Ethical investments

The management team of ethical fashion brand Howies has bought the business back from VF Corporation, the owner of the North Face, Wrangler and Eastpak brands, for an undisclosed sum. Howies was sold to US-based Timberland in 2006, which was acquired by VF last year in a deal worth $2 billion. “Bringing small again means all the decision making is now back in-house” a Howies spokesman told Direct Commerce. “We hope this will allow us to get working more quickly on ideas and products that we feel are best for the brand.” Among the first on Howies refocused to-do list is expanding into new markets. It announced back in September that it plans to launch local-language websites for its French and German customers.

Another eco-friendly brand has a new home. Spark Etail, a contact centre and fulfilment firm that also owns Ethical Superstore, Natural Collection and Spirit of Nature, acquired ethical fashion label Frank & Faith in January. Frank & Faith was launched in 2006 by Anya Pearson and Mark Swire (formerly a financial director at ethical fashion retailer Adili). Spark Etail plans to continue supporting Frank & Faith’s “made in Britain” ethos through introducing new designers and adding more stock. It will also redevelop the brand’s website.