Fashion
UK government, unions & businesses agree on Employment Rights Bill
A central breakthrough was consensus on reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period from 24 months to six months, while retaining day-one protection against discrimination and automatically unfair dismissal, UK’s Department for Business and Trade said in a release.
The UK government will advance the Employment Rights Bill after unions and business groups agreed to cut the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months.
The deal preserves April 2026 rollout of day-one sick pay and paternity leave and the Fair Work Agency.
Business groups welcomed the agreement but urged careful handling of issues such as guaranteed hours.
Ministers stressed this approach balances stronger worker protections with clarity for employers. The Government will also lift the compensation cap and ensure that any future changes to the qualifying period can only be made through primary legislation.
Business groups and unions agreed the Bill could now progress after the government committed to table the necessary amendments and ensure a full, transparent consultation process for upcoming secondary legislation. Ministers said this will keep implementation aligned with their timetable and manifesto pledge to ‘Make Work Pay,’ avoiding significant delays that would affect millions of workers and hinder business preparation.
The government emphasised its intention to continue detailed engagement with both sides—particularly to support small businesses—throughout the implementation phase.
Six major business organisations, including the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), CBI and Federation of Small Businesses, issued a joint statement welcoming the negotiated outcome. They said firms would be relieved that the government had adopted a qualifying period that is simple, meaningful, and understood, giving employers confidence to hire while protecting workers.
“This change addresses the key problem that must be sorted in primary legislation. It shows that dialogue works and is a model for how to consider the important questions that need answering in regulations before new rules come into force,” BCC along with the other organisations said in a joint release.
However, they cautioned that concerns remain over powers in the Bill related to guaranteed hours contracts, rules for seasonal and temporary workers, and industrial action thresholds.
“We remain committed to working with government and unions to dealing with this in the necessary secondary legislation to implement the Bill. We must ensure that it supports opportunity for workers while avoiding damage to economic growth. That also means agreeing guidance and support for businesses to understand and effectively implement the many changes, alongside sufficient resources for the Fair Work Agency and tribunal system,” the organisations added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Published
January 15, 2026
Designer Soshi Otsuki won himself a huge ovation at the key gala show of Pitti Uomo on Thursday after presenting a brilliant collection that celebrated classic western tailoring, even as it subverted its codes.
A tour de force of draping, cutting, and silhouette, this fall 2026 collection from his brand Soshiotsuki was definitely a major fashion statement.
In a moment of volume in menswear, Otsuki opened the action with a perfectly judged trio of to-die-for double-breasted suits with peak lapels in crepe and fine wool in various shades of grey- cement, mud, or dove.
He cut his jackets to end well below the hip and his trousers were something else. Made with a half-dozen front pleats, they were elephantine but never outrageous. Otsuki is such a great natural tailor, the exaggeration merely added to the elegance.
Soshi is no slouch when it comes to leather either. From his copper-hued leather rock god suit to his cocoon style leather bomber jacket. And, just when you thought he was playing a little too safe, he sent out some fab jeans, so degraded they almost looked moth-eaten. Tokyo street style meets sartorial Italian.
Playing on couture techniques, the designer also whipped up several bias-cut green corduroy blazers and suits marrying Japanese eccentricity and British aplomb.
The show was the latest Italian/Japanese marriage at this edition of Pitti that began with a Sebiro Sanpo tailoring association Japanese suit march inside the Fortezza da Basso, the giant fortress where the salon is staged. Remarkably, Otsuki has never actually studied suiting formally, but he somehow understands it instinctively.
The soundtrack, culled from composer Joe Hisaishi’s soundtrack to Takeshi Kitano’s 2000 gangster movie Brother, featured a beautifully yearning saxophone solo. It would have felt just right for one of Douglas Sirk’s 1950s melodramas starring Rock Hudson. One almost expected Rock to take the final passage.
