Fashion Business Club

Iggy Pop, Kings of Leon, The Doors, INXS…if you like your fashion with a heavy dose of rock ‘n’ roll then you’ll find Felder Felder hits all the right notes.

Daniela and Annette Felder

FBCers rocked down to the ICA for our latest meeting where German designers and sisters, Daniela and Annette Felder told how they were hooked on festivals from an early age. The twins became two leggy 5′11 models before turning their hands to design and bagging work placements with designers such as Robert Cary Williams.

Then what with London calling the sisters settled in our capital, both studying fashion at Central Saint Martins (by recommendation of their fashionable mother) before setting up the rock chic Felder Felder label upon graduation.

Their love of music has always had an influence on their designs and has been a hit with those in the spotlight. Gwyneth Paltrow is just one such fan who chose to wear Felder Felder on the red carpet.

Daisy de Villeneuve, Daniela Felder and Annette Felder

So who is the typical Felder Felder girl? “Someone who has different sides to her personality and who inspires us” they told renowned illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve who had the pleasure of interviewing the cool and entertaining designers.

The Crowd

FBCers were treated to a screening of images from the family archive and the SS09 range. Following questions from members the meeting drew to a close with a preview of the new Felder Felder collection for AW09. Think black, edgy dresses with cropped jackets and studded leather and start saving…or else get youself a job at Nobu because these girls are designing the new uniforms. Are you ready to order?

Sarah Hardy Editor

Photos by Dave Wise

After all the business talk at the May 28th Felder Felder / Daisy de Villeneuve FBC meeting you’ll no doubt want head to Camden for the FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE party.  FBC’s editor, and publisher & editor-in-chief, Sarah Hardy is hosting a bash to celebrate the launch of the magazine’s 3rd issue and would love to see all FBC members there. The magazine is now 100 pages long and is going national through Borders.  Well done, Sarah!
 
The party kicks off with a drinks reception at 7:30pm and will be held at the The Monarch, with four live bands (Sha La Las, 12 Dirty Bullets, The Delanies, and a surprise mystery band – Indie, of course), and two DJ sets (The Third Man and Princesses Des Pommes).
 
The entry fee is £3 and that bags you a copy of FMS, where mini style maven Little Boots graces the cover, including a 16-track CD. Nice.
 
Here’s the official invite:
 

The Monarch 40-42 Chalk Farm Rd, Camden NW1 8BG 

7:30pm – 1:00am

If you would like the invite emailed to you, send a note to the FMS team: info@fashionmusicstyle.com  

See you there!
 
Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman 

“What was that petal?” They’ll be a room in bloom at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) on Thursday 28th May, when FBCers sit back and listen to board member Daisy de Villeneuve interview cult fashion label FELDER FELDER.

Twin sisters, Daniela and Annette launched their womenswear line whilst studying at Central St Martins and were selected by Gen Art to showcase their collection during New York Fashion Week following their graduation in 2006.

Daniela & Annette Felder

Now in its fourth season, FELDER FELDER has a choice bouquet of followers such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Grace Jones. Iconic Patti Wilson styled their first show, Steven Miesel is a fan and the brand has been snapped up by top London buyers, including Browns Focus.

Join us as renowned designer, illustrator and author, Daisy, picks the brains behind FELDER FELDER and we learn of the struggles, challenges and success of a label that is fast becoming one of London’s favourite blooms. Think nectar, because this meeting is going to be sweet.

Limited guest places are available for a one-off fee of £40. All attendees must have at least two years professional experience in the fashion industry and submit a request to attend by emailing: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

THE Time: 3pm-4:30pm, Thursday 28th May

THE Place: ICA, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH

Sarah Hardy Editor

“I think FBC may have struck gold.  Alexandra Shulman and Dolly Jones, two Vogue editors in the same room, talking exclusively about the challenges and opportunities of print and digital publishing immediately after the A/W09 collections and during a world recession?  Whatever else is happening in the fashion industry on 26th March at 3pm, this meeting should not be missed,” says FBC’s Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Alison Whelan

That’s right, next Thursday FBC has secured a talk that will go down in networking club history.  Alexandra Shulman, editor of Vogue, will be interviewed by Dolly Jones, FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com at One Alfred Place.  “Having two of the industry’s most powerful players in the media sector, is going to be explosive,” says Courtney Blackman, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman

Alexandra Shulman

Alexandra has been the editor of British Vogue since April of 1992 and under her guardianship, Vogue’s readership has risen to over a million.  Her many other achievements include being named Editors’ Editor of the Year in 2004 by the British Society of Magazine Editors, awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to the magazine industry, and being named Womans Magazine Editor of the Year 2008.

The more Vogue bit?  Vogue.com’s fashion features editor, Jessica Bumpus will be photographing members for the website’s Street Chic section, so all members should ‘Strike a pose, Vogue! Vogue!’

See you next week!

