The Drapers Interview homepage
Ruth Runberg
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Ian and Nigel Brown
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.
Tina Knowles
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
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
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.
Rebecca Van Dyck
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
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
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.
Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli
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
Few within the fashion sector have been as outspoken or active on the issue of promoting new talent as Arcadia Group’s boss.
Clive Reeve
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
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
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.
Georgie Cook & Louise Power
The two sisters behind London indie Hub have defied the doubters to build a successful menswear business.
Rhona Blades
The co-founder of womenswear indie Jules B on reacting to the recession, the protection offered by ecommerce and the importance of experimentation.
The Kooples
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
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.
Jonny & Mark Wilkinson
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
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
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
Matthew Williamson
After some fine tuning for its second season, the designer says his MW diffusion line has found its own identity
Tracy Lewis
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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Bread & Butter Interview: Karl-Heinz Müller
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Tom Chapman
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Will Forrester
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Amanda Wakeley
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David Sancho
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Miriam Lahage
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Warren Bennett
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Daniela Riccardi
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Peter Bolliger
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Hilary Haresign
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Richard Jones
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Ed Vaizey
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Simon Rider
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Brian Rennie
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Simon Bamber
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Lisa Montague
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Katie Price
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Michele Norsa
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Theo Paphitis
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Sebastian Manes
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Mary Portas
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Nicholas Kirkwood
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Keld Mikkelsen
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Asbed Momdjian
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Bernd Hake
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Paul Sweetenham
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Vanessa Bruno
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David Lauren
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Pernilla Wohlfahrt & Rebekka Bay
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Liam Gallagher
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Miles Gray
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Paolo de Cesare
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Rob Feldmann
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Larry Meyer
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Jan Shutt
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Michael Ward
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Victoria Stapleton
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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
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John Stockton
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Ozwald Boateng
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Stephanie Chen
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Ed Burstell
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Matt Rubel
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Angela Spindler
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Maria Luisa Poumaillou
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Stephan van Kruisselberge
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David Weeks
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Marie-France Cohen
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Brian Brick
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Andrew Moore
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Jonny Hewlett
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Matt McCormack
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Barry Bown
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Nick Brown
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Gwynn Milligan
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Terry de Havilland
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Browns
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Terry Mansfield & June Barker
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Nadia Jones
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Maurice Helfgott
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Kate Bostock
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Tim Larcombe
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James Pow
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Carla Sozzani
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Deryane Tadd
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Suzanne Harlow
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Erdem Moralioglu
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Malcolm Collins
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Sara Bradley
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Jo Hooper


Anything that makes taking risks - arguably the only way to fight your way out - harder is a serious problem’



