Fashion Business Club

An interview with  FBC member and Founder and  Director of Milli Millu, Mireia Llusia-Lindh.

What is your fashion business background?
I don’t have a very traditional fashion background as I studied business and worked in management consulting for many years. I have always loved fashion though so I tried to focus on consumer and luxury goods clients and had the privilege of advising clients such as Burberry and LVMH on their strategy issues.

About 1.5 years ago, I decided it was time to move from the advisory to the execution side and decided to launch my own accessories brand. So I have spent the past 18 months searching for beautiful leathers and materials, selecting our manufacturing partner, developing the collection and introducing our brand to the press. It has been an incredibly exciting journey so far and I have enjoyed every minute.

What inspired you to create a handbag collection?
It was a combination of two things, on the one hand my passion for design and on the other the aim to fulfill a customer need that I felt was unmet. Working as a management consultant I always struggled to find the perfect handbag. The bags on offer were either cool or functional, none was the perfect fusion of the two. I ran a small survey among other working women and 95% said they couldn’t find their perfect handbag either. This confirmed the opportunity was there. I had other business ideas that I thought could work, but fashion and design is where my heart lies so when I became pregnant 1.5 years ago and had to take time off, I decided to go for it and launch Milli Millu.

What is a typical day for you like?
Like many women out there, I am juggling running a business with motherhood, so there’s lots of multitasking! When I am not with my daughter Olivia, product is my main focus and what takes most of my time, both developing the new collections and ensuring the production of the current collection is on track. There are several additional projects that take the rest of my time, at the moment I am working very closely with the agency to finalize the website and I also spending time introducing Milli Millu to the press. I work most evenings as Olivia is asleep and it’s when my creativity peaks… I’m a night owl!

When is your website launching?
www.millimillu.com will be launched in mid-September, offering the A/W 2010 collection exclusively across Europe.

How does being part of FBC have a positive affect on your business?
The FBC has been a great discovery for me, I was introduced by a friend 4 months ago and I cannot speak highly enough. I always learn something from the speakers and the networking is opening a lot of interesting opportunities for my business. I always look forward to the next meeting!

For more information visit Milli  Millu.

Previous INNOVATION winner: Lalesso

On the 30^th of June at Fashion Business Club (FBC)’s venue partner, Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ (organised by FBC member, Stine Brogaard, CRYSTALLIZED™’s marketing operations manager), FBC board members Courtney Blackman, co-founder & co-chairman of FBC and Dolly Jones, editor of Vogue.com will be joined by FBC member and fashion director of Recognise Magazine, Shyla Hassan and other industry professionals including model Laura Bailey, ESTETHICA’s Orsola de Castro, Neil Hendy of M&S, Katie Davis of Pure and Anne Golden of St Martins Lane Hotel to make up the panel of judges for the INNOVATION Awards.

The winners will be selected from twelve finalists and on hosting the judging session, Nadja Swarovski, vice president of international communications says, “We are pleased to host the Ethical Fashion Forum’s INNOVATION Awards at our Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Concept Store and Café. It is essential within the fashion world to support designers showcasing inspirational talent in fashion design while addressing environmental challenges. The INNOVATION Awards celebrate their creative work dedicated to making positive change in the industry which is benefiting people and the environment.”

Previous INNOVATION winner: Mia

Launched by The Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) and the Fairtrade Foundation, the INNOVATION Awards officially recognise and aim to support emerging designers working within the ethical fashion sector.

Dolly Jones highlights the importance of the INNOVATION Awards, saying that it “supports and promotes designers who are set to make a difference for people and the environment.”

Previous INNOVATION winner: Mark Liu

Winners of the INNOVATION Award will have the opportunity to show their S/S 2011 collection at either PURE or London Fashion Week’s ESTETHICA in September 2010.

FBC’s own Courtney Blackman, also on the board of the EFF, says “Previous winners of the INNOVATION Awards have made great contributions to both environmental and social sustainability through fashion. I can’t wait to see what this year’s entrants have in store as far as design and technical advancements.”

