Drapers
30 June 2007
View all stories from this issue.
-
Age shall not wither her trendiness
Whether a trend is right or wrong for a woman in her fifties is all in the mind, says Rebecca Furbank -
Animal Liberation
Despite the rise of ethical fashion, animal welfare is still low on the industry's agenda. But some firms are trying to change that, as Lucia Cockcroft discovers -
Aspecto teams up with Adidas to unveil Y-3 brand in Manchester
Young fashion independent Aspecto is opening a concept store at the Triangle mall in Manchester, in a collaboration that will create the first UK store for Adidas designer brand Y-3. -
Basics are going cheap at Peacocks
Value chain Peacocks is slashing the price of its basics range as part of a raft of strategies announced last week, which include rolling out its organic cotton line into menswear and kidswear. -
Baugur eyes Envy as sale approaches
Icelandic investor Baugur has run its ruler over Alexon's young fashion chain Envy, after it received a prospectus on the business earlier this month. -
BFC picks designers for New Generation funding
Central Saint Martins graduates Danielle Scutt and Louise Goldin will receive New Generation catwalk sponsorship for the first time this season, the British Fashion Council announced this week. Duro Olowu, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Gareth Pugh, Todd Lynn and Marios Schwab will also receive sponsorship. For more on New Generation, see page 10. -
Bronx and Reflexe clash in Italy
Footwear brand Bronx and Italian sample manufacturer Reflexe clashed last week at Italian footwear fair Expo Riva Schuh in Garda, resulting in the seizure of Bronx's sample range. -
Buyers must build ethical costs into FOB
Retailers must build compliance costs into the Free On Board (FOB) price of garments if they are committed to ethical trading, delegates at the Drapers Global Sourcing Summit were told this week. -
California's Bobi targets UK and Ireland for spring
Bobi, the California-based womenswear brand, is launching in the UK and Republic of Ireland for spring 08. Its collection features tops, tunics and dresses in luxury jersey, ribbed cotton and modal thermal fabrics. Wholesale prices range from £6 for a vest, £8 for a top and £23 for a dress. Bobi has appointed JBA and Macleod Agencies as agents for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. -
Clarks to pep up profits with overseas push
Clarks is to embark on an international roll-out to help stem falling UK profits, according to reports. The group is planning a 450-store global assault over the next 10 years, and aims to have as many shops abroad as it does in the UK. The initial push will be in Europe, in what is believed to be a franchise-led strategy. This will be followed by a US push, where Clarks currently has 210 stores. -
Drapers Share Monitor - Ashley moves to oust Blacks' board
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley this week heightened controversy surrounding the company by threatening to call an EGM to oust the board of Blacks Leisure. -
Eco-trousers and £3 tops at M&S
Marks & Spencer has unveiled two fashion firsts this week, with its lowest-priced clothing line and trousers made from recycled plastic bottles. -
Expert advice is right on the money
A training course works wonders for Michael Ashison's staff while he picks up tricks from the TV -
Footwear pair kick off Bukta's relaunch
Heritage sportswear brand Bukta is relaunching under the charge of Simon Dickie, managing director of footwear brand Pod, and footwear agent Steven Price Brown. The duo have acquired the Bukta UK distribution licence as part of a global deal and will showcase the new-look product at Bread & Butter in Barcelona next week. Bukta, which was founded in 1879, is relaunching with the 80-SKU collection, split into two ranges. One will incorporate archive styles, while the other will feature 1970s- a -
Gant revives Ivy League style for spring 08 range
US lifestyle brand Gant is launching a heritage-inspired range for spring 08. The look, called Bold Varsity, is part of the brand's GNH collection, and is inspired by Ivy League university styles. It targets younger, more fashionable shoppers aged 20-plus and includes hoodies, sweats and knits, providing a more layered look. Styling is fitted, and many garments feature surface detail. The collection launches on July 9, with wholesale prices at £28 for shirts, £32 for hoodies and £35 to £37 fo -
Gap hunts for stores in portfolio review
Gap is understood to be scouting for new store locations in the UK as part of its portfolio review. The US retailer aims to dispose of some secondary locations and underperforming stores. However, property sources said new units in more prime locations were also being sought. Gap has about 170 stores in the UK. -
Gisele adds face value to Vero Moda's ads
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen has been named the new face of Danish brand Vero Moda. The model will front the autumn 07 marketing campaign, which launches on August 1 and will feature in stores and on branding. The tie-up is expected to last for at least a year. Bundchen will also be the face of the next issue of Vero Moda's magazine. The label is owned by Bestseller, whose other brands include womenswear label Vila and denim brand Jack & Jones. Bestseller's brand portfolio is sold thr -
In the Company of Men
Representatives from four menswear brands assess the mood at Pitti Uomo -
Indies stay away as brands play it safe on trends at Pitti
UK independents were thin on the ground at menswear show Pitti Uomo in Florence this week, with most brands relying on safe looks from last summer. -
Innovative theme for underwear forum
Fashionability and function is the theme of this year's Body, Beach & Legwear Innovation Forum at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dusseldorf on July 21. The event takes place on the eve of the Body Look lingerie and beachwear show in the city, which runs from July 22-24. The forum will look at how new fabrics and materials are allowing manufacturers to create more functional lingerie and trendier underwear. -
Internacionale adds to management team
Women's young fashion chain Internaaionale has named Sue Scanlan as managing director. Scanlan was previously in an interim role at Primark and will take up the role in August. Internaaionale has also appointed Peter Whittle to its retail operations team on an interim basis. He previously handled regional operations for the north at River Island. -
It takes different folks to rule the world
There has been a very depressing debate over the past week in one of the comment threads on drapersblog.com. It centres on the issue of what independent retailers are doing to steady and even grow their businesses in the face of increased competition and increased rent and interest rates. -
Japanese group leads Chester Barrie bid war
Japanese firm Itochu is the favourite to snap up Savile Row tailor Chester Barrie, as owner SRG tries to offload the brand. -
John Lewis appoints Ruis as fashion boss in buying rejig
John Lewis head of menswear Peter Ruis has been given the new overarching role of buying director for fashion, as part of a major buying restructure. -
Joules plans spring capsule range
Multi-channel retailer Joules will launch a capsule range for spring, after its mail-order arm grew nearly 400% in the past year. -
Kurt Geiger boss named as one to watch
Kurt Geiger creative and board director Rebecca Farrar-Hockley has been named as one of the top young British businesswomen to watch by Management Today. Farrar-Hockley featured in the magazine's Top 35 Women Under 35, compiled with the help of established British businesswomen, bankers, headhunters and academics. -
Little Drama Queen grows up with new agents
Dutch babywear brand Little Drama Queen has recruited two new agents to distribute the range in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Scullion Agencies in Dublin and Chris Prowse-Smith from Heavenly Kids in Preston, Lancashire, will sell the range in Ireland and the UK's north-west respectively. Another UK agent will be appointed later this year. -
London Fashion Week clarification
This year's Exhibition at London Fashion Week runs from September 16-19, and not as stated in the May 26 issue of Drapers. London Fashion Week runs from September 15-20. -
Long Tall Sally drafts in new MD
Niche retailer Long Tall Sally is drafting in home shopping expert Andrew Shapin as its managing director, as part of plans to grow its home shopping business. -
Mall Talk
Developers are trying to tempt more independents into taking space within their shopping centres. Marino Donati asks what steps a retailer needs to consider before taking the plunge -
Mothercare Direct boss journeys to Lands' End
Tim Curtis, head of Mothercare's online division Mothercare Direct, will join multi-channel retailer Lands' End as UK managing director. He will start his new role in September to replace Jason Feist, who is returning to the US. Andrew Doe, formerly at holiday group Thomas Cook, will replace Curtis at Mothercare on an interim basis. -
Mulberry to focus on overseas expansion
Mulberry is to halt its UK expansion after 2008 to target international markets and new product categories. -
New generation in the spotlight
As London Fashion Week looms on the horizon, we look at the young UK design talents who have been highlighted as the ones to watch -
New logo for Triumph debuts at Madrid store
Lingerie manufacturer and supplier Triumph has unveiled a new logo in its Madrid store this month. The logo will be rolled out globally from January 2008 and will feature in the brand's advertising campaign for spring 08. -
Nylon Hosiery appoints creative specialist
UK hosiery supplier Nylon Hosiery has recruited Garry Chambers as creative development specialist. He will lead the relaunch of the firm's Pamela Mann brand, which will include a revamped logo and press campaign, plus a website and online image library. Chambers was previously a freelance graphic designer. -
Old Faithfuls
Buyers had their work cut out looking for new directions in Florence, with many Italian heavyweights presenting an almost identikit roll-call of spring 07 trends -
Pretty in Pinko
Italian designer womenswear brand Pinko is mounting a fresh push in the UK with a second standalone store. Founder and president Pietro Negra tells Lauretta Roberts why his outlook is rosy -
Revamp kicks off at Hoopers' Carlisle store
Department store group Hoopers has kicked off a major overhaul at its Carlisle store, involving a six-figure investment and including the menswear department. -
Russian malls target UK retailers
John Lewis is among several UK retailers understood to be in talks with Ikea to open shops in Russia, as part of the furniture giant's plan to expand its Mega Mall shopping centre concept. -
Sales soar 22% at Jaeger as portfolio grows
Upmarket womenswear retailer Jaeger has posted sales of £70.6 million for the year to February 28, up 22% from £58.1m last year. Chief executive Belinda Earl said the company's broadening offer and expanding portfolio helped to boost sales. The company has 137 doors in the UK and Europe and plans to expand in the US with an exclusive women's line for Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. -
Shepherdson considers Oxfam advisory role
Oxfam has confirmed it is in talks with former Topshop brand director Jane Shepherdson about a voluntary advisory role to help shape the charity's retail strategy. Her role will be finalised in the next couple of months. -
Sinking feeling for retailers as flooding wipes out sales
Retailers in flood-hit parts of the UK are expecting a severe downturn in sales, with heavy rain set to continue into next week and losses predicted to run into millions of pounds. -
Store openings as Henri-Lloyd expands
Henri-Lloyd is to open four new shop-in-shops in House of Fraser in August. The shop-in-shops will launch at HoF's Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Gateshead MetroCentre stores. The move follows trials at its London Oxford Street store and Dublin department store Arnotts, as well as a tie-up with young fashion retailer Scotts in Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre. -
Stores discover there's something about Mary
Four struggling independents featured on BBC2 TV series Mary Queen of Shops have seen their sales soar as a result of changes put in place by Mary Portas, who fronts the show. -
Strong retail figures boost Gerry Weber sales
Sales at German womenswear brand Gerry Weber were up 12.5% in the six months to the end of April, rising to EUR236.7 million (£159.3m) compared with EUR210.4m (£141m) for the same period last year. Gerry Weber's retail arm posted the strongest sales rise, at 49.5%. The business plans to open 70 new Gerry Weber stores this financial year. -
The Drapers Fashion Fix Poll
Every week we ask Drapersblog.com readers their opinion on the question of the week. -
Their master's voice
Good public relations is invaluable for publicising a brand or retailer's message. Lucia Cockroft looks at how to choose PR that will more than pay for itself -
TM Lewin asserts its feminine side with new flagship and standalone
Classic shirtmaker TM Lewin is upping its focus on womenswear with the opening of a new-look 3,000 sq ft flagship that will be geared more towards female customers. -
Two new directors for George at Asda
George at Asda head of buying Sarah Bradley and head of sourcing Jon Wragg have been promoted to directors. Bradley and Wragg will take up their roles of buying director and global sourcing and development director respectively with immediate effect, reporting to brand director Fiona Lambert and managing director Angela Spindler. -
Undress to impress
Sian Thomas left Marks & Spencer to join lingerie brand Madame V as creative director. She has developed the Brazilian label by upping its fashion credentials and focusing on underwear as outerwear. As a former senior lingerie designer at M&S she is a huge fan of its chief executive Stuart Rose, crediting him with teaching her about the value of communication across the supply chain. -
Womenswear debut for sport-luxe label Zilli
French sport-luxe menswear brand Zilli will launch its first womenswear range for autumn 07. Prices for the collection start from £1,750 for a silk jacket. It will be available in Zilli boutiques in 35 countries from September, including the brand's UK shop on London's New Bond Street. -
Wondermummy gives birth to wholesale offer
Maternitywear etailer Wondermummy has launched a wholesale range for retailers featuring a selection of its best-selling own label styles. The collection, aimed at UK and Republic of Ireland retailers, is available throughout the year on a short-order basis. Extra pieces will be added to the range at the start of each season. Wondermummy's offer ranges from tops and trousers to swimwear and nightwear.
