Retailers Destination XL Group and FullBeauty Brands agreed to merge, creating a bigger player in the size-inclusive apparel market, the companies announced on Thursday.
DXL Big + Tall
The combined company generates approximately $1.2 billion of annual net sales, and expects cost synergies of $25 million by 2027.
FullBeauty shareholders are set to own 55% of the combined company while Destination XL (DXL) shareholders will own 45%.
The plus-size clothing market broadly has grown amid a drive for more body positivity and even users of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic are ready to spend on apparel as they drop clothing sizes, industry analysts have said. However, the risk to DXL and FullBeauty is that customers will lose enough weight that they have to shop elsewhere.
DXL operates over 250 stores across the DXL and Casual Male XL banners, which sell clothes for big and tall men. FullBeauty has a portfolio of over a dozen plus-size brands including Cuup, Woman Within and Roaman’s.
DXL shares had fallen around 45% year-to-date as its total revenue has also declined year-over-year. Its shares closed at $1.56 on Thursday for an $84 million market capitalization. FullBeauty emerged from bankruptcy in 2019 and Oaktree Capital Management is its largest investor.
The combined company will be better positioned to meet customers, including those using GLP-1 medications, at every stage of their weight-fluctuation journey through offerings such as DXL’s FiTMAP and FullBeauty’s free exchange program, the companies said.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and approval by DXL shareholders.
Louis Vuitton announced on Thursday the appointment of American actress, Chase Infiniti, as its newest house ambassador.
Chase Infiniti – Courtesy
Born in Indianapolis, Infiniti has shot to recent fame for her roles across film and television. The 25-year-old has caught attention for her performance in David E. Kelley’s series “Presumed Innocent” (2024) and in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, “One Battle After Another ” released this year.
The star has already accrued a 2025 Gotham Award nomination for Breakthrough Performer, nomination for Best Performance for Female Actor in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy for the 2026 Golden Globes and a nomination for the Best Actress for the 2026 Critic’s Choice Award.
Looking ahead, Infiniti will feature in “The Handmaid’s Tale” sequel, “The Testaments”, released in April next year.
“Chase Infiniti perfectly embodies Louis Vuitton’s powerful and timeless femininity, reflecting the shared values that unite her with the house,” said the Parisian maison, in a press release.
“Through her artistry, she brings to the house a rare balance of youthful dynamism and forward-looking vision.”
It’s not the first time Infiniti and the LVMH-owned brand have collided.
The actor attended the last two women’s runway shows — the Fall-Winter 2025 and Spring-Summer 2026 collections by Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of women’s collections, the latter presented at the Musée du Louvre, last September.
She also wore a custom Louis Vuitton champagne satin hand-embroidered gown inspired by an archive from 1860 at the world premiere of “One Battle After Another” movie in September.
“I have watched Chase’s debut with genuine delight, I find her totally captivating in the roles she plays. Beyond her remarkable talent, she radiates an authenticity that is truly unforgettable” said Ghesquière.
In addition to Infiniti, Louis Vuitton’s current roster of brand ambassadors includes a mix of global stars from fashion, music and sports — for example Zendaya has fronted campaigns for the house, and Pusha T has been announced as a brand ambassador under Pharrell Williams’s creative direction for men’s.
Other ambassadors include J-Hope from BTS, K-pop stars Lisa and Felix, Jackson Wang and BamBam, and top athletes like Victor Wembanyama and Carlos Alcaraz.
Asian beauty retailer Sukoshi announced on Thursday plans to accelerate its U.S. expansion with a series of major openings at high-traffic shopping centres across the country.
Sukoshi ramps up U.S. growth with major 2025 mall openings. – Sukoshi
The company plans to debut new stores in 2025 at King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania, Lenox Square in Atlanta, Aventura Mall in Miami, Bellevue Square in Washington, and Garden State Plaza in New Jersey, marking its largest U.S. rollout to date. By the end of 2026, Sukoshi expects to operate more than 40 locations.
“As Asian beauty continues to shape global standards, we’re proud to be leading its expansion across North America,” said Linda Dang, CEO of Sukoshi. “Scaling is not just about opening stores. It is about setting a new standard for Asian beauty and giving customers a place where education and discovery feel natural.”
Most recently, in September, Sukoshi opened its largest New York City location on the Upper East Side, which marked its 15th store. It also became the exclusive retailer for global cult-favorite brands Red Chamber and Girlcult.
Founded in 2018, Sukoshi has built a strong presence in the growing Asian beauty category, offering a curated selection of more than 200 brands from Korea, Japan, and across Asia.
The retailer is also positioning itself as a brand accelerator, offering partners access to retail space, influencer collaborations, pop-up activations, and North American distribution.
Gap is teaming up with beauty brand Summer Fridays on a limited-edition capsule collection set to launch Friday, marking the skincare label’s first venture into apparel.
Gap partners with Summer Fridays on first apparel collaboration. – Gap × Summer Fridays
The 20-piece Gap × Summer Fridays line blends Gap’s signature comfort and timeless design with Summer Fridays’ minimalist Southern California aesthetic to offer soft knits, fleece sets, matching pajamas, and gift-ready accessories.
Notably, the collection features loungewear in Summer Fridays’ recognizable colour palette, including Pink Sugar, Cherry, Vanilla, and the brand’s distinctive Jet Lag Mask blue.
Other key pieces include mix-and-match knitwear and fleece sets, and flannel poplin pajamas and matching henley sets. The launch also includes accessories such as CashSoft socks and headbands, as well as a beauty bundle curated exclusively for the collaboration, featuring items like the Jet Lag Mask and Vanilla Lip Butter Balm.
To mark the launch, Gap and Summer Fridays will host a special pop-up experience at the Gap store at The Grove in Los Angeles. The event will offer treats, custom embroidery with purchase, an interactive charm bar, and an appearance from campaign star Barbie Ferreira.