For further details, visit: Ethical Fashion Forum

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.

Get top denim tips from FBC members Sarah Curran, CEO of my-wardrobe.com and Rebekah Roy, fashion stylist and FBC blog editor at my-wardrobe.com’s pop up Denim Bar.

FBC co-founders Alison Whelan (L) and Courtney Blackman (R) with Joseph Velosa and Imran Amed

Amidst the crystal beads and magnificent showcase of sparkly eye candy at the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store & Café, sat a group of fashionistas, PR gurus, stylists, photographers, boutique owners and fashion editors. There was a buzz in the room as Joseph Velosa and Matthew Williamson took to their seats. Matthew sat elegantly poised in the front row in his signature style whilst his business partner, Joseph Velosa, had us captivated by his eloquence and clean–cut charm.

Imran Amed, FBC member and editor and co-founder of The Business of Fashion and Luxury Society, conducted the interview with stylish aplomb. Imran’s carefully considered interview questions directed at Joseph were enlightening and gave us a rare glimpse into the brand we have grown to love and associate with exotic charm and embellished glamour. We learnt about the brand’s overwhelming passion for retail, the spin-off collaborations with the likes of High Street giant H&M, future ventures with Bulgari and the imminent menswear collection. Joseph talked about bricks and mortar and the challenges of offering a customer experience on the net. He stressed the importance of brand-building and the value of partnership. He spoke about the impact of Matthew Williamson returning to the runway at London Fashion Week and the expansion into the Far East. We had a glimpse into the future of the brand with the faint scent of a fragrance label and home ware too.

Imran Amed and Joseph Velosa

We were privy to an audible feast of colourful detail expressed through the words of Velosa. Joseph spoke about separating womens wear into RTW and Escape, explaining in no uncertain terms that: ”Retail for us is a 3D manifestation of everything we believe a brand to be. The most powerful thing is for a brand to have a clear identity and for us, our focus is RTW”.

Imran concluded by asking Joseph to leave us with a ‘pearl of wisdom’ and with that Joseph threw his hands into the air and exclaimed: “Good Luck!”

Juliet Hutton-Squire, Editor of Adorn London & FBC Member

www.adorn-london.com

A feature from a jewellery editor wouldn’t be complete without a little jewellery focus. I managed to capture the jewels of some of those present on the day. Here’s what the members were wearing – ‘Street Style’ at FBC…

Matthew Williamson with his jewellery collection designed in collaboration with Swarovski

Courtney Blackman, co-founder of FBC and Managing Director of Forward PR was wearing an Ada Zanditon dress, a pink stone dome ring by Queensbee, the ‘Blade’ pendant by Annika Burman and ‘Galaxy’ hand-hammered silver necklace by Nikki Galloway all available from Mayfair’s Nude Jewellery as well as an Elsa Peretti bone cuff from Tiffany

FBC member Charlene Campbell, founder and Director of Style News was wearing a simple Tiffany heart necklace.

FBC member Lizanne Senior, Marketing Manager of Eksandar Ltd wears a layered statement piece by Danish designer, Monies

FBC member Michaela Wenkert from Lady Double You, wears an eclectic mix of jewellery finds inspired by travel. Her necklace was from Portobello, and arrangement of rings from Greece, Marrakech and New York City

FBC member Hatty Stevens form Harriet Maria Bespoke PR and Creative Consultancy wears delicate multi-layered neckwear by Alex Monroe and Penhaligon

FBC member Kira Heuer, owner of Biba&Sola wears multi-strand metallic beads from a boutique in LA

FBC member Mireia Llusia, Founder and Director of Milli Millu Ltd wears a gold bracelet from India

FBC visiting guest Jaqueline Adholla, Editor of G Fashion Week, wears a bold link choker from Carnaby Street, bangle stack from the High Street and geometric ring from Dubai

FBC member Deryane Tadd, Director of The Dressing Room wears a statement Fiona Paxton neckpiece

Photographs courtesy of Adorn London and David Wise photography

In association with media partner: VOGUE.COM

FBC member and  founder of Style News,  Charlene Campbell is a contributer to Life and Style, and is a contributing Editor to MSN and ASKMEN.com.

