just-style authors and correspondents

Biography

Leonie Barrie joined just-style as managing editor 17 years ago, and during that time has been instrumental in steering the site's editorial content and direction. Under her leadership, just-style has raised its profile internationally, and today boasts a team of contributors around the world who provide a unique blend of up-to-the-minute news, research and analysis on the apparel and footwear industry and its supply chain.

An experienced business journalist with a background in fashion and textiles, Leonie has written extensively about global sourcing and production, technology, emerging markets, as well as retail, brand and marketing strategies. She has also interviewed industry leaders across the globe. As managing editor Leonie has travelled around the world to gain first-hand experience of the industry in various countries, and continues to deliver keynote speeches, chair roundtable and panel sessions at conferences, and write about the international apparel industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces. 

Articles by Leonie Barrie

Cambodia labour issues continue to concern brands 24 January 2020

Ongoing concerns over the deteriorating labour and human rights situation in Cambodia have again prompted a number of brands and retailers – including Adidas, Levi Strauss, Ralph Lauren and Under Armour – to call on the government to set out steps to bring the country in line with international standards. 

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US-China trade deal offers little respite for apparel firms 22 January 2020

The ‘Phase One’ trade agreement signed between the US and China is a step in the right direction, but offers little relief to apparel firms in the ongoing trade conflict.

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Indonesia labour law reform plans prompt protests 22 January 2020

Plans by the Indonesian government to overhaul the country’s nearly two-decades old labour law have led to a spate of nationwide worker protests and criticism from unions.

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Lindex launches water project for Myanmar garment workers 21 January 2020

Swedish fashion retailer Lindex has launched a joint project in Myanmar to increase access to clean drinking water and sanitation in communities where textile workers live.

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Imogene+Willie to use Vidalia Mills historic selvedge denim 21 January 2020

Vidalia Mills, the new North American textile maker taking shape in Louisiana, is working with the Imogene+Willie brand as the first customer of its premium selvedge denim.

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Department store Beales falls into administration 21 January 2020

British department store retailer Beales has become the latest to fall into administration, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk if a buyer or new investment can’t be found.

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Tailored Brands to sell Joseph Abboud for $115m 20 January 2020

Menswear retailer Tailored Brands Inc is selling the Joseph Abboud trademarks to WHP Global for $115m – but will retain the exclusive rights to sell and rent Joseph Abboud branded apparel and related merchandise in the US and Canada.

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New Infor solutions optimise planning and inventories 17 January 2020

Cloud software provider Infor has launched a number of new solutions to help omni-channel retailers and fashion brands optimise their inventories, improve demand and supply planning, boost factory efficiency and help take their fashion products to market faster.

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Outlook 2020 – What next for apparel sourcing? 16 January 2020

The search for the ideal sourcing destination is set to continue as Western fashion brands and retailers seek to reduce their exposure to China in 2020. At the same time they’re having to navigate a more complicated matrix, which includes factors ranging from cost, speed to market, production capacity and flexibility to compliance risk. Along with these challenges come opportunities to rethink business models and explore new ways of working – especially when it comes to digitalisation and data, executives say.

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US-China ‘Phase One’ deal paves way for apparel tariff cuts 16 January 2020

The United States and China have signed the long-anticipated ‘Phase One’ trade agreement between the two countries, in a move that paves the way for punitive tariffs imposed on most US apparel imports from China to be cut in half.