The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, today announced two strategic leadership moves to accelerate innovation and growth.

Robert Johnston has been promoted to chief operating officer from his previous role as executive vice president, operations, and Doug Kelliher has been appointed executive vice president, product. Kelliher will join the company’s global leadership team, while Johnston continues in his leadership capacity. Both executives report directly to CEO Gary Smith.

The LYCRA Company has announced leadership changes to drive growth and innovation.
Robert Johnston, a 35-year veteran, is promoted to COO, expanding his role to include product development alongside operations and IT.
Doug Kelliher, with 30+ years in product leadership, joins as EVP, product.
Both report to CEO Gary Smith, aiming to accelerate innovation and deliver value-driven solutions.

Robert Johnston, Chief Operating Officer

Johnston, a 35-year veteran of The LYCRA Company and its predecessor organizations, will expand his leadership to include product development, in addition to his current oversight of global manufacturing operations and IT. In his new role, Johnston will manage R&D talent, lab resources, and pilot production to drive innovation across the product portfolio, supporting strategic growth priorities identified by Kelliher’s team.

“I’m honored to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer and help shape the future of our innovation pipeline,” said Johnston. “Our teams around the world are deeply committed to excellence, and I look forward to working across functions to strengthen our operations and advance product development.”

Doug Kelliher, EVP, Product

Kelliher will lead the product management team in developing and executing strategy across fibers, fabrics, and garments. His team works to deliver differentiated solutions that add value and meet the needs of today’s consumer. With more than 30 years of product leadership experience at Timberland, Velcro Companies, Polartec and Milliken & Company, Kelliher brings deep expertise to his role.

“I’m thrilled to join The LYCRA Company and contribute to its legacy of innovation,” said Kelliher. “With the strength of our global team and a clear focus on differentiated products that fulfill market demands, I’m confident we can unlock new growth opportunities and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

“As the apparel industry continues to evolve, our focus remains on delivering high-performance solutions that meet consumer needs and help brands and retailers differentiate and thrive,” said Gary Smith, CEO of The LYCRA Company. “Doug and Robert bring exceptional leadership, vision, and industry expertise to their roles, strengthening our ability to co-create with customers, accelerate innovation, and bring transformative technologies to market faster and more efficiently.”

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)

DHL Group’s Post & Parcel Germany division has resumed postal goods shipping from Germany to the US for business customers, effective September 25. The service was suspended for four weeks due to new US customs regulations under the Executive Order ‘Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for all Countries’.

To comply, DHL has introduced its Postal Delivered Duty Paid (PDDP) service for the US, previously available only in Norway, the UK, and Switzerland. The service requires senders to cover customs duties in advance, provide full customs data, and use correct tariff codes. Goods up to $800 are now subject to customs duties, with only private gifts up to $100 exempt, DHL said in a press release.

DHL Group’s Post & Parcel Germany division will resume postal goods shipping from Germany to the US from September 25, after a four-week suspension due to new US customs rules.
A new Postal Delivered Duty Paid (PDDP) service is mandatory, requiring businesses to prepay import duties and provide full customs data.
Goods up to $800 now incur duties, with only private gifts up to $100 exempt.

The PDDP service costs €2 per shipment, with additional fees and duties passed to customers without markup. DHL stressed that parcel prices to the US remain stable, with extra costs arising solely from external regulatory changes.

Private shipments valued up to $100 declared as gifts remain unaffected, though monitoring will intensify to prevent misuse. DHL Express and other DHL divisions are not impacted, added the release.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

After days of leaden skies and heavy rain, the sun finally returned on Wednesday, September 25, casting a warm glow over Milan Fashion Week. The change in weather provided a fitting backdrop for Hogan’s “Summer in the City” collection, revealed inside the brand’s showroom, which was transformed into a vibrant oasis of brightly colored plants and flowers.

Among the highlights for the upcoming summer season, characterized by an urban-chic spirit, is the return of the Hogan Athletic, a slim, contemporary reinterpretation of sprinter sneakers that strikes a balance between sporty flair and retro elegance.

There are also cup-sole styles, with lines reminiscent of skate shoes, in nappa leather with pop-red accents, and the Hogan Cool, featuring a high, enveloping sole that pairs a refined upper with a chunky build. Among the bags are the Script Address logo, a versatile shopping bag that transitions seamlessly from the office to aperitifs, and flap bags featuring an “H” clasp.

The Milan showcase was also an opportunity to speak with Hogan’s president, Andrea Della Valle, not only about the new collection but also about his vision for the future of the group, which he runs with his brother Diego and which today is a key player in Italian luxury with the Tod’s, Hogan, Fay, and Roger Vivier brands.

“From my point of view, when you run a company with thousands of employees, you must safeguard it with a long-term vision, to protect them and what has been built with such dedication over the decades. In that respect, Diego and I can also count on the younger generations, who have begun working for the group. My eldest daughter, Allegra, lives in Shanghai and works on the Chinese market, which is strategic for Hogan, while my son Leonardo is at the helm of Schiaparelli (a French haute couture maison acquired by the Della Valle family through a private holding company). Filippo, Diego’s son, is in Tokyo for Tod’s. We practically have a young person on every brand,” explains the vice-chairman of the Tod’s Group. “For us, this is an investment in tomorrow.”

2026 will mark a significant milestone for Hogan—its 40th anniversary—which will also be celebrated with a plan of targeted openings. New flagships are expected in Riyadh and Dubai, while in the United States, a return after more than thirty years is underway. “We were visionaries then, when—going firmly against the trend—we launched the first urban sneaker; today we are continuing a journey that began three decades ago. We will consolidate further, but with caution,” says Andrea Della Valle, also flagging possible collaborations—though only with those who have “a strong history”—and new brand-extension projects.

“The year’s results will close with slight growth, driven mainly by Europe, China, and the Far East, markets that remain central for Hogan,” concludes the Hogan president.

With a vision that blends tradition and innovation, the Tod’s Group, under the leadership of the Della Valle family, thus confirms its growth trajectory—with solidity, new generations, and an increasingly international Made in Italy at the center of its outlook.