Fashion Business Club

SECOND ANNUAL WGSN GLOBAL FASHION AWARDS ANNOUNCE OPEN ENTRY

WGSN will once again honour fashion’s most inspirational and innovative at the second annual Global Fashion Awards in New York City. The Global Fashion Awards were created by WGSN in 2010 to recognise and reward those who are pushing the boundaries of fashion, propelling the industry forward and setting the style agenda on a global scale. The second annual WGSN Global Fashion Awards open entry launches today and is a call for all individuals and businesses working across the fashion industry around the world. Entries can be made online via www.globalfashionawards.com.

“The WGSN Global Fashion Awards celebrate the fashion industry as a completely connected, global platform.  In order to be successful in this universe, one needs the talents and expertise of a wide variety of players, from designers to business leaders, retailers to editors and marketers to models – it takes a whole village…but a very chic one”. Fern Mallis, Founder of New York Fashion Week

The shortlist will be announced in London at a party on the 20th of June at the St Martins Lane Hotel and the winners will be announced at a ceremony that will take place at the Global Fashion Awards’ larger and more fabulous new venue, Gotham Hall in New York City on the 20th of October in front of an audience of fashion’s most influential industry insiders.

“As a creative company, we are constantly looking for new experiences. Getting in contact with new realities, markets, cultures and interesting people is our every day basis. Since WGSN has clients all over the world, the Global Fashion Awards exposure and event was great for us and our clients who joined us on the journey”. Fernanda Pigatto, Institutional Relationship Manager, La Estampa

This year’s categories will again encompass all major business and creative disciplines in fashion including design, retail (off and online), buying, visual merchandising, store design, marketing and ethical practice. The WGSN Global Fashion Awards are the first and only awards that recognise these achievements on a global scale.

The winners will be selected by an expert panel of judges, made up of some of the most prominent people in the fashion and style industries, including designers, buying directors, stylists, merchants and marketing executives. The judges’ panel was carefully selected by WGSN to ensure impartiality and global expertise. The 2011 panel includes:

Chee Au, Chief Creative Officer, Shanghai Tang

June Haynes, Senior Vice President of Retail, Valentino USA

Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz, Creative Directors, Bally

Orsola de Castro, Founder and Curator of the British Fashion Council’s Estethica

Dolly Jones, Editor, VOGUE.COM UK

Simon Kneen, Creative Director and Executive Vice President of Design, Banana Republic

Averyl Oates, Buying Director, Harvey Nichols – Menswear, Womenswear and Accessories

Jana Ririnui, Founder and Director, Academy of Freelance Makeup

William Tempest, Founder and Designer, William Tempest

Daisy de Villeneuve, Illustrator, Designer and Writer

Rebekah Roy, Fashion & Celebrity Stylist

“The landscape of the fashion industry has become more transparent and open. The Internet and social media have fostered new relationships, opportunities and means of operation for fashion businesses and exposed the fashion marketplace to a new global consumer. As the largest and foremost style and design forecaster, WGSN is charged with finding and honouring the world’s idea-makers – the ones whose actions and influence inspire the fashion industry and the broader consumer market”. Susanna Kempe, CEO of WGSN

For more press information on the WGSN Global Fashion Awards and to register your interest, please contact Courtney Blackman. Email: courtney.blackman@forwardpr.com Phone: +44 20 7839 5059

About WGSN

WGSN is the global authority on style and design. The company identifies and analyzes current and future style trends and provides its customers with state-of-the-art online tools that that can be used to create commercially successful products and services. WGSN defines and shapes wining style and design for over 36,000 customers globally. WGSN customers include many of the world’s leading apparel, style, design and retail companies including Levi Strauss & Co., Adidas, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, Benetton Group, and Marks and Spencers, among others. WGSN is head quartered in London and has offices all over the world including Milan, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.wgsn.com. Follow WGSN on Twitter: @wgsn.

At Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ on March 31, FBC hosted another sell out meeting where Fashion Editor Navaz Batliwalla (Disneyrollergirl)  conducted an inspirational and succinct interview with Fashion Editor Sasha Wilkins (Libertylondongirl) highlighting the business evolution of two exceptional bloggers. From initially blogging anonymously to finally taking the bold step of sharing their identities and profiting from their skills – resulting in authentic brand partnerships and selective affiliate marketing. Interested and would like to know more?

For all our members and guests who attended the sell out meeting – we hope your enjoy a refresher from FBCtv – and for members who missed the meeting, we hope you enjoy and are inspired by two exceptional women.

