Fashion Business Club

It’s been whispered around Twitter and exclusively announced by Leon Bailey-Green’s Online Fashion Agency, and we can officially confirm, FBC has a new website!

FBC’s members and brand importance have grown remarkably since first launching in 2006. This growth needed to be reflected through the FBC website, a task Urban Aesthetics alongside FBC co-founders and co-chairs Alison Whelan and Courtney Blackman, have succeeded in doing.

The first FBC website launched in 2006, three months after the club was founded. FBC’s dynamic online presence resulted in frequent advertising requests, whilst the popularity of FBCtv became a pressing topic, creating a need for FBC’s archive of unique media to be showcased on an adequate platform.  FBC co-founder and co-chair Alison Whelan says, “In the intervening years Courtney has become a technical wizard and I’ve focused my efforts on film and the identity of FBC – this website is the culmination of all our talents – and I hope the FBC team and members love it as much as we do.”

Co-founder & co-chair Courtney Blackman adds, “I love our new site. Alison and the boys at Urban Aesthetics have done an incredible job capturing the very essence of FBC. It truly is a piece of digital hotness.”

The updated site is visually rich featuring images from FBC events documenting the club’s voyage, an integrated archive of FBCtv films and the ability to commercialise the site with room for advertising banners, and pop-ups amongst many other surprises.

Jake Hardy, managing director of Urban Aesthetics and FBC’s “web guy” says, “I’m delighted with the results of the Fashion Business Club website. The site embodies the ethos of the FBC founders and its members – creativity, style and forward thinking.”

Let us know what you think!

Darren Spurling, Managing Director, Terry de Havilland

FBC talks to member, Darren Spurling, MD of rock ‘n’ roll cobbler, Terry de Havilland (TDH) and the company’s recent win of the Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award.

How long have you been at Terry de Havilland and what did you do before?

I started speaking to Terry and Liz de Havilland at the end of 2008. I was amazed and impressed by the amount of goodwill towards the brand name and the opportunity there was with the brand. So after a couple of months I invested in the brand and along with Simon Bentley we set up a new company with Terry and Liz to develop the label. Prior to this I have been consulting on a number of new start ups in the UK and was the managing director of the O Neill brand.

What is a typical day like for the managing director of a renowned show brand?

It really does vary from day to day. Terry and Liz are responsible for everything creative and whilst I may have a view on product they are clear on what the brand stands for and drive this forward. I would not even attempt to provide too much advice! Our initial focus was to make the TDH brand known to a wider audience by developing press coverage and getting in place the ready to wear line. The creative stage of any new line is the most important but we also have to be able to produce and deliver perfect product on time and this is very much what I am focusing on right now. I also speak a lot to our worldwide licensee LXY Brands on the ready to wear line and international development. Today is a ‘trademark’ day as we continue our registration of the brand into new markets.

Congratulations on the recent Lifetime Achievement Award from Drapers. What does this mean for the label? Have sales increased? Have you had more wholesale enquiries?

The award is a personal award for Terry and the 50 years he has spent creating fantastic shoes. It obviously raises his profile and this is good for TDH. We have had coverage in the States and China as a result so it is very welcome. In terms of the impact on sales, we have had an increase in couture enquiries as a result and I expect buyers will be much more responsive to the new summer 2011 collection.

You’ve recently launched your ready-to-wear collection. Tell us a bit about it.

Terry has a number of classic shoes that are almost timeless and the new collection has a focus on taking these classics forward. Everyone should have a Terry wedge in their wardrobe! As well as the wedge line, there are surprises in the line whilst ensuring each shoe has the Terry handwriting. I do not want to say too much more until it is launched at the end of this month.

What advice would you offer any of our members starting out in business?

With any new fashion business the early decisions on the collection and distribution are so important. Where you plant those early seeds will have an impact on the brand in the future so know your market and avoid too many compromises early on. Do what your good at and known for and try not to chase too many new directions early on. It’s much better to be exceptional at a few things than average in many. Average does not pay today.

How does being part of FBC have a positive affect on your business?

The opportunity to meet people both in the business for a long time and those starting out is great and all advice is worth listening too. The interviews every other month with leading business people are great to see how they have achieved success. It helps us to avoid any mistakes they made early on.

And finally where can our FBC members find your shoes?

Our couture made-to-order shoes can be ordered by giving Liz de Havilland a call at our studio on 020 7254 4445 or check our the website www.terrydehavilland.com. Our ready to wear line is in the shops from the end of this year and will be on line in the next few weeks.