Presented inside the beautiful Refetterio Santa Maria della Novella, a looming Gothic refectory at the back of the legendary Renaissance Basilica, this was a bravura display.
Altogether, a bases loaded, home run, smash hit collection. One could say it felt like a star is born moment in menswear, except that Soshi Otsuki was already acclaimed. He is the latest winner of the LVMH Prize.
Talk about backing up winning an award with a great fashion statement.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Published
January 15, 2026
Luxury skincare brand Genaura has promoted Nicola Young to managing director, moving up from chief marketing officer following the brand’s product launch to market in September.
Young’s promotion is underscored by “an impressive career”, which has included senior positions at Carlton Screen Advertising, marketing director at Jazz FM and Magic 105.4FM, and group director of Marketing at radio conglomerate Global Player.
Most notably, her beauty industry involvement included director of Media UK at Estée Lauder Co.
Young said the launch of Genaura “has the potential to revolutionise the beauty and wellness sector… my experience in this field has helped drive the marketing vision so far, and I look forward to progressing even further”.
She added: “Looking to… the growth of Genaura, I am excited to scale and innovate whilst remaining authentic to the scientific background of the product, planning global recognition of this revolutionary ingredient exclusive to Genaura.”
Available in the UK currently, the business has “aspirations for 2026 and beyond… extending skincare products within the range.”
Genaura claims to be a “world first in skincare”, with its Genaura Levagen + Smart Face serum “boasting a powerhouse formula alongside patented technology… creating an ‘age-proofing’ approach to the skin and supporting the skin’s natural barrier function”.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
One of India’s leading integrated home textile manufacturers, is strengthening its presence in Europe as it showcases its latest collections at Heimtextil 2026, the world’s largest trade fair for home and contract textiles, being held in Messe’ Frankfurt from January 13–16, 2026. The participation underlines Trident’s focus on expanding its European footprint amid improving trade prospects driven by proposed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs between India, the UK and the European Union)
Trident is strengthening its European presence by showcasing its TG ‘Visible Invisible’ collection at Heimtextil 2026, highlighting sustainability, AI and design-led innovation.
Backed by proposed India-UK-EU FTAs and new Directors in Germany and France, the company is deepening ties with European retailers and gaining strong buyer interest.
At Heimtextil, Trident is presenting its TG collection, built around the theme “Visible Invisible”, which brings together contemporary design, sustainability and innovation. The showcase highlights how everyday home textiles are shaped by thoughtful design choices, responsible sourcing and advanced manufacturing, aligned with the evolving expectations of European consumers. This year at Heimtextil – sustainability and AI in Home Textile would be in focus.
Commenting on the company’s European strategy, Abhishek Gupta CEO Strategy & Marketing Trident Group, said, “Europe is a strategic market for our home textiles business. With favourable trade developments on the horizon, we are investing in local leadership and showcasing collections that reflect European preferences for sustainability, quality and design. Our participation at Heimtextil reinforces our commitment to long-term growth in the region.” He furthered “Europe continues to be a key market for Trident, supported by mature retail ecosystems, growing demand for sustainable products and increasing diversification of sourcing. The global home textiles market is estimated at USD 136–140 billion, with steady growth expected over the coming years. Against this backdrop, Trident is positioning itself to deepen partnerships with European retailers and scale its business responsibly”.
To support this expansion, Trident has strengthened its local presence with the appointing of dedicated Directors for Germany and France, enabling closer engagement with customers, faster response times and stronger on-ground relationships across key markets.
Trident’s Heimtextil showcase draws inspiration from Indian aesthetics and modern global trends, translating emotions such as comfort, joy and strength into bath and bed linen collections. The TG range features responsibly sourced cotton, performance-led finishes and contemporary colour palettes, and has received encouraging interest from buyers across Germany, France, the UK and other European markets during the fair
With favourable trade tailwinds, a strong design-led offering at Heimtextil, and enhanced European leadership, Trident is well placed to accelerate its growth journey in the European home textiles market.
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)
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