FBC member and fashion stylist Anne Look and FBC photographer Dave Wise shoot the cover story for the December Issue of Every Model Magazine!
“The image story is a about being glamorous at night. Thus image pairs are repressed blacks and then colour for later.” Dave Wise
“Anne is good fun to work with she clearly has an eye for what she does! Anne is good fun on set and helped tremendously to keep the energy up. ” Dave Wise
-Rebekah Roy Fashion Stylist & FBC Editor
Check out Rihanna’s “Hard Video” as she’s wearing FBC member and designer Bryce D’Anicé Aime SS 2010 look!
-Rebekah Roy Fashion Stylist & FBC Editor
Fashion Business Club celebrates its fourth birthday in January 2010 and has a brand new sparkling partner for the New Year: the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café on Great Marlborough Street.
In 2009, FBC held two meetings at the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café (DailyCandy and Jonathan Saunders/Dolly Jones) and it felt just like home. The space is perfect for holding the live interviews, the production of FBCtv, and networking.
Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED ™ says, “We are very excited to become part of the FBC partnership, we see the match as being perfect and a great opportunity to facilitate great networking in a beautiful and very fashionable space that is the new Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café.’’
FBC’s six meetings for 2010 will take place in the space and will be filled with bright-minded fashion professionals looking to do business together and share in the experiences of the guest speakers, including Tamara Salman, creative director of Liberty of London in January; and Harrods fashion and beauty director, Marigay McKee in March. The Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café is the perfect backdrop for FBC meetings and creates an informal social environment that allows members to casually engage with one another.
“Swarovski has long been associated with recognising new creative talent and we’re very super happy to be inking the deal with Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™, new venue partner for our FBC meetings.†Alison Whelan, FBC co-founder and co-chairman
“The Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café is the one space that our members have been wildly enthusiastic about. The synergy between what FBC does and the way the lounge is architected couldn’t be more harmonious. It was the natural next step to formalise the relationship and we’re really excited!†Courtney Blackman, FBC co-founder and co-chairman
FBC is a business-focused members club, created on the basis of bringing bright-minded fashion professionals together six times a year at an informal venue to listen to inspiring speakers, learn and do business together. The ethos of the club is generosity and the desire to share knowledge, along with at least two-years’ experience in the industry.
The club was started by Alison Whelan and Courtney Blackman in 2006, and they, along with Vogue.com editor, Dolly Jones and Daisy de Villenuve renowned designer/illustrator, make up the Board.
Members include home-grown and internationals, well-known and aspiring designers, journalists, photographers, stylists, buyers, brand managers, make-up artists, manufacturers, lawyers, graphic designers, copywriters, retailers, IP specialists, creative directors, PRs, brand managers and more.
Photo by Dave Wise for FBC
-Rebekah Roy Fashion Stylist & FBC Editor
Sarah Curran CEO of my-wardrobe.com recently won Gold: Overall Winner and Best Innovation at the 2009 Drapers E-Tail Awards as well as being nominated for Best Emerging Retailer at the 2009 Retail Week Awards.
What is your fashion CV?
After leaving the Times Online, I pursued my dream to start my own business with the opening of my boutique Powder in Crouch End, North London in 1st August 2003. I have always been interested in fashion, but whereas most girls would say that the buying and the clothes side of it is their passion, for me, it’s always been the business and the numbers that has fascinated me. I always wanted to have a boutique that was accessible to everyone and that women wouldn’t feel intimidated by or excluded from. The goal for me with Powder was to create a retailer that offered bridge brand designers and a price point for every one, coupled with brilliant customer service and sublime packaging.
After starting my family (my son Jake was born 30 days after the opening of Powder), we moved to France and it was then that my husband and I discussed expanding the business online. We wanted to create an online brand with its own identity, not restricted geographically by a location, but had the potential to become a global brand in its own right, so we chose the name my-wardrobe.com, over Power Fashion. my-wardrobe.com was soft launched in December 2005 and officially launched in April 2006 and within six months my-wardrobe.com was outperforming Powder in monthly sales.
What is the most challenging aspect of having an online business?
The most challenging aspect would be overcoming the virtual experience that some customers can have when shopping online. This is why telephone numbers and email address are visible on every page. Our customer service team are trained in product knowledge and trends, so they can give the best and most relevant advice to customers. The editorial content is ‘friend to friend’ and we have created a my-wardrobe.com tone that ensures that brand is considered to be aspirational yet attainable by our customers. This was also a key driver for the launch of our my-tv feature on the site.
What is the perfect 360 experience for the customer on my-wardrobe.com?
Good product, good website experience, good customer service and delivery and exceptional packaging.
How do you choose your brands?
Our philosophy is to focus on accessible luxury designers. Value and investment are key when we are doing our buy. We are proud to have long-standing relationships with some of the world’s most desired brands including Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Paul Smith and D&G Dolce&Gabbana. Our buying team travel around the world picking up must-have brands, as well as new and up and coming labels to make our offer interesting to the consumer. It’s important to have a good mix of brands and an offer that fits the needs of our customer.
• What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love working with our team. We have such a passionate and dedicated team and have such fun driving the business forward. Every day is different and I love the challenge of pushing the boundaries of online retailing and finding new ways to browse and shop such as shopping from live video.
• How important is FBC and networking to your business?
FBC is extremely important to me as I get to meet with traditional retailers and designers, which otherwise would be hard to get everyone in one room. I feel we are stronger sharing experiences.
Visit My-Wardrobe.com
-Rebekah Roy Fashion Stylist & FBC Editor
Vauxhall Fashion Scout announces Hermione de Paula as the Merit Award winner for AW10. Hermione de Paula will show at Fashion Scout’s 8th season this February at the Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden.
“The Merit Award has been a highly successful launch pad for the first two winners – William Tempest & David Koma. Since their first shows both have captivated the attention of media, buyers and the public alike.†Martyn Roberts, Director, Vauxhall Fashion Scout & FBC Member
It’s not surprising that Hermione won the Merit Award. I first saw her collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout as I was working on ‘Ones to Watch’ show September 09. Her prints are really beautiful and her clothes are so easy to wear. Her S/S collection is available exclusively at Browns Focus.
-Rebekah Roy Fashion Stylist & FBC Editor
Catwalk images by Photographer Christopher Dadey
If you ever wanted to feel like a rock star it’s worth checking out FBC members Felder Felder.
Rihanna wore Felder Felder when she performed on the finale of the German reality TV competition Popstars You & I!
FBC member Fashion Scout has moved!
Studio 33
33-35 St John’s Square
London, EC1M 4DS
Martyn Roberts
Director
+ 44 (0)7730 426 777
martyn@vauxhallfashionscout.com
Jaime Cooke FBC Member and MD of Muks is having a sample sale!
For more information and to RSVP contact: Muks@muklukstore.com
