Fashion Business Club

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.

FBC would like to congratulate FBC member Mark Bage, creative director of Sarah Coggles, on a double win at the 2010 Drapers Awards. No stranger to awards over the last several years, Sarah Coggles, the York-based boutique that launched in 1976, was shortlisted in five different categories, so it was not surprising that two trophies went home with Mark. Mark and his team won Buyer/Buyer Team of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year.

Mark says, “We are very proud to have won the two main Drapers Awards. We were awarded ‘Buying Team of the Year’ and the overall winner of the night with ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’. It is such an amazing honour to have won so many in one night as the event is considered to be the industry’s Fashion Oscars.”

Mark and his team accepting both awards

The event was held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel and several FBC members were there to help celebrate 20 years of the awards. Matches commercial director, Frances Card; director of RAH Productions, Helen Puxley and associate director of EdenCanCan, Jonathan Kirkby were there, and table 17 was especially crowded with FBC members: Courtney Blackman, MD of Forward PR & FBC co-chair; Lauretta Roberts, digital development director at WGSN; Harold Tillman CBE, chairman of the British Fashion Council and our guest interviewee for the 25th, fashion retail consultant, creative advisor and trend forecaster, Yasmin Sewell.

See Lauretta Roberts interview Yasmin Sewell on Thursday the 25^th of November at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™. Contact: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

Today kicks off The Drapers Fashion Week. What initially started as a two-day event, The Drapers Fashion Summit, has now been extended to four days of insight, information and inspiration. Fashion Business Club (FBC) is proud to be a part of it and here’s what’s in store:

Monday, 15 November 2010 – WGSN Live

FBC member Lauretta Roberts is the digital development director of WGSN and today offers an exclusive trend day with WGSN’s global experts in fashion and style to identify and shape buying decisions for 2011, providing essential insight for strategy and exclusive consumer and product trends for next season.

Alice, Bunty, Courtney, Dolly, John, Mark, Harold

Tuesday, 16 and Wednesday 17 November 2010 – The Drapers Fashion Summit

The Drapers Fashion Summit is being held at London’s May Fair Hotel, with two days of visionary speakers from across the fashion world. Fashion’s elite will be joining together in a creative forum to debate and discuss the key themes and issues that are having an impact on the industry today. Along with Mary Portas, Ed Vaizey and Caroline Rush, FBC members who are speaking include Alice Stone, founder and director of Lily and Lionel; Bunty Stokes, country sales manager for Vente-Privée; Courtney Blackman, FBC co-founder and managing director of Forward PR; Dolly Jones, FBC board member and editor of VOGUE.COM; John Buni, managing director of Tailor Made London; Mark Bage, creative director of Coggles, and FBC member Harold Tillman CBE, chairman of the British Fashion Council and owner of Aquascutum and Jaeger will also be contributing. “It’s the Summit’s 10th anniversary and it’s fantastic that so many FBC members are lending their time and expertise to help make it great.” Courtney Blackman, FBC co-founder & co-chairman.

Thursday, 18 November 2010 – Fashion Study Tour

As one of the fashion world’s most influential cities, this is an opportunity to take in some of London’s most inspiring stores with WGSN guides.

For more details, visit: The Drapers Fashion Week

FBC is very pleased to have been an official partner of the inaugural WGSN Global Fashion Awards. The awards were conceptualised by FBC member Lauretta Roberts, WGSN’s digital development director, and executed to perfection by a WGSN team from around the globe.

The awards ceremony took place on the 18th floor at the Waldorf Astoria in New York on the 10th of November. Hosted by Nigel Barker, one of our proudest moments was when FBC member Harold Tillman CBE was recognised for his 40 plus years in the industry with the John Rocha designed, Waterford crystal trophy marked with Outstanding Contribution to Fashion. The award was much deserved as Harold is chairman of the British Fashion Council and owns two of Britain’s most iconic heritage labels: Jaeger and Aquascutum.

Nigel Barker, Harold Tillman and Barney’s Simon Doonan

FBC blog editor and celebrity fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy was responsible for nominating her longtime client, London-based fashion designer, William Tempest in the category of best Emerging Brand or Retailer. With a shortlist that included strong brands from around the world, William came out on top and won the award. William also was charged with dressing FBC co-founder Courtney Blackman, who wore a one-of-a-kind William Tempest dress to the awards ceremony, then changed into a piece from his SS11 collection for the after party. Courtney was representing the Global Fashion Awards through her PR agency, Forward PR and was there in the capacity of official FBC envoy.

Sarah Curran (2nd from right) with her team: Luisa de Paula, Fiona McIntosh, Jean-Marc Bouhelier and Lauren Stevenson

The winners of the Global Fashion Awards were selected by an expert panel of judges, made up the most influential people in fashion and style, including FBC board member and editor of VOGUE.COM, Dolly Jones, who was present at the ceremony in New York along with FBC members Sarah Curran, founder & CEO of my-wardrobe.com and executive headhunter, Orlando Martins of Oresa Limted.

Congratulations to Lauretta Roberts for creating a truly amazing event. We’ll look forward to the 2011 Global Fashion Awards!

Visit the GFA website for full details and results from the evening: WGSN Global Fashion Awards.

See Lauretta on the 25th of November at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ for the next FBC meeting, where she will interview the legendary Yasmin Sewell. For details contact: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net or press@fashionbusinessclub.net

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

FBC member Michael Herz stepped down from his position as head of womenswear design at Aquascutum (owned by FBC member Harold Tillman) on the 4^th of March after a very successful ten-year run, and was immediately, and not surprisingly, snapped up by another luxury label that’s been around since the 1850’s, Bally. Michael will be taking the reigns as the new creative director for womenswear, while his menswear counterpart from Aquascutum, Graeme Fidler will also be shifting over to head up the menswear.

Everyone at FBC is very happy for Michael and we caught up with him to get a few words, “I find it really exciting. It is so different to what I’ve been doing, but not. The role is multi-faceted, pulling all aspects of what I’ve done before into one position. Bally has a strong support system in place, which is really important to have…and seeing as the company is headquartered in Switzerland, it’s great, because I really want to learn to ski!”

We can’t wait to see Mr. Herz’s first collection for Bally, and to see him on the slopes of Zermatt.

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.

For morn information visit www.westfield.com/london

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

FBC member and former head of womenswear design for Aquascutum, Michael Herz, has resigned from his post along with menswear designer, Graeme Fidler.

With a decade under his belt at the luxury heritage label (after stints with Marc Jacobs and Alber Elbaz), and resounding positive reviews after his AW2010 collection, it is clear that Mr. Herz will be missed at the brand that was purchased last year by fellow FBC member Harold Tillman and run under the directorship of Belinda Earl.

What’s next for Michael?  There is lots of speculation. Stay tuned to find out. For a creative talent as big as his, it will no doubt be big.

Read what our media partner Vogue.com has to say: Vogue.com

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