Fashion Business Club

Last night BBC2 launched a new television series dedicated to British fashion, its history, and long-reaching global influence. The programme, British Style Genius, documents everything from Mod to Teddy Boy to Sloane to Punk to Royal, and the industry’s main players: Kate Moss, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Philip Green, and Twiggy are all there to weigh in.

The evening treated us to cocktails, canapés, live music and a 20-minute taster of the five-part series, with an introductory talk by BBC2 Controller, Roly Keating.

FBC members were there in force: Martyn Roberts and John Wolford, Directors of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout; fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy; and our industry speaker for our September 25th meeting, Editor of Drapers, Lauretta Roberts.

Rebekah Roy, Drapers Editor, Lauretta Roberts in crystal bulldog mask, and Courtney Blackman

Other attendees included fashion designer, Jacob Kimmie, Susie Bubble of Style Bubble and Dazed & Confused, Denrele from Dressed and Pressed, vintage clothier, Mark Butterfield, and fashion writer, Phoebe Frangoul.

Clockwise from top left: Roly Keating, Jacob Kimmie, Nicola Davis, Director of Furore PR, James Wright, Managing Director of Jacob Kimmie, Susie Bubble, Phoebe Frangoul, and Rosie.

The series will air in October.

Courtney Blackman Vice Chairman & Co-Founder

A successful Fashion Week has concluded and here’s a little rundown what FBCers were up to. Regine Mowill showed one of the first collections of the week, on Sunday the 14th at the 20th Century Theatre. The show was called Propaganda and was filled to the brim with Regine fans.

 

Photographer, Fabrice Lachant was spotted after the Kaviar Gauche show, taking some stills of a model in one of the label’s gowns. The end result is a beautiful compilation of On|Off for fashion156.

Fabrice Lachant at the Royal Academy

Fashion Editor of Dia Dawan, Karolina Kivimaki was seen at just about every show, taking notes, and then immediately on her laptop afterward, filing her reports. A very hard-working Editor. We like that at FBC. Sarah Hardy is normally Karolina’s LFW partner, but was only seen once. She’s been extremely busy launching a new magazine, FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE, for which she serves as both the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief.

 

Karolina Kivimaki at the Royal Academy

I sat beside Karolina at one show and we were both wearing patent leather boots, so naturally had to photograph our feet.

 

Patent Leather Boots

 

Director of US Management, Francesca Marotta was also spotted everywhere, debuting a lovely long mane of blonde hair.

Francesca Marotta at at the Royal Academy

Deborah Henning, and her eponymous colletion of fresh summer prints exhibited at On|Off. On|Off was founded by another one of our members, Lee Lapthorne and celebrated 10 years of existence over LFW with a huge bash on the 15th. FBC member, Alison Lowe, the PR for On|Off and Afshin Feiz, and Managing Director of Felicities proclaimed she was operating on little sleep, but managed to look chic and professional every single day.

 

Deborah Henning at the On|Off exhibition

Managing Director of Harriet Maria Creative Consultancy, Hatty Stevens was seen entering the BFC exhibition with graphic designer, Jeannine Saba, and throughout the week at loads of shows.

 

Hatty Stevens and Jeannine Saba

Illustrator, Daisy de Villeneuve was on the front row at Afshin Feiz

I first met Rita Nazareno 3 months ago – It took me about 10 minutes to see how talented she was and snapped her up immediately, asking her to join FBC . Now a member, and colleague, she continues to surprise me with her talent and that can only be a good thing. As you all know we‘ve been wanting to film snippets of our meetings for a little while – and at the Fashion and Textile Museum session we made it happen, thanks to Rita and to all of you. Watch our first try and let us know what you think.

FBC at FTM Film

Rita is a Special Projects Manager for S.C.Vizcarra , a company her grandmother established in 1925. Based in Manila, S.C.Vizcarra produces exquisite, hand-woven handbags and home accessories already sought after in Japan and Korea. Rita ultimately aims to transform S.C.Vizcarra into a global luxury brand by introducing the company to the European luxury market.

Rita is also an Emmy Award-winning producer, having worked as Senior Producer at Fox 11 (LA) and as Creative Services Director at NBC/KPRC (Houston). She continues to combine her passion for film, video and fashion – as her short film for FBC testifies.

Alison Whelan Chairman & Co-Founder

FBC member, Kate Tailyour will debut her collection at Who’s Next? in Paris from the 4th – 7th of September. Tailyour’s collections continue to grow and excite, maintaining her status as ‘one to watch’ from the best of Britain’s new designers.

An ethically conscious label, the collection is produced in England and incorporates fairtrade cottons, silks from India and Nepal and organic silk organza.

Soft dusty hues are mixed with saturated reds to create a striking and versatile collection. Pretty bubble skirts in a vintage silk/satin mink-pink print sit alongside minimal boxy draped tops in jersey greys and knitted reds, with gros-grain ties and popper detailing. Stand collar shirts and waistcoats come in striped and gauzy fairtrade cottons, while sheer organza shirts are layered with Tailyour’s signature jersey dresses.

Bloomer style crop jersey trousers, are teamed with draped knit waistcoats creating bold and innovative silhouettes.

See Kate Tailyour at stand M102 (opposite the Champagne bar) at Who’s Next?, Porte de Versailles, Paris.

To book an appointment contact Kate on: +44 (0) 7976364244 or contact@katetailyour.co.uk.

Sarah Hardy Editor

You’ll be seeing a lot more of our FBC member, Daisy de Villeneuve, especially if you shop at Gap. The celebrated illustrator is in the new Icon campaign for Gap Europe. How did she get the gig? Daisy was approached in April by a casting agent in NYC who told her Gap Europe were interested in shooting her for their fall 2008 campaign.

The black and white series was photographed by Mikael Jansson and styled by French stylist, Marie Amelie-Sauve at Spring Studios in London last May. Daisy is featured alongside other stylish icons, Giles Deacon, Camille Bidault Waddington and Ines de la Fressange.

Some more great news: Daisy will also be in the Holiday 2008 campaign for Christmas which was shot in colour. “I’ve always been a fan of Gap, so it was a real honour to be asked.” – Daisy de Villeneuve

Congratulations, Daisy!

Courtney Blackman Vice Chairman & Co-Founder