Seven FBC members made the final list of Leon Bailey-Green’s Online Fashion 100 – a guide devised to take people behind the scenes of online fashion world. “…buyers, bloggers, directors, entrepreneurs, editors, investors, politicians and even celebrities” form the list of people that influence the business of the online fashion sphere.

Leon was joined by a panel of experts: Brent Hoberman, Hilary Alexander, Kate Russell and Denize Hewitt, and the following are the FBC members on the list, in alphabetical order, not ranking: Courtney Blackman, Frances Card, Sarah Curran, Malika Dalamal, Disneyrollergirl, Michaela Jedinak, Lauretta Roberts. Congratulations!

See the full list here: Online Fashion 100 2010/11 Edition

Lauretta Roberts at WGSN

FBC member and digital development director of WGSN, Lauretta Roberts has launched the Global Fashion Awards and FBC finds out more:

Tell us about the Global Fashion Awards.

They’re the first awards to recognise innovation in fashion across all disciplines and across all geographies. We have categories ranging from influential designers through to best visual merchandising and marketing campaign. It really is open to all from the high end to the high street from New York to New South Wales!

There are 16 categories in total and our judging list contains some of the biggest names in fashion globally as well as some fantastic up and coming talent. There are names such as Saks, Selfridges, Macy’s, Gap, Myer and Banana Republic from retail, designers such as John Rocha, Nicole Fahri, John Bartlett, Albertus Swanpoel and Tracy Reese, as well as Mawi Keivom and Nicholas King. And of course we have great industry figures such as Fern Mallis who established New York Fashion Week and the wonderful fellow FBC member Harold Tillman CBE from the British Fashion Council. That’s just scratching the surface; there are plenty more.

It’s just great to unite the industry in this way and the response has been so warm – we’re delighted!

FBC members Lauretta Roberts & Harold Tillman CBE

What is your involvement in the Awards?

Well, it was kind of my idea; I floated it past our very dynamic CEO Susanna Kempe one day and the next thing I get an email instructing me to get on with it. It’s a collaboration here at Emap between WGSN and Emap Networks, which runs our conferences and events such as the World Retail Awards so they are perfectly placed to realise this event for us. My role is to control content – so I conceived the categories and criteria and helped secure judges (though I have to give due credit to our amazing event producer Martin Fearnley who just hit the phones and secured us some fantastic names – he’s been a godsend!).

I’ll oversee the judging process and will also encourage those companies and we really feel require recognition to take part. Am also working on – again with Martin – striking up some media partnerships globally.

Why did you set it up?

Because there seemed a big hole there to me and I felt that WGSN being the world’s leading trend and style forecaster was in the best position to fill it. I can’t think of another organisation with the global reach and influence across fashion design, buying and retail who could credibly do this. But I am somewhat biased! There are some fantastic awards that celebrate success regionally or in specific areas such as design but none that do it on a global scale in this increasingly global business.

Why are Awards such as this important to the industry?

Because they recognise innovation and those who propel the industry forward and they shine a spotlight on true talent. Clearly people agree as within 24 hours of our site going live we have more than 70 entries. It goes to show that the appetite is there for an event like this. I do think it’s the uniting of the industry from a global and sector perspective that has been so appealing. And who wouldn’t want to get in front of those judges?!

How can FBC members get involved?

Enter! These awards are open to businesses large and small so check out the categories and have a go. Also there are nomination only categories such as the most influential designers and the global style icon and they can put forward their favourites free of charge. For the larger businesses, we have many attractive sponsorship opportunities.

If anyone has any ideas of how they would like to be involved they can drop me a line, I’m interested to hear. We really want as many people as possible to join in the celebration!

www.globalfashionawards.com

Thinking about doing a show in New York? FBC member and fashion account director for the Sanderson and St. Martins Lane (Morgans Hotel Group), Rachael Sardelich would like to help.

At Hudson is a Morgan’s Original and is a new multi-level event space near Lincoln Center and Central Park in New York City.

The 6,000 square feet of space can hold up to 700 people, has concert-grade sound and all sorts of other options.

Contact Rachael for more details: rachael.sardelich@morganshotelgroup.com

Gabriella at the Alexandra Shulman/Dolly Jones FBC meeting, courtesy of Vogue.com

As vice president of international sales and business development for power brand, Diane von Furstenberg, FBC member Gabriella Piccinni was invited to talk about what it is like working for a global fashion company and what her strategy is for expansion. At a seminar organised by Harrods and the BFC Colleges Council, Gabriella shared her years of acquired knowledge to heads of colleges, tutors, and students at the Harrods auditorium.

