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Ruth Runberg, Browns

Ruth Runberg

3 February 2012 | By

The buying director of Browns crossed the Atlantic to join the designer indie, where only the best of the best is good enough to keep her ‘global luxury customer’ happy.  

Christopher Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn

20 January 2012 | By

Fresh from winning a British Fashion Award, Raeburn is proving that sustainable clothing can turn heads in retail’s temples of style such as Barneys and Liberty.

Kevin P Ryan

Kevin P Ryan

13 January 2012

Following its UK launch in November, the founder of US private Sales site Gilt is boldly confident his business will flourish against its European competitors.

Douglas Cordeaux

Douglas Cordeaux

16 December 2011 | By

With the support of TV Dragon Deborah Meaden, Fox Brothers’ managing director ensured the survival of the Somerset mill. Now he wants to secure its long-term future.

Gary Malamet, Sebago

Gary Malamet

2 December 2011 | By

It’s full steam ahead in the UK for nautical footwear brand Sebago, says its vice president, who expects its first standalone stores to do wonders for its profile.

Rob Templeman

Rob Templeman

18 November 2011 | By

He’s been described as a ‘deal-making junkie’, but it’s his turnaround of Debenhams that earned Rob Templeman the respect of his fashion peers and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jo Davies

Jo Davies

4 November 2011 | By Graeme Moran

By sticking to a simple plan, womenswear indie Black White Denim has quickly made a bold impression. Its founder reveals the philosophy behind her store’s buy now, keep forever concept.

Paul and Kelly Turner-Mitchell

Paul and Kelly Turner-Mitchell

21 October 2011 | By

The husband and wife behind 25 Ten Boutique in Rochdale have tackled the problem of their deteriorating town head on by opening an indie hub, and now the ambitious pair have their sights set on an own label.

Nobuo Domae

Nobuo Domae

7 October 2011 | By

The group executive vice-president of Uniqlo’s parent company on why London is the centre of its UK ambitions and how its classic lines and innovation will see off its competitors.

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Ian and Nigel Brown

23 September 2011

The clamour for quality British fabric has done wonders for worsted mill Alfred Brown’s client list, leaving its managing directors to grapple with the welcome challenge of expansion.

Independent women: Knowles has blended her dressmaker and designer background with Beyoncé’s distinctive style

Tina Knowles

9 September 2011 | By

The involvement of daughter Beyoncé may imply that Tina Knowles’ House of Deréon is just another celebrity brand, but Knowles has the skills to silence the sceptics.

Tony Linford

Tony Linford

26 August 2011 | By

The managing director of comfort footwear brand Van Dal’s parent company explains why he wants to build a closer relationship with indie stockists.

Andrew Rosen

Andrew Rosen

12 August 2011 | By

His race horse might not be a winner, but the founder of Theory is betting on the premium brand’s change of direction to gee up its international growth plans.

RVW_headshot1

Rebecca Van Dyck

29 July 2011 | By

As Levi’s prepares to launch its first global advertising campaign, its global chief marketing officer explains how branding means nothing without product innovation.

Toby Bateman, Buying director, Mr Porter

Toby Bateman

15 July 2011 | By

Mr Porter has a lot to live up to – the hype, the success of sister Net-a-Porter – but its buying director is up for the challenge.

Everton Campbell

Everton Campbell

27 January 2012

Scouting for the coolest brands and developing innovative collaborations are just two of the reasons why The Hip Store is celebrating 25 successful years of independent retailing.

Masters of style: Piccioli and Chiuri

Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli

20 January 2012 | By

Valentino’s creative directors spoke to Ana Santi after the designer label showed its menswear range at Pitti for the first time.

Sir Philip Green (middle, left) at the annual Fashion Retail Academy Awards 2011

Sir Philip Green

13 January 2012

Few within the fashion sector have been as outspoken or active on the issue of promoting new talent as Arcadia Group’s boss.

Talking trends: Reeve describes Oasis’s autumn 12 collection as catwalk-inspired rather than a catwalk copy

Clive Reeve

9 December 2011 | By

After a three-year stint at Arcadia, Reeve has made a happy return to Oasis, where he is determined to bring back a sense of fun and playfulness to the womenswear chain.

Francis McAuley, Debenhams

Francis McAuley

25 November 2011 | By

With plans to double its overseas store portfolio and franchising and licensing deals mooted, Debenhams’ international director might just be about to take over the world.

Kate Walmsley

Kate Walmsley

11 November 2011 | By

Topshop’s mobile-optimised site is yet to launch, but sales from mobiles are already soaring. No wonder head of ecommerce Kate Walmsley relishes the digital opportunities.

Sister act: Georgie Cook (left) and Louise Power

Georgie Cook & Louise Power

28 October 2011 | By James Knowles

The two sisters behind London indie Hub have defied the doubters to build a successful menswear business.

Rhona Blades

Rhona Blades

14 October 2011 | By

The co-founder of womenswear indie Jules B on reacting to the recession, the protection offered by ecommerce and the importance of experimentation.

Brand identical: (from left) Laurent, Raphael and Alexandre Elicha

The Kooples

30 September 2011 | By

In less than three years, premium French retailer The Kooples has notched up 180 stores, €100m worth of sales and is now poised to enter the US market. Just what is its secret?

Bora Aksu

Bora Aksu

16 September 2011 | By James Knowles

The LFW designer built his reputation on party dresses, but after losing his only UK stockist he is hoping to turn buyers’ heads with a more commercial and varied offer.  

Drapers_cannon_WilkinsonBrothers042

Jonny & Mark Wilkinson

2 September 2011 | By

The launch came as a surprise, but rugby stars Jonny and Mark Wilkinson’s Fineside clothing brand has the potential to break out from the scrum of menswear competitors.

Liliane_Harris

Liliane Harris

19 August 2011 | By

With a foot in both the retail and wholesale camps, the owner of indie Larizia and agency M&L Harris has a broader perspective than most on the womenswear market.

Steven Miller

Steven Miller

5 August 2011 | By

The last true British shirtmaker, Turnbull & Asser, enriches more than just gentlemen’s wardrobes. Its boss explains why it won’t compromise on its Made in Britain ethos

Photography by Nicky Hamilton

Matthew Williamson

22 July 2011 | By

After some fine tuning for its second season, the designer says his MW diffusion line has found its own identity

Tracy Lewis, Chief executive, Eveden Group

Tracy Lewis

8 July 2011 | By

Eveden Group is best known for its Freya and Fantasie lingerie brands, but overseas its plus-size labels are driving growth. Now its chief executive wants the UK to think big too.

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