OCTOBER 2026
ISSUE 190
Have yourself an indie Christmas
Sparkling gifts and partywear
ICONIC DUO Elizabeth Hurley for Joseph Ribkoff
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Making the festive season bright
& THE BOUTIQUE STAR AWARDS 2026 SHORTLIST AVOIDING PRE-CHRISTMAS DISCOUNTING MERCHANDISING THAT WOWS
For appointments contact:
www.concrete-concept.org
Angela Barker-Blundell +44(0)7887 730754 angela.blundell@concrete-concept.org
Essi Korhonen +358 50 5424694 essi.korhonen@concrete-concept.org
WELCOME EDITOR Gemma Ward gemma@bpmedialtd.co.uk
PRINT AND ONLINE SALES Julie Neill – julie@bpmedialtd.co.uk Tel 01795 515288 / 07960797383
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Jack Witcomb – jack@bpmedialtd.co.uk
CREDIT CONTROL Jilly Barker - Jilly@bpmedialtd.co.uk
PUBLISHER Julie Neill
MANAGING DIRECTOR Julie Neill © 2022 Boutique Professional Media Ltd, Office 2, The Old Stable Block, Crescent Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 7GU. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to Boutique Professional Media. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.
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ON THE COVER: Image courtesy of Joseph Ribkoff Tel: 07771 597 166/ 07734 942 382 E: nigel@aptcollections.ltd.uk/ claudia@aptcollections.ltd.uk COVER AND FEATURE FULL CREDITS: Talent: Elizabeth Hurley @elizabethhurley1; Agency: Gersh Agency @gershagency; Photographer and Director: Jake Rosenberg @jakerosenberg; Production: Stept Studios @steptstudios; Styling: Zeina Esmail @zeinaesmail; Hair: Serge Normant @sergenormant; Makeup: Sandy Linter @sandylinter
Editor's NOTE
T
he past 12 months have been particularly tough for independent fashion retail. Yet this year's Boutique Star Awards shortlist is proof that this industry isn’t in decline – it’s still finding ways to thrive in an increasingly pressurised marketplace. We've been inundated with entries and nominations this year, giving us the rather difficult task of whittling them down to the shortlist you’ll find in this month’s issue. Among the entries were businesses that have grown, evolved and tried something completely different, alongside those that have simply kept going amid near impossible trading conditions. It’s been so inspiring to read all your submissions as we prepare to recognise more of the people, ideas and businesses that make this industry so special. Turn to pages 10–11 to discover who has made this year’s shortlist. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter or nominate. I know how busy you are running your businesses, and appreciate that putting an awards entry together can feel like another job to add to a very long list. Whether or not your name appears on the following pages, we loved hearing about what you’ve achieved. Of course, the shortlist is only the beginning. We’ll be revealing all our winners (and celebrating the past year in general) on Tuesday 10 November at London’s Victory Services Club. Tickets are on sale now and everyone is invited, so turn to page 7 for all the details. After reading so many brilliant entries, the team is already looking forward to raising a glass to independent retail in November. I hope plenty of you will be there to join us. Gemma Ward, Editor
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS PARTYWEAR PARTYWEAR
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS PARTYWEAR PARTYWEAR ORGANZA ORGANZA TOP, BITTE TOP,KAI BITTE RAND, KAI£POA RAND, £POA
CARDIGAN, CARDIGAN, MUNTHE, MUNTHE, £POA £POA
STAR BRACELET, STAR BRACELET, GOLD TRIP, GOLD £POA TRIP, £POA
EMBELLISHED EMBELLISHED SKIRT, SKIRT, JOSEPHJOSEPH RIBKOFF, RIBKOFF, £POA £POA
FRINGED FRINGED BAG, BAG, MARC CAIN, MARC£POA CAIN, £POA FAUX FUR FAUX COAT, FUR COAT, RIXO, £POA RIXO, £POA
CHRISTMAS GIFTING
Independent Christmas THE SEASON’S BEST GIFTS FROM INDIE-FRIENDLY BRANDS Elevate sustainable edits with
CAMBRIDGE IMPRINT ’s Fancy Suffolk Angels Gift Tags, £POA Keep reading glasses safe and stylish with
JACKET,JACKET, MOS MOSH, MOS £POA MOSH, £POA LACE TOP, LACE JOSEPH TOP, JOSEPH RIBKOFF, RIBKOFF, £POA £POA
Night Night Mode Mode
VIDA SCARF VIDADRESS, SCARF DRESS, MALINA, MALINA, £POA £POA
SEQUINSEQUIN DRESS, MOS DRESS, MOS MOSH, £POA MOSH, £POA
PIECES ’ metallic faux leather case, £POA
Elevate stockings with
ISOLINAISOLINA EARRINGS, EARRINGS, CAROLINE CAROLINE SVEDBOM, SVEDBOM, £POA £POA
EARRINGS, EARRINGS, RIXO, £POA RIXO, £POA
Crafted in organic wool, ARMEDANGELS ’ knitted beanie is a conscious choice for Christmas shoppers, £POA
SAMSØE SAMSØE ’s Saaudreys lingerie set, £POA
FRINGED FRINGED SKIRT, MOS SKIRT, MOS MOSH, £POA MOSH, £POA
STEPSTEP INTO INTO CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS WITHWITH AW26’S AW26’S STANDOUT STANDOUT PARTYWEAR PARTYWEAR AND ACCESSORIES AND ACCESSORIES
TULLE SKIRT, TULLE SKIRT, BITTE KAI BITTE RAND, KAI RAND, £POA £POA
F F
orget festive orget festive traditions: traditions: this year’s this party year’s season party season fashionfashion receives receives a modern a modern refreshrefresh with rich with rich hues, hues, unexpected unexpected combinations combinations and statement and statement textures. textures. From powder From powder blue and blue lilac andtolilac fringes to fringes and and organza, organza, the latest thepieces latest pieces will bring will glamour bring glamour to yourto your rails without rails without becoming becoming redundant redundant come January… come January…
BLACK&BEECH ’s Damn Rebel Bitch Mug will brighten up any morning routine, £8.96
DRESS, DRESS, ESSENTIEL ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, ANTWERP, £POA £POA
Handmade with Swarovski elements,
CAROLINE SVEDBOM ’s Gemma ring will bring sparkle to Christmas edits, £POA
JEWELLED JEWELLED FLATS, MARC FLATS,CAIN, MARC£POA CAIN, £POA Make a splash with
SHOULDER SHOULDER BAG, BAG, MARC CAIN, MARC£POA CAIN, £POA
Chelsea boots, £POA
JEANS, JEANS, JOSEPHJOSEPH RIBKOFF, RIBKOFF, £POA £POA BOW SKIRT, BOW SKIRT, ESSENTIEL ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, ANTWERP, £POA £POA SLIP DRESS, SLIPNÜMPH, DRESS, NÜMPH, £POA £POA
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BARBOUR ’s classic waterproof Cynthia
TROUSERS, TROUSERS, MARC CAIN, MARC£POA CAIN, £POA
BLOOMINGVILLE ’s stoneware Merry-go-round
BITTE KAI BITTE RAND KAITel: RAND 07778 Tel: 158 07778 986158 E: info@oldstrom.com, 986 E: info@oldstrom.com, CAROLINE CAROLINE SVEDBOM SVEDBOM Tel: 07778 Tel: 158 07778 986158 E: info@oldstrom.com, 986 E: info@oldstrom.com, ESSENTIEL ESSENTIEL ANTWERP ANTWERP E: anais.pentelow-smith@essentiel.be, E: anais.pentelow-smith@essentiel.be, GOLD TRIP GOLDE:TRIP hello@goldtrip.co, E: hello@goldtrip.co, JOSEPHJOSEPH RIBKOFF RIBKOFF Tel: 07771 Tel: 597 07771 166/ 597 07734 166/ 942 07734 382942 E: nigel@aptcollections.ltd.uk/ 382 E: nigel@aptcollections.ltd.uk/ claudia@aptcollections.ltd.uk, claudia@aptcollections.ltd.uk, MALINAMALINA E: sales@bymalina.com, E: sales@bymalina.com, MARC CAIN MARCE:CAIN mc.agency.uk@marc-cain.com, E: mc.agency.uk@marc-cain.com, MOS MOSH MOS Tel: MOSH 07730 Tel: 072 07730 600072 E: cp@mosmosh.com 600 E: cp@mosmosh.com mosmosh.com, mosmosh.com, MUNTHE MUNTHE Tel: 0045 Tel:3332 00450012 3332E:0012 direct@munthe.com, E: direct@munthe.com, NÜMPHNÜMPH E: mas@numph.dk, E: mas@numph.dk, RIXO E:RIXO wholesale@rixo.co.uk, E: wholesale@rixo.co.uk, SAMSØE SAMSØE SAMSØE SAMSØE E: vitus@samsoe.com E: vitus@samsoe.com OCTOBEROCTOBER 2026 | boutique. 2026 | boutique. | 29 | 29
jar is the perfect gift for foodies and bakers, £POA
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boutique. OCTOBER 2026
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Harrogate Fashion Week Returns...
