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Khabi Mirza
As fashion and features editor at Drapers, Khabi manages two frenetic editorial desks. From international catwalk reports and trends analysis to in-depth interviews and retail intelligence both teams are committed to keeping Drapers readers ahead of the game with engaging business critical information.
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Mitchell Jacobs
18 July 2009
A bespoke suit at the age of 10 gave Penrose London’s flamboyant founder a taste for fashion, he tells Khabi Mirza -
Bread & Butter Berlin throws open its doors
1 July 2009
Young fashion fair Bread & Butter threw open the doors to its Tempelhof Airport location in Berlin this morning and while the first-morning crowds were somewhat lacking, exhibitors and buyers were confident the show would be a more business-like success. -
Pitti Uomo
27 June 2009
Visitor numbers were down, some big name exhibitors were absent, and the trading mood was subdued, but there was plenty of innovation on the product front at Pitti Uomo. -
Season's Preview Spring 10
20 June 2009
The spring 10 collections mark the first season to have been designed and developed with all corners of the globe in the grip of our latest recession. -
Peak Performance
13 June 2009
Traditionally worn by skiers and golfers, the Swedish brand hopes to steer a course into casualwear -
High street preview: autumn 09 menswear
6 June 2009
For autumn the big menswear chains have looked to wholesale brands for inspiration, carving up the market by age and using the most commercially significant brands in each age segment as a design blueprint. -
Basler launches premium range
6 June 2009
Mainstream German womenswear brand Basler will introduce a premium collection for spring 10 to help expand its customer base. -
Radical shake-up planned for CPD
30 May 2009
German trade show organiser Igedo is planning a dramatic overhaul of its flagship womenswear show CPD by shelving menswear show Herrenmode Düsseldorf in favour of a new section called Impulse in July to attract more contemporary womenswear brands to the mainstream event. -
Introduction: Khabi Mirza
23 May 2009
Only a cave-dwelling hermit could have missed the fact that, economically speaking, we’re in a spot of bother. -
M&S to slash dividend + autumn 09 womenswear preview
18 May 2009
Marks & Spencer is expected to slash its dividend when it announces its preliminary full year results tomorrow, upsetting small but loyal private shareholders. -
Napapijri
16 May 2009
Design-rich ranges with a nod to vintage outdoor styles are set to put the outerwear specialist back on the map -
Catwalks influence M&S womenswear
15 May 2009
Marks & Spencer has paid closer attention to catwalk trends for its autumn 09 womenswear, paying homage to the 1940s and 1980s. -
Diesel
9 May 2009
Diesel’s new managing director is backing a scientific approach to distribution in a bid to drive the brand’s sell-through in the UK -
Republic signs deal to put Diesel in 15 stores
2 May 2009
Italian denim heavyweight Diesel will extend its distribution to branded young fashion chain Republic from autumn 09. -
Wrangler relaunches Blue Bell casualwear
4 April 2009
Wrangler has relaunched its vintage sub-brand Blue Bell as a premium casualwear collection for autumn 09 -
Deborah Meaden
28 March 2009
The TV Dragon leaves her stony-faced persona in the studio as she tells Khabi Mirza why she has invested in skate brand WeSC -
Toms expands distribution
28 March 2009
Ethical footwear brand Toms has widened its UK distribution and is introducing new styles for autumn 09. -
Paris Fashion Week autumn 09
21 March 2009
Nostalgia for the 1980s and a Second World War look informed collections, in which the focus fell mostly on skirts -
Sander comes out of retirement for Uniqlo
21 March 2009
Uniqlo has tempted designer Jil Sander out of retirement to head up all of its menswear and womenswear design on a consultancy basis. -
Your voice can help industry to be heard
21 March 2009
The lack of support shown by the government over the potentially crippling issue of credit insurance is shocking. -
WESC
16 March 2009
Drapers’ Khabi Mirza talks to founder Greger Hagelin and investor Deborah Meadon on their plans to bring skate-inspired Swedish brand WESC to the UK. -
Noa Noa Gallery
14 March 2009
After 10 years of vigorous growth, the Danish brand hopes its UK subsidiary can take it to the next level -
Paris shuns safe styles
14 March 2009
Womenswear labels showing at Paris Fashion Week over the past seven days threw recessionary caution to the wind, in contrast to the commercially driven brands at the previous week’s Milan Fashion Week, which followed a relatively safe path. -
Paris Fashion Week: demure versus sexy
9 March 2009
While the commercially-driven brands of Milan Fashion Week steered their collections down a relatively safe path a week ago, many brands showing at Paris Fashion Week over the weekend threw recessionary caution to the wind, igniting buyer excitement with a volley of looks from retro-tinged elegance to rock-inspired sexy styles. -
Paris Fashion Week: wearable luxury from Balenciaga
6 March 2009
Nicholas Ghesquière, creative director at Balenciaga, underlined the brand’s innate sense of craftsmanship yesterday with a presentation swathed in intricately draped and swagged silhouettes. -
Paris Fashion Week: Gareth Pugh’s black parade
5 March 2009
The international fashion lollapalooza swung into Paris for the start of the French capital’s Fashion Week which kicked off yesterday. -
Panama Jack
28 February 2009
Known for its comfort footwear, the Spanish brand is now targeting a younger, more contemporary customer -
Tailoring returns to London Fashion Week
23 February 2009
Playing to their unique strengths, designers at London Fashion Week presented a parade of instantly recognisable collections. -
Barbour Gallery
21 February 2009
Younger consumers have reconnected with Barbour thanks to its International jacket and an updated collection -
Moda buyers cut budgets despite strong start to year
19 February 2009
Buyers and exhibitors at mainstream trade show Moda at Birmingham’s NEC this week were in a tentative mood, despite reporting that trade had got off to a robust start this year. -
NYFW: Matthew Williamson gets sexy in the city
18 February 2009
The onslaught of the Brits in New York continued yesterday with a sophisticated presentation from the erstwhile baron of boho Matthew Williamson. -
NYFW: Marc Jacobs catches the 1980s bug
17 February 2009
A defiant creative mood informed Marc Jacobs’ catwalk presentation last night at New York Fashion Week. -
Bäumler
14 February 2009
The German men’s tailoring brand has sexed up its offer without compromising its classic, elegant feel -
Pure Autumn 09
14 February 2009
Pure this week presented a more commercially led parade of womenswear in the face of the more directional styles exhibited at Who’s Next in Paris and Copenhagen Fashion Week. -
55DSL
7 February 2009
With its clashing colours and graphics-led personality, 55DSL is shaping a reputation beyond its skater kid roots -
Bianca
31 January 2009
Mainstream womenswear brand Bianca is back on track with a refocused offer and service-led distribution -
Bread & Butter Autumn 09
24 January 2009
Buyers spent their time in Barcelona backing big brands rather than hunting out challenging new trends -
Dominic Dormeuil
24 January 2009
Over 167 years, Dormeuil has built a reputation as one of the finest suppliers of menswear cloth. Now its chief executive is broadening its reach with a made-to-measure tailoring offer. -
Victorinox, London
24 January 2009
The Swiss Army knife creator’s flagship store displays the same sharp attention to detail as its iconic product. -
Eastpak unveils clothing range
17 December 2008
US bag specialist Eastpak is launching a young fashion collection. -
Red or Dead
8 December 2008
One of the 1980s’ most popular brands is using a complex structure of licences to spread its reach. -
Penrose set for summer launch
5 December 2008
Mitchell Jacobs, founder and former owner of contemporary men’s shirting and accessories brand Duchamp, is to introduce a new collection to the premium menswear market. -
Eastpak
24 November 2008
The globally popular luggage brand touches down on Carnaby Street with a dramatic young fashion statement -
Menswear focus at Sixty Group
14 November 2008
Sixty Group is placing a renewed emphasis on its menswear business for 2009. -
Buyers wise up to power of brands
7 November 2008
Every journalist is driven by the thrill of the chase. The discovery of new stuff is Drapers’ quarry, whether we’re chasing a retail opening, scoping next season’s trends, or pounding the pavement in pursuit of the latest looks. -
Billionaire Boys Club
3 November 2008
The streetwear label’s strict distribution policy gives it an aura of exclusivity and ensures high sell-through. -
Andre 3000
9 October 2008
André Benjamin, aka André 3000 of hip-hop duo Outkast, speaks to Khabi Mirza about swapping music for fashion with his Benjamin Bixby label. -
Melka
2 October 2008
After years on autopilot, men’s lifestyle brand Melka is back with a new owner and a renewed sense of ambition -
Paul Costelloe
26 September 2008
After 15 years of showing at London Fashion Week, the Irish designer’s staying power is beyond dispute. -
Collections Group buys Frank Bird
26 September 2008
Jersey-based retail stable Collections Group has acquired the Drapers Award winning menswear independent Frank Bird. -
Prada ticks trend boxes in Milan
24 September 2008
Textured surfaces have been impossible to ignore on the spring 09 runways. From Nathan Jenden's all-over cocktail-umbrellas dress in London, to D&G's pleated gold lame tops and skirts in Milan, one of the season's most widely evident themes to emerge so far has been a crumpled metallic aesthetic. -
InWear
23 September 2008
The Danish contemporary womenswear heavyweight has overhauled its image to pack more of a punch. -
Macandi ramps up brand offer
22 September 2008
Contemporary fashion agency Macandi is extending its branded offer in a bid to broaden its appeal to a wider range of retailers. -
Pret a Porter Spring 09
13 September 2008
With florals, summer brights and draping all out in force, the Paris collections showed spring 09’s important looks. -
MCM, London
1 September 2008
The luxury accessories brand arrives in the UK with a sophisticated store in the heart of Knightsbridge. -
Pure womenswear Spring 09
9 August 2008
Although time has finally been called on smock tops, womenswear trends barely moved on from last spring -
Denim-themed celebration for Lee Cooper’s 100th year
6 August 2008
Lee Cooper is putting a renewed focus on its denim collection, broadening its jeans offer for spring 09 and launching the 100 Years Project to celebrate its centenary. -
Colour and checks lift spring options
6 August 2008
Young fashion brands have revived last season’s winning looks in a near-identical line-up of trends for spring 09. -
Trends set too hot a pace for shoppers
2 August 2008
It would take a half-blind Amish farmer not to be seduced by Bread & Butter’s charms. -
Set
26 July 2008
Formerly known as Oui Set, womenswear brand Set is ready to shout about its more aspirational repositioning. -
Offer grows at Peter Scott
22 July 2008
Knitwear specialist Peter Scott has launched a complete menswear collection for spring 09. Manufactured in England and finished by hand, the collection includes jackets, trousers, polo shirts, knits, and footwear. -
Bread & Butter Spring 09
12 July 2008
With fresh trends so thin on the ground, brands in Barcelona were hoping intricate details and sophisticated treatments would appease cautious buyers. -
Longchamp
21 June 2008
The French luxury accessories brand celebrates its 60th birthday this year with a range inspired by its first handbags. -
Pitti Uomo opens in cautious mood
18 June 2008
As expected UK buyers were a scarce breed among the Italian peacocks on parade for the opening morning of Pitti Uomo in Florence today. -
Pure to unveil a new look show
17 May 2008
Womenswear exhibition Pure is planning a dramatic overhaul for its spring 09 edition, introducing new, more clearly defined product zones as well as a marketing makeover with a new branding and advertising campaign. -
Day Birger et Mikkelsen
16 May 2008
The Danish heavyweight reveals its plans for menswear and the impact its new team will have on UK growth. -
Pure revamped for August edition
12 May 2008
Womenswear exhibition Pure is planning a dramatic overhaul for its spring 09 edition, introducing new, more clearly defined product zones. -
Yvan Benbanaste
10 May 2008
Italian brand Pal Zileri’s fashion co-ordinator tells Khabi Mirza how the business is engaging with a directional casualwear customer. -
Lee hopes to boost its UK profile with retail roll-out
26 April 2008
Denim brand Lee is to roll out company-owned stores in the next two years to boost its profile in the UK. -
Divided by H&M, London
26 April 2008
The Swedish young fashion giant introduces its first Divided standalone to the UK. -
Gary Lee
26 April 2008
The UK managing director of sports eyewear brand Oakley explains why he can look beyond sunglasses to see a bright future in clothing under its new owner Luxottica. -
Lee hopes to boost its UK profile with retail roll-out
25 April 2008
Denim brand Lee is to roll out company-owned stores in the next two years to boost its profile in the UK. -
H&M opens its first UK Divided store
18 April 2008
H&M opened a streetwear concept store under its Divided brand in London's Camden last night. -
Rob & Mart Drake-Knight
14 March 2008
