Spring is nearly upon us and there’s no better way to welcome the warm weather than by marking our diaries with the up-and-coming FBC event starring Dolly Jones, Vogue.com editor and FBC board member, interviewing guest speaker Marigay McKee, fashion and beauty director at Harrods, next Thursday, March 25th at the Swarvoski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Cafe.
Having moved up the Harrods ladder - Marigay went from a senior buyer for perfumery and cosmetics in 1999 to womenswear in 2005, and to fashion director in 2007. Being FBC’s next guest speaker, Marigay says: “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to be involved with FBC. The arena they provide for discussion of our fast-moving industry is an ideal platform for the development of fresh and innovative ideas.”
Marigay McKee
As an ambassador for Harrods, Marigay has built up a reputation not only in the UK but in ‘fashion-able’ and ‘beauty-full’ circles, worldwide. She’s leads more than 2,000 employees, oversees over 1,000 fashion brands and lines, and represents almost 50 per cent of the elite store’s turnover. Dolly, who is excited to introduce Marigay to FBC members next week says: “She has become an icon of the international fashion scene herself and has made one of the most high profile jobs in fashion all her own. Hopefully we’ll be able to give some insight as to what it’s like to be her to the FBC audience.”
And insightful it will be. FBC members will get the scoop on how Marigay started off in the industry and how she has managed to achieve a retailers dream job at one of the most esteemed department stores in the world. From challenges that she’s come across - and overcome - to the new projects that lie ahead for the brand, Marigay will share that intimate world of Harrods, behind the golden ‘H.’
Alison Whelan, FBC co-founder and co-chairman says: “The Harrods brand and Marigay are a formidable buying team when it comes to fashion and beauty- and what better time is there for Dolly to interview Marigaythan straight after this season’s shows? Let’s get ready for an inspiring talk about what makes Harrods tick.”
FBC at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™
RSVP ladies and gent’s, this is definitely one FBC event not to be missed! The meeting will be held Thursday, March 25th at 3:00pm at the Swarvoski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Cafe on Great Marlborough Street.
The Vogue.com Street Chic team will be present photographing what FBC members are wearing. You have a little over a week to plan your ensemble!
Monday March 15th 2010, 9:24 am
Written by: Rebekah Roy
Filed under: Events
On March 18th until 20th, Westfield London - in partnership with Sunday Times Style, is hosting The Greatest Fashion Show on Earth.
The event is hosted by Erin O’Connor alongside Chairman of The British Fashion Council and FBC member Harold Tillman.
FBC member Lee Lapthorne and his team at the Doll are producing the show. All evening proceeds go to Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief Campaign and the White Ribbon Alliance to raise funds for mothers and babies in Haiti.
Two of the BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund short-listers will be showcasing their talent on the runway. The short-listers include Christopher Kane, Clements Ribeiro Erdem, Nicholas, Kirkwood, Marios Schwab and Richard Nicoll.
Wednesday March 10th 2010, 2:22 pm
Written by: Rebekah Roy
Filed under: Events, Fashion File, Members
Models at Sapphires: Thea, Yulia & Beatrix
FBC members Neely Reyes and Ian Warren of Sapphires Model Management have been invited to the House of Commons in praise of their business success; they were the selected model agency for a catwalk show and celebrity portrait auction with Harvey Nichols; they’ve worked exclusively with Selfridges and the Fashion Summit 2009; they landed a global Uniqlo account placing one their high-profile models, FBC board member, Daisy de Villeneuve; and Neely was recently asked to judge a fashion design competition over London Fashion Week.
Neely Reyes & Ian Warren
Well, they are at it again and have been invited to be guest speakers in the Expert Studio at the Fashion Fusion Expo 2010. Ian says,”We’re really excited to explain to people how an ethical modelling agency works and how the fashion industry as a whole can benefit from an agency like Sapphires.”
They will be talking about how to become a model, ethics in the industry, what to avoid and watch out for when signing to an agency, and health and wellbeing of models. Neely adds, “We’re really pleased to be speaking in the Expert Studio at the Fashion Fusion Expo. As an ethical modelling agency we’re looking forward to talking to people about the reality of working in the industry, health and wellbeing, and how to avoid scams.”
Ian and Neely’s presentation is at 4:00pm on Friday the 12th of March at the Old Truman Brewery.
Monday March 01st 2010, 8:19 pm
Written by: Rebekah Roy
Filed under: Designers, Events
FBC member Giovanna Velasquez of Magenta 8 will be exhibiting their 2010 Hummingbird collection at Atmosphere’s in Paris from Friday the 5th to Monday the 8th of March 2010.
Magenta 8 is London-based luxury brand that hand-makes capes, coats, jackets, shrugs and boleros from sumptuous alpaca wool.
Jardin des Tuileries, Terrase de Feuillants, 202 Rue de Rivoli- Paris 1er.
For more information contact Forward PR laura.mccluskey@forwardpr.com.
Friday February 19th 2010, 6:45 am
Written by: Daniella Cagol
Filed under: Events, London Fashion Week
Designers aren’t the only ones that will be putting up events and shows during London Fashion Week. Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™- FBC’s venue partner and where all their glamourous events are held- is holding events and exhibitions of their own in honour of the glamourous time that is London Fashion Week.
The Fashion Lounge- located at 24 Great Malborough Street- will kick off the Fashion Week celebrations starting 10th February and running through 14th April with its own Exquisite Fashion Designer Exhibition, showcasing a selective selection of designs that have integrated CRYSTALLIZEDSwarvoski Elements.
On the 19th- 24th February, the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Lounge will hold Fashion Week Video Streaming, every day video streaming the current Swarvoski-sponsored catwalk shows of New York, London, and Paris Fashion Weeks’, making these once exclusive events accessible to those who weren’t able to get their hands on stellar engraving and fine glossy invites. Course, if you can’t make it into the Lounge, fashion curiosity can be quenched at: www.swarvoski.tv.
Volt And F-Tape Get Crystallized Exhibition, running from 20th February through 14th March, Swarvoski will hold an exciting new exhibition in partnership with Volt Magazine, covering eight of the UK’s up-and-coming young designers. Each cover consists of thousands of CRYSTALLIZED Swarvoski Elements- a must have collector’s item for any fashion magazine connoisseur. Catch the Exhibition Special on 22nd February 4 p.m.- 7 p.m., al la free drinks.
If you’re interested in something catering to your musical senses, tune in to The Fashion Lounge, host to DJ Jerry Bouthier mixing it up for all the fashionistas in the dazzling yet chilled out cafe. This one of a kind event will take place on 23rd February from 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. but you must RSVP at LFWguestlist.swarvoski@crystallized.com or in store.
For those of you who will be swamped in your stilettos with being at London Fashion Week, cool things down with Swarvoski’s Post-Fashion Week Presentation on 25th February, 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in London Fashion Week’s key trends, “hot off the catwalk”, presented exclusively for guests by key industry fashion editor Jackie Dixon. This is a must attend, must RSVP event at: LFWguestlist.swarovski@crystallized.com or in store.
And for the fashionistas who are interested in picking up something frosted for the occasion that is London Fashion Week, keep in mind that Swarvoski is holding a 15% discount on its designer collections during fashion week, starting on 19th February- 26th February only. Now that’s shining in style!
FBC member Neely Reyes Founder and owner of Sapphires Model Management alongside fellow FBC member Lee Lapthorne of ON/Off, are judges for the Internet search engine Ask Jeeves.
They are looking for talent to create even more wardrobe options for iconic butler, Jeeves.
Jeeves is traditionally known for his suited attire, but in the run up to London Fashion Week Ask Jeeves and Nolcha fashion business services are asking all budding designers to send in their ideas for a new fashion forward look for their brand ambassador.
The winning design will be modelled by Jeeves on the Ask Jeeves homepage and supported by a theme design which will be added to the Ask Jeeves theme gallery.
The judging panel will look at all the entries sent in and select four finalists, with Ask Jeeves users selecting the final winning design.
Neely says: “I‘m excited to be judging the Dress Jeeves competition. The UK is filled with design talent and Jeeves makes the perfect model! I can’t wait to see what the entrants envision for the iconic British character.”
The competition launches on 10th February and runs to the 28th of February. For more information visit at www.uk.ask.com/dressjeeves from 10th February 2010.
As the city prepares itself for London Fashion Week, FBCers are gearing up, preparing themselves for the week ahead.
FBC co-chair and MD of Forward PR Courtney Blackman is launching Prophetik’s first fashion show at London Fashion Week. Courtney also represents the jewellery label LeJu who is exhibiting for their sixth season at London Fashion Fashion.
During London Fashion Week FBC editorand fashion stylist Rebekah Roy is styling several shows including Merit Award Winner William Tempest, Alice Palmer, Jasper Garvida, menswear designer Stefán Orschel-Read and Prophetik. She’s also been busy styling lookbooks with FBC members Jaime Cooke of Muksand Helen and Myra ofHemyca.
Prophetik will be opening the season at Vauxhall Fashion Scout run by FBC members and co-directors, Martyn Roberts and John Walford on Friday the 19th of September at 1:00pm.
To request at ticket request for Prophetik contact Sophie Gardner at: prophetik@forwardpr.com
Monday February 15th 2010, 10:29 am
Written by: Rebekah Roy
Filed under: Events
Drapers Etail Awards 2010 - FBC member and fashion journalist Navaz Batliwalla (for The Fashshot Studio) interviews FBC members: Mark Bage from Coggles, Frances Card and Sarah Curran of My Wardrobe!