Save the date... Sunday 7th - Tuesday 9th FEBRUARY 2027
harrogatefashionweek.com
2025 WINNERS’ PARTY
Fashion Fix
ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR FASHION INDIES
T
CELEBRATE INDEPENDENT RETAIL AT THE BOUTIQUE STAR AWARDS 2026 WINNERS’ PARTY
ickets are now on sale for the Boutique Star Awards 2026 winners’ party, which promises to bring together some of the best in independent fashion retail for an unforgettable evening. This year’s celebration takes place on Tuesday 10 November at the Victory Services Club in London, where the winners of 17 awards will receive their trophies. Taking over the venue’s Carisbrooke Hall for the first time, the evening will combine a glittering awards ceremony with dinner, drinks and an opportunity to celebrate with friends from across the industry. Retailer awards include Fashion Independent of the Year sponsored by INDX, Social Media Strategy of the Year and Manager of the Year alongside new categories for 2026 such as Resilient Retailer of the Year sponsored by Bira and Retailer Event of the Year. Supplier categories include British Brand of the Year, Fashion Agency of the Year sponsored by Harrogate
Fashion Week and the new Tech Innovation of the Year award. Meanwhile, three special awards including Outstanding Business sponsored by City Goddess will be presented to standout companies and individuals. All independent retailers, brands, agents and suppliers are invited to this year's celebration. Tickets cost £220 each and include welcome drinks, a three-course dinner with wine, the awards ceremony and a DJ after party. More information on purchasing is available via boutique-magazine.co.uk/starawards-tickets. “We’re really excited to be taking the Boutique Star Awards to a new venue for 2026,” says Boutique magazine publisher Julie Neill. “The winners’ party has become such a special date in the calendar because it brings together so many brilliant people from across the independent fashion industry. “The Victory Services Club gives us a fantastic new setting to celebrate this year’s finalists
and winners, and we’re planning another brilliant evening. The awards are about recognising the businesses and people who make this industry so special, so we’d love retailers and suppliers from across the sector to come along and celebrate with us.” The Boutique Star Awards first launched in 2019. Following a three-year hiatus, the competition returned in 2022 and has continued to grow, with the winners’ party previously held at London’s May Fair Hotel. Past winners include Kiti, Domino Style, Biscuit Clothing, Artichoke, Velvet and Doodie Stark, alongside suppliers including Chalk, Scream Pretty, Pomodoro, Orientique and Joanna Edwards Agency. Tickets cost £220 each while a special room rate of £244 for a double room with breakfast at Victory Services Club is available for attendees; E: julie@bpmedialtd.co.uk to book or visit boutique-magazine. co.uk/star-awards-tickets. OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 7
NEWS
INDUSTRY UPDATE
ESSENTIAL NEWS FOR FASHION INDIES
BIRA AND INDX SHOWS RETURN AS BOUTIQUE STAR AWARDS SPONSORS
B
ira and INDX Shows are backing this year’s Boutique Star Awards after signing up as category sponsors. The British Independent Retail Association (Bira) returns following a successful ongoing partnership to support the Resilient Retailer of the Year category, recognising indies thriving amid adversity. INDX Shows, meanwhile, sponsors two categories: New Independent of the Year and Emerging Brand of the Year, which celebrate new retailers and suppliers respectively. They join Harrogate Fashion Week, which is sponsoring the Fashion Agency of the Year, and womenswear supplier City Goddess – backer
of the Independent Department Store of the Year and Outstanding Business awards. All sponsors have supported the awards previously, reinforcing their ongoing commitment to advocating for small businesses.
Now in its sixth year, this year’s awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 10 November at London’s Victory Services Club. Tickets are now on sale via boutique-magazine.co.uk/starawards-tickets.
Fashion business closures outpace openings More UK fashion businesses closed than opened last year for the first time on record, according to new analysis from fashion intelligence firm COORD. Its research into Companies House records also found 96 per cent of fashion companies removed from the register were struck off without entering administration or making a public announcement. COORD says the findings suggest the scale of fashion businesses ceasing to trade could be greater than widely reported.
ONLINE RETURNS CHARGES AUTUMN FAIR SERVES DAMPENING RETAIL SALES BUYING INSPIRATION New insight from returns platform Loop reveals returns policies are AND RETAIL INSIGHT Thousands of buyers headed to Birmingham’s NEC for this season’s four-day Autumn Fair, combining new-season sourcing with a packed programme of talks and workshops. Alongside its fashion, accessories, gift, home and lifestyle product showcase, the event tackled some of the key issues facing indies - from retail crime and AI to live and social commerce. This year’s event was also co-located with garden retail show Glee, giving buyers access to suppliers across the garden and outdoor categories.
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directly impacting online purchases, with 92 per cent of consumers claiming charges for sending items back influence how they shop. Over half of the 1,000 consumers polled (55 per cent) have also stopped Hannah Bravo comments: “Shoppers shopping with a retailer are judging brands on what completely or abandoned happens after the sale, a purchase because of its and that judgment turns returns policy. into action.” “Shoppers are As retailers grapple The findings form judging brands with balancing on what happens part of Loop’s latest customer service and research report, The after the sale” profitability, 35 per Returns Revenue Gap, cent of the UK’s top examining attitudes 100 fashion retailers now towards the post-purchase charge for returns. Loop CEO experience.
NEWS
INDIE SHOP NEWS
BOUTIQUE BAROMETER INDUSTRY SALES FIGURES AUGUST 2026 (VS AUGUST 2025)
HANDLE WITH CARE
Collen and Clare has launched a new Instagram account after its original was hacked last year. Follow the Suffolk indie via @collenandclaresouthwold
HIGH FIVE
Indie group The Edit is opening its fifth store at Golden Square in Warrington this month, joining its shops in Altrincham, Knutsford, Didsbury and Alderley Edge.
SECOND THOUGHTS Amersham womenswear independent Trunk Lifestyle has also announced a new shop launch, with its second location now open in Berkhamsted.
Bira welcomes chancellor’s pledge to reduce business burden Bira is urging the government to take action on business rates and employment costs following John Healey’s recent growth speech. The new chancellor acknowledged that business costs have risen since the pandemic and pledged to reduce the administrative burden of regulation by 25 per cent by the end of parliament. In addition, he promised
AVERAGE SALES QUANTITY
+2.84% AVERAGE SELLING PRICE
-1.91% PROFIT MARGIN
greater business rates retention for local councils and strategic authorities as part of plans for fiscal devolution. Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre says the association welcomes the growth ambitions but added that indie retailers will be watching October’s Autumn Budget closely for meaningful reform.