Blog written by: Bukie Aje-Lloyd

Navaz Batliwalla (DRG) and Sasha Wilkins(LLG(

Yesterday’s Fashion Business Club (FBC) event was a meeting of minds and experiences between Sasha Wilkins (Liberty London Girl LLG) and Navaz Batliwalla (DisneyRollerGirl DRG).

Wilkins started blogging in 2007, inspired by Belle de Jour, the anonymous sex blogger who had won awards for her online writing as early as 2003 when traditional media and online forums alike started speculating on her identity.

Liberty London Girl was originally launched as a journal reflecting her wide range of interests and experiences. To this day the LLG blog has kept this unique tone – a recipe for ‘Delicious Green soup to keep you healthy‘ alongside pictures of Posetta Baddog the Dachshund. What has changed however, is her popularity and following, resulting in a serious amount of blog power. LLG historical stats show nearly 5,000 hits in the first year compared to 125 000 monthly unique hits in 2011.

The tipping point in LLG readership was a November 2009 Daily Telegraph article listing her alongside 24 other fashion blogs. Syndicated worldwide, it had more impact than an earlier, shorter print mention in Grazia‘s barometer and praise in Paris Vogue. By 2009, the fashion blogosphere had moved from being a tight-knit community with a handful of hardcore bloggers knowing each other, to an expanding network of blogs of varying quality mostly focused on personal and street style photography.

LLG is a multi-channel brand encompassing blog advertising, a media consultancy in the form of LLG Consults and licensing. Yesterday, just prior to the FBC event Wilkins received email confirmation on her signing with literary and talent agency Curtis Brown.

Revealing their identity was one of the hardest decisions Wilkins and Batliwalla made as bloggers. Their rationale however was similar; motivated by all the opportunities missed. due to personal requests for anonymity. Wilkins notably regrets being stuck in the US without the means to buy a Milan plane ticket and sit alongside Garance, The Sartorialist and Bryan Boy on the D&G SS10 front row, the show where bloggers became stars. Going public meant being able to put a face on a brand and raise its profile. Known for having the courage of her opinions, Wilkins acknowledges that it is a ‘nicer version of LLG now it her face on it’.

Alison Whelan, Navaz Batliwalla and Sasha Wilkins

This nicer version doesn’t include undeserved praise. LLG isn’t for sale. Most of the freebies she receives or is offered are either turned down or sent back, especially if they aren’t a good match for her readership. Amongst the best pieces of PR, she names a custom-made Barbour for Posetta (‘get me through my dog – smart’) and an Angel Jackson Continental clutch & iPad case she was gifted after a year long reciprocal relationship with the brand. The bag sold out over night after she posted a picture on her blog. Relationships with the press can be successful, but only if both sides have done their homework. Refuting the traditional ‘PRs bad, bloggers good’ paradigm, LLG points the finger at bloggers behaving badly, expecting payments or freebies for posts. Both Wilkins and Batliwalla agree however, that sold out bloggers are unlikely to gather faithful readership. What makes the difference online is a unique tone. For that reason LLG rarely blogs press events – ‘What’s the point of covering something already rehashed online by everyone else or to blog clothes six months before they hit the racks?’

As seasoned fashion editors, both Wilkins and Batliwalla share tips and industry news with their readers that few other bloggers have access to. This authoritative voice however doesn’t give them the insight to predict how their blogs and brands will evolve in a world moving quickly and in unexpected ways. Everything LLG and DRG are doing is being done for the first time – there is no road map, they are writing the instructions book as they blog along – with great humour, integrity and authenticity.

Guest Writer - Lucie Goulet.

All photography by Michelle Bobb-Parris

Designer and FBC member Yan To provided an unusual opportunity for pedestrians on Conduit Street’s busy shopping area to see a designer at work, when he created a special one-off piece, live in store at Layers London for London Fashion Week (LFW).

What was the reason for this approach? Yan says that pragmatism and cash constraints made him more creative in more aspects than just his collection. “I wanted to do something during LFW but didn’t have the funds for a catwalk show or even an exhibition space. I then got to thinking about ways in which I could do something different yet creative and connect with a wide section of people for minimum cost.”

The finished product (seen below), a black dress base overlaid with three boxes of elastic will also be featuring as part of his collection in the Eastern Block Showroom in Paris from 3-9 March.

You can see more designs by Yan to on is website www.yan-to.com

Blog written by: Bukie Aje-Lloyd FBC London

FBC member Adam Holdsworth of N.Peal  would like to invite all FBC members and guests to the Cashmere Sample Sale and Winter Clearance. Renowned for it’s exceptional quality and timeless style for men and women, the N.Peal cashmere sale is always well attended and savvy shoppers come early for the best pieces. For an idea of what to expect at the sale, please view the image below.

