Must Read: Bruce Nordstrom Has Died, Shein Embarks on PR Rehabilitation Strategy

Bruce Nordstrom

Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday.

Bruce Nordstrom has died
Bruce Nordstrom, part of the third generation of Nordstrom's family leadership, died on Saturday, according to Seattle news outlets. The former retail chair played a key part in expanding the department store chain in the '60s and '70s. "Our dad will be remembered not only for his significant contributions to Nordstrom but also for his unwavering dedication to his family and friends," his sons Pete and Erik Nordstrom said in statement. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Shein embarks on PR rehabilitation strategy
Amid scrutiny from legislators and accusations of forced labor, plagiarizing designs and avoiding paying U.S. tariffs — Shein is on an image rehabilitation PR campaign in hopes of becoming publicly traded. The company wants to be more transparent, Executive Chairman Donald Tang told WWD, and is advocating for a change to U.S. tariff regulations that will force the retailer to pay more on its shipments; it's also striking manufacturing and sourcing deals with Mexico and Turkey to debunk forced labor claims. {WWD/paywalled}

Retail's DEI efforts may have set brands up for failure, according to one founder
Glossy's Lexy Lebsack spoke to a CEO and brand founder (who requested anonymity) about how retailers' DEI efforts have regressed post-2020. Amid increased investment in BIPOC-owned labels, the previously direct-to-consumer brand partnered with new retailers, but reportedly experienced a lack of communication between company management and warehouses, high buyer turnover rates and disorganized payment plans, all of which were costly for the brand. "If the businesses aren't successful because they don't have full support of the full retail ecosystem, and the business fails because it still is getting a fraction of what its counterparts are getting, then that's still not helping in the end," the CEO said. {Glossy/paywalled}

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