The founding brothers of eco brand Rapanui tell Alex Hudson about environmental issues and ethical trade, and their opinion of value retailers. -
Toms
14 March 2008
With its sell-one donate-one strategy, Toms is busy putting shoes on the feet of kids across the developing world. -
Folk
10 March 2008
With its personality-led approach and directional credentials, Folk is making an impact both at home and away. -
Unique Boutique
10 March 2008
In less than two years, Unique Boutique has won a significant following for its sexy short-order party dresses. -
Henri-Lloyd
10 March 2008
With expansion in mind, lifestyle brand Henri-Lloyd is targeting younger consumers with a new streetwear label. -
Tateossian
8 March 2008
Having lit the fuse on the cufflinks market, Tateossian’s trend-led jewellery now targets fashion-conscious women. -
Paris shows reinforce key trends
25 January 2008
The Parisian shows were quiet on day two but the collections backed up the key looks already seen for autumn 08. -
Prêt à Portèr showcases trends as exhibition kicks off
24 January 2008
Prêt à Portèr's contemporary womenswear exhibition Atmosphère swung open its doors in Paris this morning with a predictable mix of trends. -
Bread & Butter show report
21 January 2008
The most inspiring efforts at Bread and Butter Barcelona came more from visiting buyers than exhibitors. -
Commercial trends dominate at Bread & Butter
18 January 2008
While the Bread & Butter exhibition in Barcelona is serving up little in the way of fresh trends, there are plenty of tasty product morsels for buyers to get their teeth into. -
Season’s preview autumn 08
15 January 2008
Drapers round up all the essential trends poised to hit the high street for the coming season. -
Pitti Uomo show report
14 January 2008
Buyers on the trail of spanking new trends should have packed magnifying glasses and deerstalkers; so elusive were they among the cache of autumn 08 menswear at Pitti Uomo. -
Fashion Fix: Pounding the pavement
13 December 2007
Crystal ball gazers had Monday December 4th circled as the busiest day for online gift shopping. I scoff at armchair Christmas shoppers – cheats the lot of them. -
Portas says future is bright for UK’s indies
24 November 2007
Mary Portas, creative director of brand consultancy Yellow Door and presenter of BBC series Mary Queen of Shops, is confident that changing shopping habits have secured the future of independent fashion retailers across the country. -
Queen of Shops predicts secure future for indies
24 November 2007
Mary Portas creative director of marketing and brand consultant Yellow Door and presenter of BBC series Mary Queen of Shops is confident that changing shopping habits have secured the future of independent fashion retailers across the country. -
Fashion Fix: North country boy
30 October 2007
Among the geographical pit stops during last week’s half-term road trip, my son and I made a trip to Bradford to visit my mother’s hometown. Not wishing to offend any readers from that part of West Yorkshire, but the city seemed badly in need of some love. -
Tom Murry
29 October 2007
It is already a household name, but fashion giant Calvin Klein refuses to stand still. Khabi Mirza meets president Tom Murry to see which area it plans to conquer next -
Harrods’ menswear duo in shock exit
20 October 2007
Harrods has promoted its womenswear concession boss to lead its menswear offer, following the sudden departure of two senior menswear figures last week. -
Fashion champions
20 October 2007
Imagined as a Greco-Roman wrestling grudge match, the victor among spring 08’s fashion weeks had to be London. -
Fashion Fix: Moth-eaten
9 October 2007
Regular readers will be well versed with the love/hate relationship I have with moths. They love sinking their parasitic jowls into my most treasured jumpers. -
Keeping trade fair
6 October 2007
The big question this week – are multiples merely paying lip service to organic and fair trade clothing? It was Katharine Hamnett, perhaps the UK’s most visible flag bearer for organic and ethical fashion, who last week lit the touch paper on the debate. -
Visitor numbers on the rise at Pure as buyers brave the summer heat
11 August 2007
Visitor numbers at contemporary womenswear show Pure were up 9% compared with last year despite the sweltering weather. -
Buyers line up to taste Bread & Butter
7 July 2007
Exhibitors were upbeat at the start of Bread & Butter Barcelona on Wednesday. -
Milan
7 July 2007
Colour and fabric trends outshone silhouettes as the key differentiator for spring 08 designer menswear