Charlene will be leading a panel of experts including Fashion Journalists for print and online magazines and global PR and digital marketing specialists at the Fashion and Textile Museum on June 19th.

Read the rest of this entry »

FBC members are invited to attend Indian Premier London Fashion Week from Monday the 10^th to Wednesday the 12^th of May.

FBC members Ian Warren and Neely Reyes, owners of Sapphires Model Management are providing 40 models for the event exclusively, and referred fellow FBC members Martyn Roberts and John Walford, directors of Vauxhall Fashion Scout for the production.

Neely says, “Sapphires are very excited to be providing models exclusively for this event and even more thrilled that Fashion Scout were secured to produce the event. India is a rapidly emerging fashion market and we are very glad to be part of such an important event to the country, and what will soon be the rest of the world. Fashion Scout is London’s biggest producer and we absolutely love working with John and Martyn.”

India’s top fashion designers will partake in 18 catwalk shows and 25 designer exhibitions over the 3 days. This is the first of what is planned to be a twice yearly event going forward.

FBC’s Martyn Roberts comments, “Fashion Scout is pleased to be producing Indian Premier London Fashion Week’s event. We are looking forward to seeing a selection of top Indian designers as modelled on fellow FBC members’ Sapphires Model Management.”

Elle India and Asian Woman magazine are media partners, MAC is supplying the kits and the makeup is being done by the London School of Media Makeup.

Monday 10 – Wednesday 12 May
Bloomsbury Ballroom
37 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA

If you would like to attend, RSVP to Raksha:  raksha@iplfashionweek.com

An Interview with FBC member Amisha Ghadiali.

Amisha only recently joined FBC and she’s already worked with a number of FBC members. She not only is the designer and founder of Amisha Jewellery, she is an associate director for the Ethical Fashion Forum and is also the founder of Think Act Vote.

What is your fashion background?
AG – I started working in fashion in 2006 when I set up my jewellery label amisha.elegance.rebellion I quickly had to learn all sides of the business from design, marketing, sales, styling, to the accounts as you do when you work on your own. I set up my label with an ethical focus to create something beautiful and natural but also to spark awareness on the work of important charities that focus both in the UK and in the world. I launched the label in the summer of 2007, debuting at the British Design Pavilion of International Jewellery London, the UK’s only dedicated trade jewellery event where the most talented, cutting-edge British designers are hand-selected to appear alongside innovative international collections.

The collections are made up entirely of limited edition pieces, each one a unique arrangement of handcrafted silver and semi-precious stones. Each design carefully combines the colours and properties of the stones and crystals used to produce jewellery that complements and enhances the natural beauty of the wearer. The pieces embody romance and timeless elegance whilst hinting at the spirit of passion and rebellion that come with just seeing where life takes you…

You’re the Founder & Director of Think Act Vote. Can you tell us a bit about this?
AG – I started the campaign in mid February because of a frustration about the negative view of politics held by so many people in the UK today, and an ambition to do something about it – to create a community around our relationship with the political system and the choices we make for our future. An election was looming and unlike in previous years, I just wasn’t interested. I realised that if I felt that way, there would be loads of people out there with the same feeling.

I wanted to turn the election on its head, and when you boil it down, an election is all about our future. So the point of this campaign is to focus on that – a positive view of the future.

It’s all about using creative energy. The aim of this part of the campaign is to create a book called ‘The Future I Choose‘ which will be available to buy, but we will also present to the Prime Minister in June – whoever that may be. It gives people to opportunity to either be photographed for the book (it is a lifestyle photography book) or to take part by sharing their vision of the future by answering the question, “What Future Do You Choose?” By doing this you get to think about the world that you want to live in and how you can change the way you can help to get us there. Plus it’s an opportunity to get your picture in a book – doesn’t that appeal a little bit to everyone?

I think fashion is really important as a way of communicating who you are and communicating messages. So felt that it should play a central role in the campaign, and could be used to engage people in politics.