Sarah Hardy Editor

“A non-busy man is a dull man,” said Harold Tillman, “and I’m being inspired by everything I do, all of the time…I just hope that I can impart some of my experience on others.”

Harold Tillman is indeed a busy man…and has been for sometime. He first made his mark in the swinging sixties after joining a menswear supplier on Great Portland Street. He persuaded his employer to allow him to produce a collection of ‘Beatle’ jackets and hipster trousers in strong plaid checks that they took to Carnaby Street. This grew to become the largest part of the business and ultimately Harold ended up owning the company.

2009 sees 25 years of London Fashion Week, 25 years of the British Fashion Council and 125 years of Jaeger. “I’m sort of in between those ages,” declared Harold, owner of Jaeger and chairman of the BFC.

Harold Tillman and Lauretta Roberts

Harold, interviewed by FBC member and Drapers editor, Lauretta Roberts at One Alfred Place, spoke of his inspiration for the fashion business, his involvement with the British Fashion Council, “I want to create an interest for designers to show in London,” and answered questions from the floor.

“Can I phone a friend?” He answered with a smile when asked what price you can put on quality in the current economic climate. Although he did go on to say that it depends on one’s walk of life, “If you love it, you’ll pay anything for it.”

“I have a business today that can sustain this recession. Its a strong brand but its not a huge business,” said Harold, “it’s not the end of the world. I’m sure all of us who leave here today will go and do what we would of done six months ago.”

Lauretta Roberts and Harold Tillman with Co-Founders, Courtney Blackman and Alison Whelan

If you missed out on the FBC meeting with Harold then fear not, and keep your eyes peeled. We’ll be soon be posting a video of the interview, so watch this space!

Sarah Hardy Editor

Photographs by Dave Wise

Our next meeting is sure to be a squeeze as we kick off 2009 with the man who puts the F and the B into Fashion Business Club. Pencil Thursday 29th January into your diaries as you’ll not want to miss Lauretta Roberts, FBC member and editor of Drapers, interviewing chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman.

Harold Tillman

Harold accepted the chairman role at the BFC in September 2008 following an extensive career in fashion retail. From Lincroft Clothing and Austin Reed to Baird Menswear, Harold went on to acquire both Jaeger and Allders. So if there are any brains to be picked in this industry then we definitely have the right man in the hot seat.

His passion for helping future fashion generations inspired Harold to set up his own scholarship at the London College of Fashion and 2009 will see him participating in a BFC initiative to highlight the importance of the fashion industry in the British economy, marking the council’s 25th anniversary. His future plans also include the launch of the UK’s largest fund for designers in 2010.

FBC meetings are for members only but you can apply for membership by downloading an application form from the HOW page on the FBC website: http://www.fashionbusinessclub.net

A limited number of guests may attend for a one-off fee of £20. All attendees must have a minimum of 2 years professional experience in the fashion industry. Please submit a request to attend to: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

For more information please email: info@fashionbusinessclub.net

** Any relevant press who wish to attend should contact: press@fashionbusinessclub.net

See you there!

Sarah Hardy Editor

What’s the sketch with Michael Herz? Our board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones, interviewed the head of womenswear design for luxury British heritage brand, Aquascutum, to find out just that.

Dolly Jones and Michael Herz

The designer with a flair for “fancy drawings” trained in womenswear before undertaking a course in menswear at the Royal College of Art. His motive for diversification? To avoid “cheating” his way through his degree with his knack for illustration. “I knew if I did menswear then I’d be forced to learn.”

“I remember being aged 14, sat in the garden with my mum and telling her that I wanted to go and live in Italy and Paris” he said, and so it was. Michael’s aim was never to create his own label or indeed go to work for the high street…because that would be “a job”. His dreams had wings and a foreign tongue, and so he found himself settled in a cosy Italian bubble working for designer brand, Iceberg. That was until Marc Jacobs came on the scene and shook things up. Working alongside Marc reminded him of the bigger picture and Michael soon got the urge to move on.

Following employment with Daniel Hechter (a great learning curve), Michael was headhunted by Alber Elbaz to assist him at Guy Laroche in Paris. Both positions set him in great stead for his return to London where he took the helm for womenswear at Aquascutum.

Michael feels priviliged to be in a job where he can do whatever he wants to be inspired, and declared that if he did have his own collection then it wouldn’t be too different to what he’s doing now…well maybe not as many coats. How does he follow-up on his recent ‘blue’ collection? Dolly asked. “By working in the dark” he replied. Yes, literally. The team turned off all the lights and walked around the studio with head lamps focusing on textures for next season. Hmm, a day in the life…

Dolly and Michael in the centre with FBC co-founders & co-chairs, Alison Whelan and Courtney Blackman

Michael is now a member of FBC and if you have at least two years experience in the fashion industry then you can join too.  2009 speakers include Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council; Alexandra Shulman, editor of Vogue; the Felder Felder duo, Kinarva Balfour, senior international editor of Daily Candy; and Diane von Furstenberg’s right-hand man and fashion designer, Nathan Jenden.