Gabriella says, “it was important to get involved as students and teachers need to know the business side of the fashion industry. Logistics, distribution and a sales team are all key factors to any designer’s expansion, as is knowing the retailers and understanding the markets where they sit,” and Gabriella’s advice to future designers: “stay humble, know your retailers and don’t let your ego take over when your brand first becomes successful. Keep it real and you will make it happen.”

FBC member Lenka Isabella O’Neill has just launched a new website Tamsin.cz offering London based clothing brands to the Czech Republic . They will soon be expanding into other East European countries such as Poland

Tamsin carries Traffic People, Aftershock, Almost Famous and Yumi.

For more information contact FBC member, Lenka Isabella O’Neill at lenkanemcova@yahoo.co.uk.

I normally round up FBCers at London Fashion Week, but decided to do Paris this time to mix it up. So, who was there and doing what?

Daniela & Annette Felder

Twin FBC members/designers Daniela and Annette Felder of FELDER FELDER went to Paris as part of the BFC’s London Show Rooms with an opening brunch hosted by American Vogue & Style.com’s Sarah Mower. Excellent.

Bryce Aime AW2010

FBCers Martyn Roberts and John Walford of Fashion Scout assembled the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom and FBC member Bryce Aime was amongst the ten designers on exhibit.

Giovanna Velasquez and me both wearing Magenta 8

FBCer and creative director of Magenta 8, Giovanna Velasquez exhibited for her first time at Atmosphère’s, and FBC member and fashion and fine art photographer, Vanessa Warren went along to help set up and photograph her stand – très  FBC.

The On|Off showroom at Galerie Cadain

FBC member Lee Lapthorne showed his own collection at the Haynes Showroom and had his On|Off showroom filled with twelve British designers; and Lee and his team threw their heavily attended Custard Party. Highlight: Lee rocking out big time to the live music.

Jaeger London (owned by FBC member Harold Tillman) showed at Hotel Castille and FBCers Ashish Gupta of Ashish and Jonathan Saunders also had showrooms as part of the Brits in Paris initiative.

Gabriella Piccinni, FBC member and vice president of international business for Diane von Furstenberg was in Paris…conducting international business on behalf of DvF.

Aganovich AW2010

…and last but not least FBC members Brooke Taylor and Nana Aganovich of Aganovich exhibited in Paris per usual, and a treat for us – they’ll be back in London for the next FBC meeting with our guest, Harrods‘ fashion and beauty director, Marigay McKee, who will be interviewed by FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones.

25 March 2010

3:00pm

Swarovski Crystallized

Details: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

Board member Daisy de Villeneuve’s books and notebooks are now on sale at the Ultralounge in Selfridges! Published by Pocko, Daisy’s hugely popular He Said, She Said features her cool and stylish felt-tip drawings coupled with typewritten, humourous observations about friendship and love.

Daisy studied fashion and fine art in New York and Paris, and received a B.F.A from Parsons School of Design. Referred to as London’s ‘Queen of Cool,’ Daisy’s art has featured in numerous fashion magazines, galleries, unique exhibitions, Topshop shoeboxes, clothing, housewares, Oyster cardholders in conjunction with the British Fashion Council, and most recently she has appeared in advertising campaigns for Gap Europe and for Uniqlo – a project that was secured by fellow FBC members Neely Reyes and Ian Warren of Sapphires Model Management.

Daisy in ads for Gap Europe and Uniqlo

Daisy will be at the next FBC meeting and is happy to sign FBC members’ copies of her books.

25 March, 3:00 – 4:30pm

Swarovski Crystallized Concept Store & Café

Harrods‘ fashion and beauty director Marigay McKee will be interviewed by FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones.

Membership enquiries: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

FBC member and regular contributor to the FBC Blog, Anne Look is stepping up her own blog, Stylist and the City by collaborating with Glam Media.

What is Glam Media? From the horse’s mouth, it is the pioneer and global leader of vertical media-a new model that connects premium brand advertisers with millions of consumers online through large, growing, vertical content networks.

Says Anne, “Stylist and the City hasn’t lost its way! In fact, the writing is just as unchartered, the posts just as random, my life just as unpredictable and the fashions just as fabulous, fast, fruitful and on the pulse.”

Stylist and the City will get a makeover and changes to the look and layout will be effective immediately…as soon as Anne works out how to apply them.

If you’re a blogger and want to know more about vertical media, hunt down Anne at the next FBC meeting on the 28^th of January at the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED^TM Concept Store and Café.

Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman