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

Thursday night saw FBC members turn out for the launch of Daisy Lowe for Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™jewellery collaboration, held in the newly opened store in central London. The Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ lounge in Great Marlborugh Street is also the new home of the FBC and where the first meeting of the year (and 4th birthday) will kick off on January 28.  FBC’ers at the event included  FBC Co-Founder & Co-Chairman Courtney Blackman,  Marketing Operations Manager of Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Stine Brogaard and Frances Card, Managing Director of Frances Card Consultancy. The collection focuses on Daisy’s love of the earth, fire, water, wind and spirit, featuring a specially created five pointed star to represent these elements. I caught up with Daisy and got her personal thoughts on the collection.

“This is something that’s very special to me, to be here tonight and to have had the chance to create a range. I hope that you, and others like it. It’s nice for people to see me as a creative and not only as a model. I’m really proud of this collaboration”.

*With Daisy’s love of nature and the preservation of the environment, Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ will be donating 20% of the proceeds from the sale of EVERY piece of the collection to Climate Concern, a UK based charity that educates and empowers individuals about climate change.

Happy Birthday FBC!

An interview with Courtney Blackman and Alison Whelan, co-founders and chairmen.

What inspired you to start FBC?
CB - Alison was inspired to start FBC as the visionary and wrangled me in to make it happen. I thought it was a brilliant idea and LOVE making things happen!

AW - The inspiration behind FBC has always been about bringing people together. In essence it all began with Courtney and I coming together. Courtney invited me onto ASW and whilst checking out the site I noticed people working in the petroleum industry making plans to meet up. I thought it would be a great idea to start something similar for the fashion industry. Luckily, Courtney thought so too (otherwise not much would have happened).

How has it grown in the past 4 years?
CB - Four years ago there were 25 of us crammed in a little room on South Molton Street. Now there are over 120 of us schmoozing around the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café, listening to the biggest names in the fashion industry being interviewed by our board members: Dolly Jones and Daisy de Villeneuve. In addition to the board, we have an amazing team of nine strong that make FBC happen, and we have our our television production company: FBCtv

AW - Membership has grown and I’m really happy about that BUT what really thrills me is seeing members renew - I know we are doing something right when people keep coming back. Professional interest has grown too - Courtney has worked had to secure the fashion establishment logo’s you see on our invites and it really started to turn around when Alexandra Shulman agreed to be interviewed.

What does FBC do for its members?
CB - FBC was designed to bring established fashion business people together so they can learn from each other, work with one another, and be inspired by the speakers. We basically wanted to bring the industry closer together.
AW - Everything we build, we do for our members benefit - the meetings, the committee, the board, the blog, the venue, the speakers, the database and now FBCtv.

What changes can we expect over the next year?
AW - Well I’m depending on countless dress changes courtesy of Ms. Blackman! We are working on a revised business plan for FBC, renewing media partnerships and sponsors. Expanding FBCtv through new distribution channels and developing an online networking prototype. We’re also looking at franchising FBC and first term investment. The changes are all external developments, the heart of FBC will always remain the same - we’re bringing people together.

CB - We’re in talks to make FBCtv bigger and better and to increase the distribution, and we’re designing the prototype for FBC’s dedicated advanced social networking online portal.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, January 28 at FBC’s new venue partner for 2010: the Swaravski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café on Great Marlborough Street. Come and celebrate with us and enjoy some organic and fairtrade cupcakes from Cakehole!

Photos by Dave Wise for FBC

The 28^th of January is a busy day for FBC members. It’s the first official meeting of 2010 - marking the club’s 4^th birthday - and we’re excited to have FBC member and founder & CEO of my-wardrobe.com, Sarah Curran as our guest speaker to kick it all off.

Well, to add excitement to the mix, a few FBC members are dashing over to the BT Centre hours before the meeting to take part in the Drapers/Retail Week E-commerce Summit.

According to the Summit’s site, Britain is thought to have spent £50 Billion online in 2009, which is expected to increase by over 10% this year! The E-commerce Summit is designed to help delegates navigate and grow their businesses in the ever expanding and already crowded online market.

Frances Card, Courtney Blackman, Miriam Lahage

FBC member Frances Card of the Frances Card Consultancy (who will also be interviewing Sarah Curran later in the day) will be chairing the fashion-focused blogger and tweeter panel, where FBC co-chairman Courtney Blackman will sit as a panelist. They’ll be chatting about everything from bloggers’ influence on consumers to reputation management.

FBC member Miriam Lahage will be on another panel talking about discounting online and not compromising brand values as the former CEO of Koodos.

If any other FBCers are interested in attending two events in one day, find out more about the E-commerce Summit by visiting their website: E-commerce Summit

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

After just three years in business and hot on the heels of an impressive catwalk show at London Fashion Week, FBC member Bryce Aime has a brand new home for his eponymous label, and big plans for the future. Find out what’s in store for Bryce on Drapers.

FBC members and co-founders of PR agency Varg, Tove Westling and Caroline Almgren, are looking for the perfect fit.

They are on the search for a senior account director - someone who can start freelancing with the company now and slowly transition to an even more senior role when Caroline steps back to go on maternity leave.

Do you have what it takes? Or know someone who does?

Please send a covering letter and CV to Tove: tove@varg.co.uk or Caroline: caroline@varg.co.uk

Good luck!

Anne Look FBC Member & Fashion Stylist

It’s been a while since the Ford Models Supermodel of the World UK Search has been held in the UK, so who better to get involved with reviving it than FBC members? Members attended the catwalk finale, judged the finalists and where backstage making it happen!

…with William Tempest and Dolly Jones - photo by Anne Look

I was pulled in a couple of months ago to do the PR, but ended up co-ordinating quite a lot of it, and had the most incredible support from FBC board member Dolly Jones, editor of Vogue.com. She and her team were very generous with coverage on Vogue.com and Dolly was kind enough to donate her time to sit on the judging panel for the finale. Thank you, Dolly! FBC’s blog editor Rebekah Roy is one of the best catwalk stylists out there and she hit the ground running, not only prepping and styling the show, but pulling in the best of the best from Toni&Guy - Tim Furssedunn did the hair using label.m, and AOFM - Lan Nguyen did the make-up using MAC, and she got tights from Wolford. Rebekah, you are a star!

Rebekah Roy (centre) with two of her assistants

For clothing, I turned to FBC member Harold Tillman’s heritage label, Jaeger and they became the official clothes sponsor, providing 24 looks for the 12 finalists.  FBC member Georgina Goodman loaned the shoes, and our fantastically charismatic Frances Card made the most amazing and stunning host!

Frances Card

I sat between Iris Menier, European director of Ford Models and fashion designer William Tempest on the judging panel (if only to act as a living, breathing teleprompter for Frances) and we awarded Sadie Phelps the winner, who will go on to represent the UK in Sao Paulo in January.

Sadie Phelps (centre) with runners-up Daisy Toogood (left) and Sunnygirl Senjack (right) - photos by Dominic Clarke

FBC members came in droves!  In the audience sat FBC board member Daisy de Villeneuve, FBC membership director, Rita Nazareno and members: Anne Look (who was real-time mobile blogging),  Jimmy Ho, Caroline Almgren, Alison Lowe, Anne-Louis Fogtmann, Lenka O’Neill, Giovanna Velasquez, Issie Gibbons, Karen Brost, Kira Heuer, Natasha Frangos, Stine Brogaard, Tove Westling, Vanessa Warren and Victoria Holt.  If I’ve missed you out, let me know and I’ll add you in!

Anne Look post-show wearing a HEMYCA dress and Olivia Roat hat - photo by Magnus Arrevad

Thank you to everyone again for being involved, on every level. You all rock!

Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman