weekend. For eBay, the launch marks a push to reimagine local commerce and help Australian sellers build community and visibility through a more dynamic, entertainment-driven shopping experience which are the core values fashion tech re-commerce is built on.

• Large language models are rapidly reshaping how consumers search and shop: LLMs compress the entire discovery-to-decision funnel into a single conversational window and push brands into a new era of answer-engine optimization. With partnerships like OpenAI–Shopify–Etsy and new agentic tools from Google and Perplexity, AI-driven shopping is still small but growing fast, and early behaviour shows that brands excluded from an AI-generated shortlist risk becoming invisible. Startups like Profound, fresh off a $35 million raise, are helping retailers adapt by structuring product content for AI crawlers rather than humans, as LLMs increasingly power comparison, research and provenance checks across categories, including luxury fashion. The takeaway is blunt: This is the biggest platform shift since the dawn of search, and brands that don’t optimise for AI won’t just miss traffic. They’ll miss the new front door of the internet.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Gen Z’s holiday shopping is tilting decisively toward secondhand, driven by budget pressure and a cultural shift toward uniqueness and sustainability: With Gen Z’s planned holiday spending down 23 percent, resale offers both affordability and access to better-quality brands. According to eBay, 86% are more likely to buy a used gift this year. But it’s also about taste: raised on TikTok thrift hauls and inspired by influencers who made secondhand aspirational, young shoppers crave pieces with personality and history. Pandemic-era critiques of fast fashion accelerated this shift, while nostalgia cycles and the hunt-and-discover thrill keep them hooked. From Goodwill to The RealReal, Gen Z buyers (and sellers) are reshaping resale into a mainstream holiday economy, one where a $40 fur coat or secondhand Chanel is the new definition of thoughtful gifting.

• National Clothing Swap Day is happening across America on December 6 and is gaining momentum, with community groups, campuses and local organizations across the country hosting swap events to encourage reuse over new consumption: The initiative pushes back against fast fashion’s waste cycle by offering people a fun, low-cost, hyper-social way to refresh their wardrobes sustainably. From neighbourhood swap parties to student-led events, the day is turning clothing exchange into a celebratory ritual and a reminder that circular fashion doesn’t have to be complicated to make an impact.

• Vintage retailer What Goes Around Comes Around has launched a week-long auction of iconic Hermès Birkin bags, running through December 8: All proceeds from the sales will go to charity organization God’s Love We Deliver. The “7 Days of Birkin” event kicks off with bids starting at just $1, dramatically opening access to rare collector’s items while supporting a good cause. The auction’s launch includes a Birkin 30 from the brand’s 2011 “Candy” collection, which drew 206 bids and hammered down at $9,600. The campaign underscores a growing trend: vintage luxury handbags aren’t just style symbols anymore. They’re circulating as highly visible, socially conscious assets.

• Gen Alpha (kids ages 7 to 14) is emerging as a powerful holiday-season consumer group, reshaping retail even before they have real spending power: Despite relying on parents for transportation and budgets, this cohort already influences nearly half of household purchases and drives $101 billion in direct U.S. spending. Their “mall” is social media: TikTok Shop, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch and Amazon-powered live streams collapse inspiration and checkout into seconds, pushing brands to redirect holiday budgets from glossy commercials to micro-influencers, unboxings and creator-led gift guides. Beauty, fashion and viral collectibles dominate their wish lists, with shareability (not status) as the unifying factor. BCG reports 40% of young consumers already use AI as a co-shopper, and Gen Alpha is twice as likely to buy from micro-creators than mega-influencers. What they reward is transparency, education and authenticity; what they reject is hype. Brands like Nike and Drunk Elephant are winning by explaining products clearly and offering real choice. And because the “gateway generation” shapes millennial parents’ wallets as much as their own, their preferences are already moving holiday forecasts; signaling a future where retail must be faster, more transparent and more creator-native than ever.

