Fashion Business Club

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

Marigay McKee in Roland Mouret with Dolly Jones in Roksanda for Whistles

Thursday 25th March 2010 marked another successful Fashion Business Club meeting at the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ Concept Store and Café. Interviewed by FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones, the fashion and beauty director at Harrods, Marigay McKee is the cake and the cherry on top where all things fashion and business are concerned.

FBC co-founder Alison Whelan chatting with Harrods’ Jason Broderick

Her great eye and style is the reason so many Londoners look as good as they do and her well-groomed appearance is representative of “looking the part”. This meeting in particular was a great inspiration as Marigay is a successful businesswoman, a mum AND a true believer in treating others fairly.

FBC member Helen Clinch of HEMYCA with FBC photographer, Dave Wise

Taking the time to communicate and share is rewarding and garners further commitment from staff. “Positive karma brings a positive attitude. Charm and charisma is the most underused weapon in business today.” Sound like fashion’s answer to Mother Teresa? Maybe, but this saint works hard and plays hard.

FBCers: creative consultant Sim Scavazza with journalist, stylist & consultant, Navaz Batliwalla

She took us on a historical journey and brought to our attention the evolution of shopping in department stores. We have gone from the 80’s being a decade where each store was like a school, the shop staff were the teachers and the shoppers the students. Then in the 90’s we all liked being pampered. Personal shopping became the new craze and department stores were like hospitals. The personal shopper/stylists were the doctors and we were the patients. This side of the millennium it has been taken to another level. The department store community has now become the most important place of all, home.

FBC members Nana Aganovich and Brooke Taylor of Aganovich giving a quick sound bite for FBCtv to co-founder, Courtney Blackman

Marigay let us in to a little secret on what’s hot for next season. Look out for the return of the trouser suit, glamorous dresses and smaller bags for women. Menswear continues with the schoolboy look and has some influences of shabby chic. You heard it at FBC first.

How does she do it all? Truth be told, she has a small army of great friends, staff, a loving family and an agency sent from above called ‘Beck & Call.’

The next Fashion Business Club meeting is scheduled for 27th May 2010 at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZEDâ„¢ where Joseph Velosa, CEO of Matthew Williamson will be interviewed by FBC member and editor of the Business of Fashion, Imran Amed.

For information on membership, contact Rita Nazareno: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

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!

Lauretta Roberts (in Jaeger) and Harold Tillman

The two-day Fashion Summit 2009, chaired by FBC member Lauretta Roberts, happens on the 17th and 18th of November, and a VIP reception, held at Taman Gang has officially kicked it off!  A whole host of FBCers dressed up to help Lauretta celebrate what will be the biggest event in fashion this year!

Rebekah Roy, Keely Stocker, Frances Card, Antony Hawman, Bunty Stokes

FBC member and chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman was there along with FBC members Rebekah Roy (fashion stylist); Frances Card, MD of FCC and Drapers blogger; and Bunty Stokes, country sales manager for Vente Privee…who got photographed with Drapers’s Keely Stocker and my-wardrobe’s Antony Hawman.

Chris Davidson and Lee Lapthorne

FBC’s Lee Lapthorne, Director of On|Off came along with Chris Davidson, and FBC member and head of consumer PR for EdenCancan, Jonathan Kirkby was there with Nick Ede.

Nick Ede and Jonathan Kirkby

FBC members and co-Directors of Vauxhall Fashion Scout, John Walford and Martyn Roberts got photographed with fashion designer, Anne Tyrrell upon arrival.

John Walford, Anne Tyrrell, Martyn Roberts

FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones wasn’t able to come along, but we got three Vogue.com ladies in her absence: Jessica Bumpus, Lauren Milligan and Julia Neel.

Jessica Bumpus, Lauren Milligan and Julia Neel

Who’s the odd one out?  It’s Aquascutum’s head of menswear, Graeme Fidler.  He’s the only non-FBC member in the photograph below with Aquascutum’s head of womenswear, Michael Herz, and Gabriella Piccinni, international business director for Diane von Furstenberg.  Come on, Graeme, join the club already!

