Fashion Business Club

Bally was one of the most talked about luxury labels during the SS11 press weeks and FBC knows why! FBC member Michael Herz is the creative director and designed an amazing collection of accessories and footwear.

Michael Herz at the July FBC meeting where he interviewed Edward Enninful

Longtime FBC member Michael Herz, the new creative director of womenswear for Bally can chalk SS/11 up as a success! Michael designed accessories including handbags and shoes to astounding positive review from WWD, Style.com and from Anna Wintour herself!  And the range has been picked up by Net-a-Porter.

Michael says, “My time at Bally so far has been amazing. I’m really enjoying the new challenges that the creative director role brings to the table, and although the travel is intense, I am getting to visit some rather exciting places. The S/S11 season has been a triumph, well received by both international media and buyers, and  I thoroughly enjoyed designing shoes and handbags – a real departure from coats!”

See some of Michael’s designs below:

Congratulations, Michael!

FBCtv’s latest and exclusive production of stylist and creative director, Edward Enninful being interviewed by Bally’s creative director, Michael Herz at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ is now available to watch on VOGUE.COM.

Never let it be said that FBC isn’t ultra-glam – as FBC members walked into Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ for the Edward Enninful meeting, they were confronted by a large group of paparazzi!  We later learned that they were there to snap a certain supermodel tipped to be in the audience…

Meeting supermodels was certainly not on the agenda.  We were without question in attendance to hear the talented Edward Enninful take his turn in the FBC hot seat.

Michael Herz & Edward Enninful

FBC’s very own Magnús Magnússon for the afternoon was longtime Fashion Business Club member and creative director of womenswear at Bally, Michael Herz, who conducted the interview as the duo talked about Edward’s road to international success.

FBC co-founders Alison Whelan & Courtney Blackman with Edward Enninful & Michael Herz

Starting out from humble beginnings in west London, Edward has gone from a working as a teenage model for Pepe Jeans (!), to one of the world’s most in demand stylists. He’s styled countless commercials and catwalk shows, editorials with Italian, British and American Vogue and not to mention – of course – his role as the longest ever creative director of iconic fashion magazine i-D.

The path wasn’t easy for Edward.  His father had plans for his son to study law, so the news that Edward had decided to become a stylist wasn’t exactly met with open arms.  Luckily for Edward though, fortune came in the form of Terry Jones of i-D fame, who saw the spark of creative brilliance in the young 18-year-old and handed him the title of fashion editor at the magazine.  For the young lad from Ladbroke Grove it was certainly a culture shock; one minute he was styling shoots with his friends for fun and the next minute he found himself on a train bound for Paris to write the new season collection reports!

Success, of course, has its downside and Edward does confess that being away from home so many months a year and living in hotels can get him down, not to mention that being a stylist can be quite a lonely job.  Then again, he balances these downsides with the enviable fact that through his work he can “realise whatever’s on his mind,” something very few people in the world have the creative freedom to do.  For Edward, who has now “made it” in every sense, he is in the enviable position of being able to work exclusively with clients who inspire him, not to mention his soft spot for styling shows. “I always have a lot of fun at shows!”

For all budding stylists out there – and pretty much anyone in the creative industries for that matter -  hoping to one day attain the same success, Edward’s advice is simply, “Don’t give up.  It may take you ten years to make any money…but if you’re only in it to make money then you’re in the wrong career.”  As for developing one’s talents the answer is to, “Keep testing, testing, testing!  The more you style the better you get!”

Surprisingly for a man who has made his living styling pages of magazines, Edward is also a big advocate of the Internet.  “Everybody can be a star now,” he enthused quoting Andy Warhol. “The Internet allows more and more people to express their individuality.”  When quizzed whether or not he was happy about the Internet’s potential to replace magazines, he answered that, “everything that moves fashion on is great.” Wise words indeed!

Edward Enninful with FBC member and founder of Style News, Charlene Campbell

Edward has built a reputation for himself across the world as graceful and softly spoken with the ability to bring an air of elegance to anything he touches.  Listening to him speak it, becomes clear that his reputation is well deserved as he fielded questions from Michael and the audience.  He wasn’t even phased when FBC co-founder Alison Whelan, tongue firmly in cheek, asked him what his day rate was! “Ask my agent,” was his reply!

FBC board member Daisy de Villeneuve with stylist and fashion writer Marian Kihogo

So what of the man who has travelled across continents for photo shoots and worked in all of the world’s fashion capitals?  Isn’t he ever tempted to throw in the towel and leave our fair, albeit overcast, isle for the bright lights of the USA or the rolling sun drenched fields of Italy?  “London will always be home,” he confessed, “the things we learn about fashion in London can’t be learnt anywhere else, fashion is a real form of self-expression here.” Scanning a room full of FBC members, I’m inclined to say I agree!