Open from 12 noon Thursday 10th March to Saturday 12th March 2011

Location: N.Peal, No. 37 Burlington Arcade, Mayfair

http://www.npeal.com

Autumn/Winter 2010 Campaign image shot by Photographer Terry McGough

To mark Fashion Business Club (FBC)’s 5^th anniversary, the fashion professionals network invited German sequin master; Markus Lupfer to talk to FBC board member and VOGUE.COM UK editor, Dolly Jones at London’s Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™.

The first thing that strikes you about Markus Lupfer is his humility and down-to-earth nature. Despite his global success as a fashion designer and the droves of celebrity devotees endorsing his brand, he remains businesslike, approachable and engaging.

These characteristics are clearly assets that he brings into his business, allowing him to be both groundbreaking and experimental with unique ranges that remain wearable everyday basics. It is crucial for Lupfer that he never isolates his stockists or perhaps most importantly: his customers.

Despite confessing to being ‘a bit shy’ and preferring to operate behind the curtain of his own business, his thoughtful responses to Dolly’s questions revealed that he is clearly a skilled communicator and careful listener. Indeed, attention to detail and intricate finishing have come to define and differentiate his brand and Markus confirms, “Embellishment has become the signature of the label”.

Dolly Jones & Markus Lupfer

When asked if his upcoming tea at The Sanderson arranged for London Fashion Week in February perhaps indicates a desire to return to the catwalk, Markus is clear to define his priorities. “You have to make things bigger, louder, more extreme for the catwalk,” but Markus focuses on fashion that works on the shop floor, advising, “Think about your customer. If the shop has an issue, help them with it. Without the shop floor you don’t have a business.”

Whilst Markus has not yet found a direct replacement for the catwalk, he continues to inform the market by building relationships and making himself and his brand accessible to existing and prospective customers.

Customer centricity is not something that he simply pays lip service to; for Markus Lupfer it is a way of life. In conversation with Dolly who said, “…you strike me as a very international person – do you think that’s the secret to your success, the fact that you are multicultural and always travelling?” Markus replied, “I think that it is really important to travel. If I look at it from a business point of view… it’s colder here but quite often my markets are in hotter climates. It is important to look at other countries and see what they like to wear”.

He is evidently tuned into the varying tastes of his diverse markets, creating ranges that are culturally as well as geographically specific. This awareness and proactive response to customer needs is perfectly summed up in his tailoring of certain products for Harrods in the build up to Ramadan.

Markus Lupfer’s creations have become synonymous with celebrity wardrobes and this plays a key role in the broader marketing of his brand.

Dolly: “You worked with Olivia Palermo fairly on in her career, that makes you a spotter of new talent”

Markus: “You need to strike a balance between the likes of Rihanna and new, up and coming [talents].

Dolly: “Who’s next on your radar?”

Markus: “There is someone coming up soon… we’ll see!”

A balanced representation from established global stars and relatively undiscovered new talent reflects a very deliberate effort to remain inclusive and accessible, despite clearly appealing to the luxury end of the market.

As a German designer, now based in the UK he is asked to discuss what the British fashion scene has done for him. “I came here to study and that was really crucial I think because I studied for 2 years in Germany where fashion culture was very correct and followed rules. Then when I came here it was all about ‘Who are you?’ ‘What do you want to achieve?’ I think the UK [fashion scene] is the strongest in the world”

Markus Lupfer talking with Frances Card of Matches and Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™’s Stine Broggard

Where he does see flaws and room for improvement in the UK market is on the ‘sell side’ and rightly emphasises that, “ability to sell your collection will make or break your business.”

At the end of a very informative interview, which flows more like a conversation between two old friends – questions are opened up to the floor.

Unsurprisingly, the first question is prefaced with a comment about how refreshingly humble and candid Markus is, despite his huge success. He is then asked if he would ever consider a ‘diffusion line’.

In his response, he explains that his business is structured to serve three separate markets and price points, again reaffirming his dedication to accessibility. Sticking to this formula is considered more relevant for him and avoids overcomplicating things for his stockists.

A further questioner mentions seeing the German designer at Harvey Nicholls, being the face of the brand during Vogue’s ‘Fashion’s Night Out’ where he seemed to be enjoying the customer direct experience. “Generally I am happy to do it” he doesn’t instinctively want to be on centre stage but explains, “I love to see who my customers are”. Being more closely linked to retailers than their customers, it is a rare insight for him to meet them and receive direct feedback.