Courtney Blackman, Michael Herz, Gabriella Piccinni, Graeme Fidler

FBC member and founder & creative director of Fred&Ginger, Victoria Holt, popped along with Jenny Packham (she was Jenny’s senior fashion designer before founding Fred&Ginger).

Victoria Holt

We had our own FBC corner, where William Tempest snuck in as an honourary member for the evening and chatted all things FBC with stylist, journalist and consultant, Navaz Batliwalla; VFS’s Martyn Roberts; fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy, FBC board member, designer, illustrator and author, Daisy de Villeneuve and me.

Navaz Batliwalla, Martyn Roberts, William Tempest, Rebekah Roy, Daisy de Villeneuve, Courtney Blackman

The party was a huge success and at one point was so crowded, you couldn’t really move!  Congratulations, Lauretta!

Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman

Photographs by Christopher Dadey

It’s not hard to spot an FBC member (or several) on a daily basis at Fashion Week, so here’s what everyone was up to this season:

On day one I ran into two FBC members at 180 The Strand, who both happen to be fashion stylists, Anne Look and Francesca Marotta.  180 The Strand was home to On|Off, run by FBC member, Lee Lapthorne.

Over at Vauxhall Fashion Scout (VFS), run by FBC members John Walford and Martyn Roberts, FBC member and fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy started the week by styling one of seven shows and presentations.

FBC member and MD of Felicities, Alison Lowe (right) was back and forth from VFS to On|Off, where her clients were showing.

FBC’s membership director, and handbag designer, Rita Nazareno of S.C. Vizcarra was spotted pre-show at VFS with FBC’s administrative assistant, Laura McCluskey; and I saw the following FBC members in no particular order either at the BFC tent or On|Off:

Hatty Stevens, MD of Harriet Maria Creative Consultancy and Jimmy Ho, world domination visionaire

Angelika Huwiler – newly employed at Prada and FBC’s press director, Myka Volney

CEO of koodos.com, Miriam Lahage and Alison Lewy, commercial director of the Fashion and Textile Museum

Hannah Weimers, senior consultant at Angle Plc. and Navaz Batliwalla, freelance stylist, writer and consultant

Lauretta Roberts digital development director of WGSN and chairman of the Fashion Summit 2009 (right, with Drapers editor Jessica Price-Brown and commissioning editor Ana Santi)

FBC members Harold Tillman, Alexandra Shulman and Dolly Jones were spotted on lots of front rows, FBC member and MD of FCC, Frances Card was everywhere, and FBC member, fashion stylist and journalist, Gretchen Owen was at FBC members’ Daniela and Annette Felder of Felder Felder’s catwalk show, along with FBC board member, designer/illustrator/author, Daisy de Villeneuve.

FBC’s fashion designers didn’t disappoint. Bryce d’Anice Aime did a catwalk show, Michael Herz, on behalf of Aquascutum, did a presentation, and Nathan Jenden did a show just two days before his big FBC interview.

Victoria Holt, FBC member and founder & creative director of lingerie label, Fred&Ginger exhibited at Somerset House.  Apparently they were not supposed to have show cards in the Lingerie Boudoir, so here she is committing an illegal maneuvre with her Vogue card.

Surprise, it’s FBC committee member and fashion designer, Regine Mowill!

See you all on the 26th of November where Browns buying director, Erin Mullaney and fashion designer, Jonathan Saunders, will be interviewed by FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones.

Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman

From the buzz of London Fashion Week’s Somerset House to the relative calm of Belgravia’s Il Bottaccio, the fash pack decamped to FBC on Thursday 24^th September. Aquascutum’s head of womenswear, Michael Herz interviewed guest speaker Nathan Jenden – creative director of Diane von Furstenberg and his own label – about the challenges of designing for two labels, the attitude of the runway and the merits of London vs New York and Paris.

