H&M

Fashion Retailer Has $1M for Best Recycling Idea

H&M wants to reduce environmental strains of 'fast fashion'

(Newser) - H&M—the second most-profitable clothing store in the world—has drawn criticism for embodying the "fast-fashion" model of retail. Fast-fashion basically means overproducing cheap clothing, which can be good for consumers but not so good for workers and the environment. (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver explains the... More »

H&M: We'll Pay Living Wage to Bangladesh Workers

Clothing company announces new plan

(Newser) - H&M is doing something to combat the terrible conditions that so many garment workers in Bangladesh and Cambodia endure: The cheap clothing giant will make sure the workers making its products in those countries receive a living wage, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Swedish company (fun fact: Its... More »

Worker Walkout Closes Hundreds of Factories in Bangladesh

Meanwhile, clothing companies vow to improve safety in the country

(Newser) - Bangladesh's entire renowned garment manufacturing hub has been shut down indefinitely, after 80% of its workers walked off the job. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association announced its decision to close the almost 500 factories in the Ashulia industrial zone "to ensure the security of our factories,... More »

Swimsuit Maker Apologizes for Tan Model

Sweden's H&M apologizes after taking flak

(Newser) - The tanning wars continue: Swedish retailer H&M has apologized for using a deeply bronzed model to show off a swimsuit, reports AFP . "We are sorry," said the company. "It was not our intention to show off a specific ideal or to encourage dangerous behavior, but was... More »

And This Year's Top Super Bowl Ads Were...

Doritos' bungee baby, Clint Eastwood for Chrysler lead the way

(Newser) - Sure, the New York Giants won the game itself, but Doritos was the big winner of the Super Bowl contest that really mattered—the ad race. Doritos' baby bungee scored the most Twitter mentions, a big 48,498 tweets, reports the Wall Street Journal; it also took the top spot... More »

Jimmy Choo Steps Into H&M

Fashion collection will include designs for men and women

(Newser) - Christmas has come early for recessionistas: Jimmy Choo is teaming up with the budget-conscious retail chain H&M, the AP reports. The shoemaker, adored by Sex and the City’s Carrie, will also include bags, accessories, and clothing in its collection, to launch Nov. 14. “We adore Jimmy Choo’... More »

Cheaper 'Fast Fashion' Booms in Japan

Recessionistas head to cheaper chain stores in once-superstylish district

(Newser) - In Tokyo’s Harajuku district, designer brands are making way for cheaper “fast fashion” stores, where $100 buys an outfit, bag, shoes, and accessories. The most recent chain to debut, Forever 21, drew massive crowds—in a scene reminiscent of November, when 2,500 did the same thing next... More »

H&M Named Europe's Most Valuable Brand

Interbrand says strong 'own-label' is key to international success

(Newser) - Swedish clothing chain H&M was named Europe’s most valuable brand in the inaugural ranking of retailers on the continent by Interbrand, the brand consulting firm, reports the Financial Times. H&M’s brand value was placed at $20.7 billion. French retailer Carrefour ($13.2 billion) and Sweden’... More »