For information about membership, send an email to: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net

 

Sarah Hardy Editor

Photos by Fabrice Lachant

On Monday night top representatives from the fashion and music industries flocked to Soho’s Punk to celebrate the launch of FBC member, Sarah Hardy’s new magazine, FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE, where she sits as the publisher and editor-in-chief.

Sarah Hardy

FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE is a bimonthly publication that promotes, reviews and inspires new talent in the fashion and music industries. The mission is to shine a spotlight on amazing talent and get unsigned bands heard.  Sarah’s unrivalled passion for Indie music and her decade-plus experience in fashion as both a designer and editor will no doubt see FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE taking centre stage as one of London’s coolest new magazines.  

Ample cider was passed around, courtesy of Kingstone Press Cider, and gorgeous men from The Models Portal ticked off names at the door.  Lots of FBC members looking very fashionable, were there to congratulate Sarah on her success.  Rita Nazareno was there toting one of her company, S.C. Vizcarra’s beautiful handbags; fashion designer, Diana Risso-Gill gave a us a saucy wink; fashion editor, Karolina Kivimaki donned the best rock ‘n’ roll chic; and we had a good chat with lovely fashion designers Sabina Ali and Kate Tailyour.

 

Rita Nazareno, Diana Risso-Gill and Karolina Kivimaki

Sabina Ali and Kate Tailyour

Well done, Sarah.  FBC is very happy for you and all your hard work!  We just hope you’ll be fully recovered by Thursday to record the minutes at our meeting.

FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE will be available for purchase from shops and online from 15 December 2008.

 

Courtney Blackman Vice Chairman & Co-Founder

London’s fabulous sketch will once again be hosting FBC for our next meeting on the 27^th. FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones, will interview our guest speaker, Michael Herz, head of womenswear design at Aquascutum.

Michael spent time working with Marc Jacobs at Iceberg, and with Alber Elbaz at Guy Laroche as chief designer on the brand’s diffusion range, before joining the luxury British heritage label. We’ll hear about his role at Aquascutum, including his management of a team of designers and assistants, as well as his development of the creative brand concept, and his work on ‘The Collection’, ‘Aquascutum London’ and ‘Aquascutum Vintage’.

Michael Herz

The talk will be followed by business networking. This meeting is for FBC members. If you are interested in attending, you can apply for membership by downloading the application form from the ‘HOW’ page on the FBC website. Or you may attend as a guest for a one-off fee of £20, but must have at least 2 years of professional experience in the fashion industry. Requests for attendance can be sent to: hello@fashionbusinessclub.net

Members, don’t forget to RSVP: rsvp@fashionbusinessclub.net

See you soon!

Sarah Hardy Editor

 

FBC members were busy last week setting up for, and executing major fashion events.  First up was a tribute to Bill Gibb at the Fashion and Textile Museum.  The old guard was out in hoards to relive the 70’s fashion icon’s fantastic gowns, stunning knitwear and sleek leather suits.  I ran into former model, Jan de Villeneuve and she talked me through the mini collection of knit pieces that she had lent to the museum for the exhibition.

Alison Lewy

FBC member and commercial director of the Fashion and Textile Museum, Alison Lewy looked stunning in a Bill Gibb creation, clutching the new book by Iain R. Webb: Bill Gibb: Fashion and Fantasy.

Iain R. Webb

The author himself was tucked away in a side room for the entirety of the event, signing books for old and new fans.

Daisy de Villeneuve, Anouchka Grose and guest

Next stop was The House of Masquerade, a collaborative event with Absolut Vodka and FBC board member, Daisy de Villeneuve.  A two-floor gallery in Shoreditch was transformed into a giant dressing-up box, decorated by our Daisy.  Her trademark, edgy pen drawings graced the walls, windows, and a few bits of furniture, and rails of vintage clothing and shelves of hats, scarves and masques were there courtesy of Covent Garden shop, Mint. 

James Harvey and William Jukes

Partygoers, including William Jukes and James Harvey from Pernod Ricard UK, the team from Elle Decoration, fashion blogger, Disneyrollergirl, and a man named Chihuahua, were treated to an extensive menu of vodka-based drinks and given full reign to try on anything in the shop, wear it around the party and take photos. 

Courtney Blackman and Sarah Hardy: Before

FBC editor and publisher and editor-in-chief of FASHION.MUSIC.STYLE, Sarah Hardy was there covering the event and here we are photographed on the lip sofa pre-dress up, and again in our vintage wares.

Courtney Blackman and Sarah Hardy: After

If you want to check out the shop, the 27th of October is the last day:  68-72 Redchurch Street, EC2.

 

Courtney Blackman Vice Chairman & Co-Founder