Nathan Jenden & Michael Herz

Born in London, Jenden studied at Central St Martins and the RCA and worked for John Galliano and Kenzo in Paris where he found the formal codes of French fashion didn’t quite resonate with his own less-strict ways of doing things.

Setting his sights on New York, he was offered jobs by Richard Tyler and Tommy Hilfiger before working for downtown designer Daryl K in 1998. Three years later an opportunity arose to work for Diane von Furstenberg whose 70s wrap dresses were starting to regain cult status. Jenden’s first introduction to the Belgian socialite happened at a Vanity Fair dinner. Finding himself at a table breaking bread with Debbie Harry, Mick Jagger and Harrison Ford, he decided this was to be his future (well you would, wouldn’t you?). In his first season as creative director, he brought models-of-the-moment Erin O’Connor, Alek Wek and Devon Aoki to add some much-needed edge to the DVF runway.

Nathan Jenden

Despite his close relationship with von Furstenberg (“she’s my friend and I will always be hers”), Jenden decided he needed to tell his own story and create a collection under his own name. In 2006 he launched his label, which is now a permanent fixture on the London Fashion Week show schedule, while he continues in his role at DVF. It’s a juggling act of the highest order as DVF is based in New York while Nathan Jenden is designed in London. Why not produce both collections in New York? Jenden acknowledges the difficulties but maintains the importance of keeping both labels separate. “I did my first two shows in New York and it was just crazy. Its important, the separation of the two brands. They have nothing to do with each other.”

Nathan Jenden & Michael Herz (centre) with FBC Co-Founders Alison Whelan & Courtney Blackman

Quentions from the floor brought up the subject of the recent popularity of static presentations and fashion films to promote new collections. Jenden is a firm fan of the fashion show format. “I have a vision of what I want the show to be – the attitude, the mood. The show is the show, the fairy dust on top of the collection. It should be fun, it should be upbeat. People are finding different ways to do fashion shows, doing films, doing it online, but I think watching twenty fit girls will always be better than watching it on a phone.”

Navaz Batliwalla FBC Member & Guest Editor

Photos by Dave Wise of Dave Wise Photography

FBC member Navaz Batliwalla is going to be our guest editor for our post-London Fashion Week meeting on the 24^th of September.  Navaz has been perfecting her craft for over 15 years as a freelance fashion journalist, stylist and trend consultant having worked for Caroline Baker; as fashion editor for CosmoGIRL!, Sugar and Grazia India; styling for Tank, Oyster, Sunday Times Style, Guardian Weekend, and ASOS; and consulting for Oasis and Toni &Guy.  A very busy lady.

Read more on Drapers.

FBC member, freelance fashion editor and creative consultant, Navaz Batliwalla has been lending her skills to high street fashion brand, Oasis. She has recently created and illustrated the phrases that have appeared in Oasis’ in-store displays and shop windows nationwide as well as their Autumn/Winter look book.

 

Leon Bailey-Green, Miriam Lahage and Nicky Hambleton-Jones

Back in April The Independent published the Online Fashion 100, compiled by online fashion retail consultant, Leon Bailey Green.  The list featured a handful of FBC members, and last Wednesday evening a celebration took place where the 2009 Online Fashion Star was announced.  FBC member and CEO of online retailer, koodos.com, Miriam Lahage took the prize.

Navaz Batliwalla

Frances Card with Antony Hawman of Drapers

Other FBC members in attendance included freelance fashion stylist, journalist and consultant, Navaz Batliwalla; fashion consultant, Frances Card, fashion stylist and blogger, Rebekah Roy; Felicities managing director, Alison Lowe; and Drapers editor, Lauretta Roberts.

Lauretta Roberts

The event was sponsored by Fashshot.com, and Nicky Hambleton-Jones announced Miriam’s victory.  Well done, Miriam!

Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman