Ted Baker may not be a name immediately associated with sport but owner Authentic Brands Group is hoping it will be from next month when the new Ted Baker Sport line debuts.
Ted Baker Sport
And no, it’s not simply sporty pieces that are more about the ‘leisure’ element of the word ‘athleisure’ than the ‘ath’ bit. This is a full-on performance selection mixed in with a strong dose of trend and a very Ted Baker look (the use of archive Ted Baker prints helps here).
Launching on 13 November across the UK and Western Europe, the company’s offering men’s and women’s “performance apparel with British style”.
It added that the collection “redefines sportswear by blending innovative design, functional performance, and the brand’s signature British DNA”.
What we’re talking about here are pieces designed for the gym, for running, for the yoga mat, for the tennis court and more. And of course, as is the case with any modern active collection, the pieces can also work for any everyday activity the wearer chooses.
Ted Baker Sport
“Ted Baker has always been synonymous with quality, detail, and personality. With Ted Baker Sport, we’re bringing those values into a new space, where movement and performance meet effortless style,” said Henry Stupp, Authentic’s president, EMEAI.
Women’s highlights include supportive yoga bras and sculpt leggings with Vapour Dry and Aeroflow technology. There are layering pieces such as studio sweatshirts and wrap cardigans, and performance-driven tennis dresses and skorts in seasonal colours and prints.
For men, the range features Aeroflow performance tees, woven shorts with hidden storage, lightweight hybrid jackets, and warm-up track separates designed to “balance comfort with functionality”.
Fashion elements include peekaboo cuts on sweaters or scalloped trims on bras and leggings, reflective details and those aforementioned print accents. And an on-trend wine tone is a key colour.
As also mentioned, this is a performance collection so it uses fabrics like nylon-elastane blends, scuba knits, and lightweight wovens with technical benefits like stretch, shape retention, moisture management, and thermal comfort.
Its premium positioning sees pricing that starts at £35 for essentials and rises to £250 for layering pieces and outerwear.
Authentic acquired the once-high-flying brand back in 2022 and has been reviving it with new license agreements globally. And this latest move is clearly a big deal for the label.
Ted Baker Sport
It will be supported by PR and plenty of online activity plus influencer links (with an influencer event planned for next month, we’re told).
It said “this launch cements Ted Baker’s evolution into lifestyle performance, ensuring every detail echoes Ted Baker’s legacy while meeting the needs of the modern, active consumer”.
Activist investor Elliott Management has amassed a stake of more than $1 billion in Lululemon Athletica and is lining up a potential CEO candidate as it pushes to revive the struggling athletic apparel retailer, a source told Reuters on Wednesday.
Lululemon
Elliott has been working closely for months with veteran retail executive Jane Nielsen, former chief financial officer and chief operations officer at Ralph Lauren, and views her as a potential CEO candidate, the source added.
The hedge fund is now one of Lululemon’s biggest investors, with the move coming amid a busy year for Elliott that already includes a recent investment in PepsiCo and an earlier proxy fight at Phillips66.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the stake. Elliott and Lululemon did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Last week, Lululemon said CEO Calvin McDonald would step down in January after seven years in the role, without naming a successor. Its share price rose after news of McDonald’s impending departure but has dropped about 60% from its peak two years ago.
The company, valued at $25 billion, now likely faces an expensive and drawn-out board dispute over the position of CEO. Its founder and largest shareholder, Chip Wilson, has also called for an urgent CEO search, led by new, independent directors with deep company knowledge to restore a product-first focus.
Wilson, who has previously courted criticism by saying some women’s body shapes “just actually don’t work” with Lululemon yoga pants, has publicly blamed McDonald and the board for the company’s lagging share price.
Known for its high-priced leggings and athleisure wear, Lululemon has ceded market share to newer brands such as Alo Yoga and to lower-cost private-label lookalikes, with executives voicing disappointment with product execution.
Clinical skincare brand Drmtlgy will make its brick-and-mortar debut at Ulta Beauty on December 26, rolling out to nearly all of the retailer’s more than 1,400 U.S. stores and online.
Drmtlgy makes retail debut at Ulta Beauty. – Drmtlgy
The exclusive launch marks a major expansion for the fast-growing brand, which is known for its evidence-based, dermatologist-trusted formulations. Through Ulta Beauty’s national footprint, Drmtlgy aims to broaden access to its technology-driven skincare and reach new consumers seeking clinically proven results.
“Joining Ulta Beauty marks an incredible milestone in Drmtlgy’s journey. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between dermatological efficacy and everyday accessibility, and Ulta’s national presence allows us to do just that,” said Scott Futterman, co-founder & CEO of Drmtlgy.
“We’re excited to introduce our most-loved products to new customers across the country who are seeking real, clinically proven results.”
Founded by dermatology veterans, Drmtlgy develops and manufactures its products at an FDA-registered facility in Los Angeles, drawing on more than two decades of formulation and production experience. The brand has built a strong following among dermatologists, skincare professionals and consumers for delivering clinical-level performance without luxury pricing.
The Ulta Beauty launch will feature a curated assortment of 13 of Drmtlgy’s best-selling products, including the Luminous Eye Corrector, Needle-less Serum, Peptide Night Cream, and the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask.. Additional products, including the Advanced Neck Cream and SmrtSun Broad Spectrum SPF 45, will also join the lineup later in February.
“At Ulta Beauty, we continue to deepen our leadership in science-backed skincare by introducing brands that deliver meaningful, long-term skin benefits,” said Lisa Tamburello, vice president of merchandising at Ulta Beauty.
“Drmtlgy fills a key need in our assortment for medical-grade skincare that supports skin longevity, combining dermatologist-developed formulas with accessible price points. This launch reflects our commitment to meeting guests where they are in their skin journey – with trusted solutions designed to protect, strengthen, and maintain skin health over time.”
Gordon Brothers has made a majority investment in the intellectual property of the Rachel Zoe brand and its related consumer business, adding the fashion and lifestyle label to its growing portfolio of licensed brands.
Gordon Brothers takes majority stake in Rachel Zoe brand. – Mark Hanson
Under the terms of the deal, Gordon Brothers will lead the next phase of growth for the Rachel Zoe business by strategically developing the licensing business to expand product categories, experiences and distribution points.
“Rachel is an influential entrepreneur and global fashion authority who has grown her brand and broadened her cultural footprint across fashion, media and consumer lifestyle spaces,” said Tobias Nanda, head of brands at Gordon Brothers.
“We are excited to add Rachel Zoe to our portfolio of brands and partner with Rachel to build upon the legacy she has created.”
The Rachel Zoe Collection launched in 2011 with its first ready-to-wear line, and has since grown into a lifestyle brand including apparel, home, fragrance, eyewear, and children’s and baby products.
Rachel Zoe will remain closely involved with the brand as a significant shareholder, founder and chief creative officer, and a member of the board of directors.
“I am beyond thrilled to announce this new strategic partnership,” said Zoe.
“Gordon Brothers was the right fit to take the Rachel Zoe brand to the next level given the firm’s deep experience in growing global brands through licensing partnerships, innovative product development, creative marketing and operational expertise.”