• Gen Z’s new favourite life hack is renting everything from clothes and couches to baby strollers, as the generation leans hard into flexibility over ownership: With high living costs, unstable housing and a desire to avoid long-term commitments, young consumers are embracing rental platforms for both necessity and experimentation. Renting lets them try trends, upgrade living spaces quickly, avoid big upfront costs and skip the waste of fast furniture and fast fashion. Brands and startups are responding with subscription models, short-term rentals and “Rent the Runway–style” options across categories. For Gen Z, it’s not just financial, it’s philosophical: why own when you can access, rotate and return?

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

Cache is the first influencer-led resale marketplace. A place to buy what your favorite creators actually wore, not just what they recommend.

Download the app to unlock the internet’s most coveted closets.

• Black Friday and Cyber Monday remain a crucial but conflicted moment for fashion, a revenue lifeline wrapped in the optics of overconsumption: With up to half of some brands’ annual revenue concentrated in this period, even sustainability-minded labels can’t afford to sit it out. Many are instead reframing the weekend: Christy Dawn uses simplified, lower-impact versions of its bestsellers to bring new customers into the fold; Everlane pairs deep discounts with its longstanding Black Friday Fund, channeling attention into supply-chain and environmental initiatives; Veja counters the frenzy with “Repair Friday,” offering free sneaker repairs; and Asket shuts down entirely, keeping stores open only for mending to encourage slower habits. Taken together, these approaches show a sector trying to balance survival with values; proving that responsible participation is becoming the new strategy rather than opting out altogether.

• Just in time for the holiday rush, Google has rolled out a suite of AI-driven shopping tools from conversational search and price tracking to an “agentic” feature that can actually call stores to check stock and deals for you: The updates let shoppers describe what they’re looking for (even by voice) and receive fully shoppable results with images, reviews, pricing, and comparisons. The “Let Google Call” function adds a local twist, bridging online browsing and real-world availability. It’s a strong signal that AI is rapidly shifting from experimental tool to a full-on digital shopping assistant.

• A new wave of luxury shoppers are embracing wear-and-tear as a status symbol, valuing patina, scratches and lived-in character over pristine pieces: Platforms like The RealReal, Vestiaire, eBay and Fashionphile report rising searches and sales for “as-is” and pre-worn bags, with patina leather up double digits and Gen Z leading demand. Influencers like Kit Keenan and stylists such as Amanda Lee Burkett frame imperfections as proof of taste, rarity and individuality; especially in a market where luxury price hikes and ubiquitous social shopping have made retail feel homogenous. From Chanel’s slouchy 2.55s to Prada’s pre-patina gallerias, even the runways are leaning in. The shift loosens the historical link between brands and status, elevating story, scarcity and personal wear as the new markers of luxury.

• Fashion brands are quietly returning to standalone mobile apps, despite the high development costs and steep competition for home-screen real estate: As Glossy reports, companies from Alo Yoga to Aritzia are betting that owned apps offer what social platforms can’t: deeper data, tighter customer relationships and more control over conversion. With shoppers increasingly fatigued by algorithmic feeds, brands see apps as a direct line to loyal customers; enabling personalized experiences, push-led retention, exclusive drops and higher LTV. The renewed push signals a shift toward rebuilding owned channels as the cost of acquiring and keeping customers on third-party platforms continues to climb.

• Gorpcore’s rise from niche outdoor subculture to mainstream fashion staple is accelerating a far more complex issue: the everyday spread of high-performance chemicals into consumer wardrobes. At the center are PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that make waterproof shells and stain-repellent pants possible but also persist in the environment, accumulate in the body and are tied to serious health risks. Despite years of scrutiny, PFAS remain deeply embedded in technical supply chains, and transitioning away has proven slow and costly, though brands like Patagonia, Páramo, Keen and Houdini show it’s possible with new materials, tighter testing and redesigned product lines. The challenge is that as luxury and lifestyle brands adopt gorpcore aesthetics, performance gear is being used daily rather than seasonally, accelerating abrasion, shedding and chemical exposure — and scaling production volumes that were never meant for urban wardrobes. The path forward will require stronger chemical management, realistic communication (not “PFAS-free” oversimplifications), and a cultural shift toward repair, maintenance and product longevity, especially as technical fashion keeps moving from the mountains straight into the mainstream.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚

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• America’s overstock and returns crisis has quietly ballooned into an 8.4-billion-pound problem, with roughly 17 percent of online inventory ending up in landfills because retailers lack the infrastructure, and incentives, to process returns for resale: Rebel, a Toronto- and New York-based recommerce platform, is betting it can change that. The company just secured a $25 million Series B led by Jay-Z’s MarcyPen Capital Partners, following a Serena Ventures–backed Series A in 2024, to scale its resale network and the AI software behind it. At its 300,000-square-foot North Carolina warehouse, Rebel processes more than 70,000 unique items a week using tech that inspects, logs, and condition-tags every return, then dynamically prices products more than ten times a day. Founder Emily Hosie, a veteran of Saks Off Fifth and TJ Maxx, calls returns “a totally different infrastructure,” and says retailers long denied the problem existed. Rebel’s 2,640 percent growth in three years; and its expansion into home goods, travel, outdoor gear, and soon consumer electronics, suggests the industry may finally be paying attention. The company plans a West Coast footprint in 2026 as it positions itself as the go-to destination for open-box, never-used deals.

• The State of Fashion 2025 report from BoF Insights and McKinsey warns of a turbulent year ahead: 80 percent of execs don’t expect industry conditions to improve, and 70 percent cite weakening consumer confidence as their top risk. Sustainability has slipped down the priority list, with just 18 percent calling it a top-three concern. Amid macroeconomic headwinds and regional trade challenges, brands are being urged to pivot toward value-led strategies like resale and off-price. Growth will come from volume, not price, and companies are planning deeper localization, diversified pricing, and richer omni-channel experiences. Key themes include smarter inventory management, AI-enabled discovery, and reinvigorating the in-store visit through empowered staff. Luckily, fashion tech startups; from AI-powered resale infrastructure to search and discovery tools, are already building the systems the industry will increasingly depend on.

• The circular-fashion industry, especially rental and resale, is shifting from a fragmented ecosystem to a more consolidated, profitable model: Leading the charge is MyWardrobe HQ, which has acquired platforms like Rotaro, Cercle, and Cocoon, creating a unified service that handles resale, rental, logistics, and sourcing. The newly merged business serves 170,000 users, holds over £10 million in inventory, and partners with brands like Harrods and Burberry. While resale and sample-sale segments are turning a profit, rental remains challenging. The consolidation reflects a broader trend: companies are streamlining operations and leaning on data-driven subscription models to scale, as consumers increasingly treat their wardrobes as long-term cultural investments.

• Vogue is asking whether we’ve hit “peak gift guide:” In a world where TikTok, Instagram, and Substack creators flood us with ultra-specific “gifts for your niche friend” lists, many readers are growing skeptical: some feel these guides are formulaic, commercial, or just SEO plays. According to the Vogue piece, emotional connection and trusted curation may be the key to standing out — people now want guides that feel personal, not transactional. As consumer confidence softens, the smartest curators are leaning into specificity and authenticity over volume.

• Target is doubling down on circular fashion with its Universal Thread brand, now valued at over $1 billion: Designed for sustainability, the line features 20% recycled cotton in its denim and digital IDs that link to product details and resale options, helping extend the lifecycle of clothing. Universal Thread is part of Target’s wider “Target Forward” climate strategy, which aims for zero waste to landfill and fully circular owned-brand products by 2040. The brand also pilots clothing take-back programs, giving shoppers the chance to recycle old apparel responsibly.

Have thoughts/opinions/questions on any of the above? Let’s discuss! Join the conversation at the link above.

With love and hot girl energy,

Cache 💚