+0.1% These figures represent findings from a cross section of independent online and bricks-and-mortar retailers around the UK. Total stock management and EPoS provider Top to Toe has compiled this industry index to offer Boutique readers an insight into what’s happening on the high street and online. Tel: 0203 376 5888 E: info@toptotoe.com Toptotoe.com
THE PANTRY UNDERWEAR IMPROVES ONLINE BRA-FITTING SERVICE WITH AI
T
he Pantry Underwear is now using AI-powered 3D scanning technology to enhance its free online bra fitting service. The indie group, which has stores in Islington, Saffron Walden and Cambridge, says the aim is to replicate its in-person fitting experience as closely as possible. Ahead of their virtual appointment, shoppers are asked to complete two body scans on their smartphone, which record multiple measurements. These are used to create a 3D model for the retailer’s fitting experts to review,
enabling them to make personalised recommendations for each customer. Founder Eloise Rigby, who started the business in September 2016, says her aim is to “banish the dread” of bra fitting: “Our improved online fitting service has been designed to replicate our coveted in-store experience,” she says. “We’re excited that the days of ‘making do’ could be over.” The Pantry Underwear first added free online bra fittings as a ‘shortterm solution’ during the pandemic, but the service has since become a core part of its offering. OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 9
EYEBROW BSA 2026
Shine bright THE BOUTIQUE STAR AWARDS 2026 SHORTLIST CELEBRATES THE BRILLIANT BUSINESSES MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN INDEPENDENT FASHION RETAIL
A
fter an incredible response from across the industry, we can finally reveal the shortlist for the Boutique Star Awards 2026. Spanning established names and exciting newcomers, this year’s finalists represent some of the most inspiring businesses and individuals working in independent fashion retail today. Now in their sixth year, the awards return with new categories for 2026, recognising
everything from trading resilience and crowdpleasing retail events to technology and outstanding store managers. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday 10 November at our celebratory event at London’s Victory Services Club. Tickets are on sale now, so join us as we raise a glass to another remarkable year in independent fashion retail. Here are this year’s finalists…
RETAILERS Fashion Independent of the Year Artichoke Attic Womenswear Cavells Courtyard Dotique Energy Clothing Indie’s Attic Maison et Vie Novello Pamela Shiffer Seasons Sue Parkinson
NEW: Independent Department Store of the Year SPONSORED BY CITY GODDESS Elphicks Elys Wimbledon Hoopers Dixons Menarys
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Social Media Strategy of the Year Ediit Kiti Margaux Pom London Rove London Wardrobe at the Cross
Manager of the Year
Jayne Johnson, Sue Parkinson Sophie Young, Dotique Sue Byrne, Wardrobe at the Cross
NEW: Retailer Event of the Year
Ashbourne’s Big Fashion Day Out, Young Ideas Group Brunch Club, Cavells Emily Powell artist pop-up, Aloft The Devil Wears Renes Fashion Show, Renes Fashion
New Independent Store of the Year SPONSORED BY INDX Ānela No55 Boutique The Edit White Coco, Harrogate The Wren Boutique
NEW: Resilient Retailer of the Year SPONSORED BY BIRA Cornucopia Home and Gift Energy Clothing Renes Fashion Sue Parkinson The Edit Wear Change
Online Shop of the Year Indie’s Attic Dotique Seasons The Pantry Underwear
EYEBROW BSA 2026
SUPPLIERS British Brand of the Year Ampersand Fragrances Goddiva Lily & Me Rose and Nancy
Fashion Agency of the Year SPONSORED BY HARROGATE FASHION WEEK AliOli The Agency Concrete-Concept Double H Agency Inside Out Agencies Just a Group Oldstrom
Conscious Brand of the Year Coco Beau London House of Kind Lily & Me Orientique SNVN TLC Sport
Womenswear Brand of the Year Fee G Foil Orientique Saint James Valery Vain
Emerging Brand of the Year SPONSORED BY INDX Coco Beau London Gold Trip House of Kind Pia Maria Rose and Nancy Stressa by Sarah
NEW: Tech Innovation of the Year Boardmans Goddiva Top to Toe
SPECIAL AWARDS Favourite Supplier (voted by Boutique magazine readers) Carol C Collections Chalk Joanna Edwards Agency Lily and Me Palladio Agency
Lifetime Achievement
Winner to be announced during awards ceremony
Outstanding Business SPONSORED BY CITY GODDESS
Winner to be announced during awards ceremony
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 11
FASHION FIX
boutique
Loves
FASHION AND ACCESSORIES WE’RE FALLING FOR THIS AW26
JOY TO THE WORLD
BRINGING THE DRAMA
Taking after-dark dressing to another level, Goddiva’s AW26 collection features sculpted silhouettes, corsetry and sheer fabrics alongside high-shine embellishment and luxe texture. Its Gold Rush gown is perfect for Christmas parties and seeing in the new year. £POA; Tel: 0208 599 5544 E: support@ citygoddess.co.uk citygoddess.co.uk
Featuring a knitted festive emblem, Mos Mosh’s Jorid jumper will bring joy and nostalgia to Christmas edits. Expect a boxy fit and 100 per cent responsibly sourced wool that’s been made to last. £POA; Tel: 07730 072 600 E: cp@mosmosh.com mosmosh.com
WARM WISHES
Christmas shoppers will stay cosy and stylish all winter in Joseph Ribkoff ’s faux mink chevron bucket hat. £POA; Tel: 07771 597 166 07734 942 382 E: nigel@aptcollections.ltd.uk/ claudia@aptcollections.ltd.uk
PARTY PERFECT
SOFT TOUCH
Knitted in a warm synthetic blend, Nümph’s Nuleika mittens are a great addon purchase for winter wardrobe browsers and Christmas gift shoppers this AW26. £POA; E: mas@numph.dk
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Designed to be worn for numerous occasions, Fee G’s AW26 collection features separates and dresses in luxe fabrics and feminine designs. Its fuchsia pink taffeta-sleeve Julianne dress is a standout for Christmas, bringing high-octane glamour and an unexpected colourway to festive dressing. £POA; Tel: +353 1460 6035 E: fiona@fee-g.com fee-g.com
EYEBROW
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FASHION FIX
SUMMER OF LOVE
Munich-based The Shirt Project blends its shirting expertise with modern casualwear throughout its SS27 collection. Dropping into stores across three key delivery dates, the season evolves from deniminfused spring freshness and botanical lightness to a vibrant high-summer finale. £POA; Tel: 0207 323 6652 E: info@genusfashion.com
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Perfect for a January refresh, Helio Ferretti’s perpetual desk calendar is made from durable acrylic with a sturdy MDF base for a gift that keeps on giving year after year. £6.25; faire.com
THIS MONTH’S STANDOUT WOMENSWEAR AND ACCESSORIES FEEL GOOD FASHION
Boasting playful prints and dopamine-boosting hues, the latest collection by British brand Never Fully Dressed offers indies a joyful injection of colour to add to their rails as the nights begin to draw in. £POA; neverfullydressed.com/pages/ wholesale-enquiries
SET THE SCENE
Containing a blend of pine needle, cedarwood and eucalyptus essential oils, Lord Fragrance House’s Abernethy Forest Triple Wick Candle is the perfect Christmas treat. Each comes inside a reusable vessel featuring handdrawn artwork that can be used again next year. £28.75; E: hello@lordsfragrancehouse.com 14 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
MADE TO MOVE
Danish label Masai has introduced a new everyday capsule for AW26 influenced by its own distinctive style. Designed for effortless off-duty dressing, the range combines soft, carefully selected fabrics with relaxed silhouettes that are easy to wear and style. £POA; Tel: 07387 124 035 E: lja@masai.dk
EYEBROW
London Showroom Fashion House 137, Essex Rd, N12SN
janice.tassell@jt-brand-studio.com marc@doublehagency.com t. 07539228041 OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 15
FASHION FIX
Eco chic SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS AND BRANDS
MERRY & BRIGHT
Made in the UK using organic cotton canvas, Alphabet Bags’ oversized Falalalala Lalalala tote is ideal for every festive errand from Christmas gift buying to the big food shop. £22; faire.com
BOXING DAY HERO
Sustainably made using 100 per cent recycled wool and polyamide, Armedangels’ oversized checked Barn Jacket is a stylish option for conscious shoppers venturing outside this AW26. £POA; E: seher.tetik@armedangels.com
TIME TO SPARKLE
SCENT FOR CHRISTMAS