At the beginning of the campaign, we ran a competition to design the perfect campaign t-shirt, which was a great opportunity for up and coming illustrators to showcase their work. The winning design by Jesson Yip was selected by a judging panel that included Katharine Hamnett and FBC board member Daisy de Villeneuve. The symbols represent each word, with different fonts to represent different people’s voices. The design was then printed onto earth positive eco T-shirts and is now on sale. From working with ethical designers, I have seen an enormous amount of resourcefulness and creativity, so wanted to use this talent in the campaign. I asked eight leading eco designers; Ada Zanditon, Junky Styling, Tara Starlet, Beautiful Soul, Ciel, Nancy Dee and Miksani to turn the t-shirts into show pieces using only scraps from their current collections. The results were stunning.

You’re also the Associate Director Ethical Fashion Forum. Can you tell us more about how you’re involved?
AG – I have always been interested in the bigger picture and feel that sustainability within fashion is a necessity, and something that will be incorporated into all design in the future. In 2008 I was production manager for The RE:Fashion Awards, the world’s first awards ceremony to celebrate improving social and environmental standards in the fashion industry. The RE:Fashion Awards were founded by Anti-Apathy, Futera and the Ethical Fashion Forum. Straight after this, I took a role with the Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) first as a project manager. My work at EFF has included launching the Ethical Fashion Online Network, and co-coordinating 2009’s Spotlight on Sourcing event series. This included seminars, master-classes and networking events all focused on different areas of sustainable sourcing for fashion businesses. Now as associate director, my role is based around strategy for the organisation. I also project manage RE:Fashion, which is building on the success of the RE:Fashion Awards by bringing leading retailers and designers interested in sustainability together to create a vision for the fashion industry and work towards it.

What is your favourite ethical brand?
AG – I only wear ethical labels and mix them up with the clothes I have had for years. I have favourites for different occasions, but my top three are Mark Liu, Ada Zanditon and Junky Styling.

How important is FBC and networking to your business?
AG – Networking is vital. It’s really important to meet other people in the industry and have an idea of what everyone is doing. I am new to FBC, as I only joined in March, but have already worked with several members; Courtney Blackman & Dolly Jones through EFF, Daisy de Villenueve through Think Act Vote, Helen Puxley through the RE:Fashion Awards and Helen Clinch through my jewellery. I look forward to working with some more members in the future. I really enjoyed listening to the interview with Marigay Mckee, it is great to be part of FBC and learn from the best!

The Sanderson’s Long Bar

The Sanderson celebrated their tenth anniversary and our board member Daisy de Villeneuve, was invited to sit on the executive committee along with industry mainstays including Jasmine Guinness, Olivia Inge, Nicholas Kirkwood, Richard Mortimer and Todd Lynn. All were at the event, centered around The Sanderson’s Long Bar and outside space where Florence + the Machine performed.

A photo booth was set up for added fun and we played a little game called ‘have your photo taken with two of FBC’s board members.’

We started easy with fellow FBC member and vice president of international sales and business development at Diane von Furstenberg, Gabriella Piccinni and handbag designer Ethan Koh. We then got Brian Jones, senior vice president of sales for the Morgans Hotel Group to join us; then model/actress, Camilla Rutherford for a Charlie’s Angels-inspired session, complete with wind machine. We capped it off with an FBC board members only shoot. Daisy is wearing Diane von Furstenberg and I’m in Jasper Garvida, with bags by FBC’s, Rita Nazareno and her label, S.C. Vizcarra.

*Overdone trend of the evening: very high knotted hair, on both women and (long-haired) men.

FBC member Britt Lintner is holding a spring/summer preview on Wednesday the 21st of April at the Morton Metropolis Gallery.

Doors open at 6:30pm, with a fashion show at 7:00.

Space is limited, so if you would like to attend, get in touch with Britt’s team ASAP: info@brittlintner.com or 020 7610 4070.

Morton Metropolis Gallery, 41-42 Berners Street, London W1T 3NB

See you there!