Photos by: Venetia van Hoorn Alkema

FBC’s guest photographer Venetia van Hoorn Alkema snapped up in her studio

The latest addition to FBC’s long list of creative contributors is photographer Venetia van Hoorn Alkema. Venetia received her first photography tastings when her father gave her a Pentax for her 15th birthday. She honed her style in Paris at the Photographic Institute and went on to pursue a career in fashion photography. A background in Art History means she still loves shooting fine art and had her first solo exhibition in May of this year featuring images from this genre. Venetia also turns her hand to fashion styling, working on everything from music videos to car advertisements.

Venetia will be FBC’s guest photographer for the upcoming FBC event when globally renowned stylist and creative director of i-D Magazine, Edward Enninful will be interviewed by FBC member and creative director of Bally, Michael Herz.

“I am looking forward to shooting my first FBC event. FBC is quite possibly London’s most important fashion business platform. I admire and support FBC’s ethos of togetherness, and as a young fashion photographer, I am honoured that my talent has been both endorsed and recognised by Courtney and Alison, co-founders of FBC.”

FBC is delighted to welcome FBC member Daniella Steadman as the newest addition to the FBC Committee. Daniella is the executive producer of fashion and beauty for The Love Commercial Production Company and will be taking over the creative and technical role of FBCtv producer.

The Love Production Company is London’s leading fashion & beauty creative agency, representing an ever growing and highly-acclaimed talent base of international directors, photographers, interactive and digital content creators. Love works across all platforms and includes Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Puma, YSL amongst their roster of clients.

Daniella Steadman

Daniella will be leading a team in the making of FBC’s popular meeting interviews, which are aired on FBC’s media partner VOGUE.COM’s VOGUE TV. Co-founders Alison Whelan and Courtney Blackman will continue to serve as executive producers.

FBCtv established in March 2009 is a growing sub-company within FBC Limited and is committed to further promoting the unique qualities of FBC – namely bringing fashion professionals together to share ideas and information around inspirational speakers.

Alison will also still act as FBCtv director, saying, “FBCtv is delighted to be working with Love – further establishing our commitment to working with and promoting our members. FBC is growing fast – and from the look of Love’s client base, I’d say we were in good company – quite literally.‘

The Edward Enninful/Michael Herz meeting on Thursday the 29th of July will be Daniella’s first meeting in her new role. “The Love Commercial Production Company is delighted and most privileged to be collaborating with Fashion Business Club – a members’ club that has attracted some of the brightest, biggest, and most inspirational minds in business, fashion, and creativity.” Daniella Steadman

Welcome aboard, Daniella!

If you would like to get in touch with Daniella for your own film project, send her an email to: daniella@hellolove.tv

FBC would like to say a BIG thanks to Guy, James and Brendan of 3 Angry Men for all their great work at all previous FBC meetings.

For details about the Edward Enninful/Michael Herz meeting, contact: Rita for membership: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net or Penelope for press: press@fashionbusinessclub.net

A review and FBCtv’s edit of our last meeting which featured Matthew Williamson co-founder and CEO, Joseph Velosa interviewed by FBC member and editor of The Business of Fashion, Imran Amed is now available to watch exclusively on The Business of Fashion website.

Join us on Thursday the 29th of July at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ where one of the world’s most renowned stylists and creative director of i-D magazine, Edward Enniful will be interviewed by FBC member and newly appointed creative director of Bally, Michael Herz.

Membership Enquiries: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

Press Enquiries: press@fashionbusinessclub.net

Myka Volney served as FBC’s press director for just over a year and it was no surprise that she was snapped up by a big agency and quickly promoted. Myka came to FBC fresh from New York and bursting with ideas as to how to propel the club forward. She did an amazing job and we will miss her, but wish her all the best and look forward to seeing her at FBC meetings in a new capacity. Thank you, Myka!

Penelope Sacorafou

Stepping into Myka’s shoes is our brand new press director, Penelope Sacorafou. Penelope is an experienced PR, she writes for a slew of publications, is a digital whiz (seasoned blogger and social media specialist) and a fashion scout. She has lived in Cyprus, Greece, Edinburgh, Paris and London and is a meticulous observer of fashion and art. Penelope believes in togetherness and she has created her own an online platform called Fox & Squirrel for young creatives to showcase their work and exchange ideas – a rather ideal match for FBC.

“I’m a firm supporter of FBC and thrilled to be working with Courtney and Alison, and look forward to all future events and seeing the rest of you there!” Penelope Sacorafou

Penelope is already compiling press material for our next meeting on the 29^th of July where Edward Enninful will be interviewed by FBC member and creative director of Bally, Michael Herz.

Welcome, Penelope!

If you would like to say hello to Penelope, you can reach her at: penelope@fashionbusinessclub.net

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.

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