Hand poured in London using coconut and rapeseed wax, Solei Studios’ Sleigh Ride candle is inspired by Christmas nights with pine notes lifted by refreshing eucalyptus. From £7; faire.com
COSY SEASON
Handcrafted by artisans using sustainably sourced doubleface sheepskin, Mou’s suede full eskimo stitch slippers are finished with its trademark hand-crochet wool stitching and flexible EVA rubber soles. £POA; Tel: 0208 421 7070 E: hayleyp@fabfootwear.net fabfootwear.net
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British brand Rose and Nancy adopts sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, recycled materials and deadstock to create its boho-inspired womenswear. The brand’s Bonnie Silver Hand Beaded Fringe Cape is perfect for boutique partywear edits. £POA; E: info@roseandnancy.com
EYEBROW
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FASHION FIX
Intimate
essentials
THE LATEST LINGERIE, SWIM AND RESORTWEAR TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT BUY WILD AT HEART
HIT REFRESH
Crafted in gold-toned leopard print fabric, Rosa Faia’s underwired Liz bra features Designed by Wolford and Aubade’s former creative soft black lace, three-part cups, padded straps, and a supportive powertulle back director, Gossard is resetting for comfortable and confident everyday for 2026 with a modern lingerie collection that blends heritage wear. £POA; Tel: 01908 524048 and innovation while celebrating E: anita.gb@anita.net real curves. £POA; Tel: 07887 730 754 E: angela.blundell@ concrete-concept.org/ essi.korhonen@ concrete-concept.org
NOTE PERFECT
Underpinned by the Parisian lingerie house’s Bossa Nova theme, Aubade is introducing an entry level underwear range for SS27. Sweet Desire boasts soft floral lace and elegant details including a rose-shaped gold jewel, satin lacing and floral guipure straps – all for more affordable price points. £POA; E: contact@aubadepro.com
GOOD LUXE
GOING UNDERCOVER
Stockholm-based underwear brand Understatement champions every woman through playful design and empowering image campaigns. Expect lace support bras and mesh bralettes in vibrant prints and hues. £POA; E: wholesale@understatement.se 18 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
Building on its 75-year heritage and commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability, luxury legwear brand Wolford continues to evolve with its SS27 collection. Buyers can expect expertly designed hosiery, socks, lingerie, shapewear and ready to wear garments crafted to the highest standard for modern shoppers. £POA; Tel: 07887 730 754 E: angela.blundell@concrete-concept.org
EYEBROW
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 19
MANDY BARR
Fashions
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+44 7368 175176
ukinfo@franklyman.com
Stock Up
EYEBROW
FEE G
WHAT TO BUY NOW
SPREADING MAGIC Christmas comes but once a year – and in retail, it’s starting earlier than ever. This month we pick out some unique gift ideas that are perfect for independents alongside versatile partywear that will still sell long after the decks come down… OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 21
CHRISTMAS GIFTING
Independent Christmas THE SEASON’S BEST GIFTS FROM INDIE-FRIENDLY BRANDS Elevate sustainable edits with
CAMBRIDGE IMPRINT ’s Fancy Suffolk Angels Gift Tags, £POA Keep reading glasses safe and stylish with PIECES ’ metallic faux leather case, £POA
Elevate stockings with
Crafted in organic wool, ARMEDANGELS ’ knitted beanie is a conscious choice for Christmas shoppers, £POA
SAMSØE SAMSØE ’s Saaudreys lingerie set, £POA
BLACK&BEECH ’s Damn Rebel Bitch Mug will brighten up any morning routine, £8.96
Handmade with Swarovski elements, CAROLINE SVEDBOM ’s Gemma ring will bring sparkle to Christmas edits, £POA
Make a splash with BARBOUR ’s classic waterproof Cynthia Chelsea boots, £POA
BLOOMINGVILLE ’s stoneware Merry-go-round jar is the perfect gift for foodies and bakers, £POA
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CHRISTMAS GIFTING
Bows aren’t just for wrapping gifts thanks to ESSENTIEL ANTWERP ’s jewel-encrusted hair accessory, £POA
GOLD TRIP ’s Star and Moon Earrings are a real festive season showstopper, £POA
KKNEKKI ’s woven hair bands combine serious hold with snag-free styling, £POA