Markus Lupfer talking with Tala Samman of My Fash Diary and FBC co-founder Courtney Blackman

Finally, Courtney Blackman (co-chairman and co-founder of FBC) asks about his views on social networking sites and new models of communication, and Lupfer, ever keen to reach out to his customers is excited by the social networking phenomenon and confirms he is a regular Tweeter, and that he has a film in the pipeline.

The 5^th anniversary reached its conclusion with music from three fashionable DJ’s called The Collection led by Jeffrey Louis-Reed from Audio Sushi, champagne and ‘FBC Cocktails’ made especially by the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ bar staff. Markus joined in the celebrations, taking the time to chat to FBC members making the most of the opportunity to talk to one of London’s foremost fashion business minds.

Written by FBC member Alice Stone of Lily and Lionel

Photos by FBC photographer Venetia van Hoorn Alkema

FBC co-founder Courtney Blackman, and FBC member Amisha Ghadiali are lending their expertise to the Ethical Fashion Forum’s (EFF) Excellence in Ethical Fashion training day on Friday the 10th of December.

The EFF is bringing together experts in fashion business and sustainability to develop an intensive day of training. The event will cover market and sales success, business and financial success, and excellence in sustainable sourcing.   

Courtney and Amisha will be taking part in the Meet the Experts session, whereby 19 of the UK’s foremost experts in fashion and sustainability will be available for one to one advice sessions.

Courtney, who specialises in fashion marketing and PR is the founder and managing director of London’s Forward PR and is an EFF board member. Courtney will be on hand to talk to attendees about building or increasing press and media presence and profiling their brands.

Amisha is an ethical jewellery designer and former associate director of the EFF. Previously responsible for social media and promotion, Amisha played an overall strategic role within the organisation. Amisha now works with fashion brands helping them understand the complete picture when it comes to bringing sustainability into their businesses, and advises them on how to increase their presence in the media and online.

For more information on attending the event, click here.

FBC member Imran Amed has made GQ’s 2011 100 Most Influential Men list. Coming in as a new entry at 92, the founder and editor of The Business of Fashion is lauded by GQ for ‘joining two worlds. Amed is the Harvard MBA and former management consultant who saw that there was no online forum for fashion insiders to debate topics and trends within the business. His blog is replete with snappy comment, streamed interviews with leading figures, and relevant insider news.’

Imran sits with fantastic company spanning fashion, politics, film, art, food, medicine, sport and television and tells FBC, “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that a little website I started writing from the sofa in my living room would grow into a fashion phenomenon. To be included on the GQ list is a huge surprise, but also a huge honour.”

See Imran in the January 2011 issue of GQ.

Well done, Imran!

Fashion Business Club would like to wish FBC member Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council a hearty congratulations. Harold has been awarded with an honourary CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by the Princess Royal in recognition of his services to the fashion industry.

Harold was awarded his medal at Buckingham Palace on the 25th of November and later held a reception at the newly refurbished Savoy where he commented, ‘It is a real honour to be recognised in this way. The UK is home to some of the world’s leading fashion brands and I am proud to be associated with a number of them through the British Fashion Council and directly with Jaeger and Aquascutum. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to acquire these two wonderful British businesses with true heritage and be part of their revival.’

FBC members present at The Savoy celebration included Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, Lauretta Roberts, digital development director of WGSN, and FBC co-founder & MD of Forward PR, Courtney Blackman.

Under his initiative, Fashion Pioneers, FBC member Imran Amed will next talk to Nick Knight, fashion photographer and founder and director of SHOWstudio.com.

On the eve of SHOWstudio.com’s 10th anniversary, Nick Knight will join FBC member Imran Amed, founder and editor of The Business of Fashion in a rare conversation.

The talk will take place on Friday the 26^th of November, at London’s Hospital Club and will focus on Nick’s career, the first ten years of SHOWstudio.com, and the future of fashion communication in the digital era.

Imran says, “We are honoured to welcome Nick Knight into our select group of FASHION PIONEERS. There are few individuals who have participated in fashion’s digital revolution with the same passion and foresight as Nick Knight. His experience, opinions and ideas are highly valued by our global fashion community.”

The event will be streamed live to thousands of viewers around the world and will include live questions from Twitter using hashtag: #BoFlive

A limited number of tickets are available for purchase for those who would like to attend in person.  Imran’s last event with Natalie Massenet sold out in three days, so click here to purchase your ticket now.