ARCHIVIST ’s Mistletoe Matches have been specially designed to spark Christmas joy, £3.75
Update festive centrepieces with TALKING TABLES ’ Ceramic Koi Candle Holder, £POA
BON PARFUMEUR ’s Myrrh Shadow extrait de parfum combines woody notes with subtle vanilla undertones, £POA
SAMSØE SAMSØE has reimagined its classic Sakaia shoulder bag in festive red, £POA
Make Christmas extra special with MOU ’s hand-sewn Eskimo 24 Morning Star Panel Boots, £POA
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 23
CHRISTMAS GIFTING MALINA ’s Tekla Hair Clip is a luxe option for everyday hair styling, £POA
Gift a classic card game with
TALKING TABLES ’ timeless Cribbage set, £POA
NÜMPH ’s hooded scarf is a practical gifting choice for fashion fans, £POA MSCH COPENHAGEN ’s Arabian Spice Hope sweater will be appreciated all winter, £POA
Go wild this Christmastime with JOSEPH RIBKOFF ’s faux fur leopard print mittens, £POA
Socks just got a sparkly Christmas upgrade thanks to ESSENTIEL ANTWERP ’s embellished Argylepattern pair, £POA Keep warm in a cold snap with CHALK ’s chocolate Chestfield Ear Muffs, £POA
BIALETTI X DOLCE&GABBANA Sicilian Cart Moka Express is the ultimate gift for coffee lovers, £42.50
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CHRISTMAS GIFTING CAROLINE SVEDBOM ’s Mini Drop Necklace is the perfect affordable gifting option for all ages, £POA
Help them achieve their dreams with HELIO FERRETTI ’s whimsical coin purse, £6.25
Light up Christmas Day with HEATHER EVELYN ’s classic candles, £7.50
Go back in time with NEWGATE ’s midcentury inspired Pluto Wall Clock, £POA
AMPERSAND FRAGRANCES are made in England in small batches for a unique gift idea, £POA
LEATHERSMITH OF LONDON takes new-year planning to another level with its handmade calf leather The Berkeley diary, £POA
Crafted in certified organic satin cotton, YONDER ’s Ginger Gingham PJs are perfect for lounging, £48
MICHELLE CORVANE ’s silk viscose Kimono in red hydrangea print will bring retro glamour to any outfit, £POA
ARMEDANGELS E: seher.tetik@armedangels.com, AMPERSAND ampersandfragrances.com/become-a-stockist, ARCHIVIST faire.com, BARBOUR E: sales@barbour.com, BIALETTI faire.com, BLACK&BEECH faire.com, BLOOMINGVILLE bloomingville.com/en/retailer, BON PARFUMEUR E: rufus@thegoodsagency.co.uk, CAMBRIDGE IMPRINT cambridgeimprint.co.uk/trade, CAROLINE SVEDBOM Tel: 07778 158 986 E: info@oldstrom.com, CHALK chalkuk.com, ESSENTIEL ANTWERP E: anais.pentelow-smith@essentiel.be, GOLD TRIP E: hello@goldtrip.co, HEATHER EVELYN faire.com, KKNEKKI E: ditte@bondep.com, LEATHERSMITH OF LONDON E: webshop@leathersmith.co.uk, MALINA E: sales@bymalina.com, MICHELLE CORVANE E: janet@bglobal-group.com, MOU E: g.donati@artcrafts.it, MSCH COPENHAGEN Tel: 07778 158 986 E: info@oldstrom.com, NEWGATE newgateworld.com/pages/trade-application, NÜMPH E: mas@numph.dk, PIECES E: amalie.skjerning@bestseller.com, SAMSØE SAMSØE E: vitus@samsoe.com, TALKING TABLES trade.talkingtables.co.uk/pages/trade-application-form, YONDER faire.com OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 25
E
DUCTONS O RE N
L AL
EASTERN COUNTIES LEATHER
HU G
EYEBROW
EST. 1879
LEATHER & SHEEPSKIN
SALES@ECLEATHER.CO.UK
WWW.ECLTRADE.CO.UK NO MIN ORDER | NO PACK SIZES
26 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
LEATHER BAGS & PURSES
NEW! WAX WARMERS • Use with Both Wax Melts & Serene Pod®
Aroma Diffusers Wax Warmers No Spill Wax Melts Passive Diffusers Car Scent Diffusers and More sales@serenehouse.eu | www.serenehouse.eu
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 27
CHRISTMAS PARTYWEAR
CARDIGAN, MUNTHE, £POA
STAR BRACELET, GOLD TRIP, £POA
FRINGED BAG, MARC CAIN, £POA
Night Mode
VIDA SCARF DRESS, MALINA, £POA
FAUX FUR COAT, RIXO, £POA
ISOLINA EARRINGS, CAROLINE SVEDBOM, £POA
STEP INTO CHRISTMAS WITH AW26’S STANDOUT PARTYWEAR AND ACCESSORIES
F
orget festive traditions: this year’s party season fashion receives a modern refresh with rich hues, unexpected combinations and statement textures. From powder blue and lilac to fringes and organza, the latest pieces will bring glamour to your rails without becoming redundant come January…
SHOULDER BAG, MARC CAIN, £POA
JEANS, JOSEPH RIBKOFF, £POA BOW SKIRT, ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, £POA SLIP DRESS, NÜMPH, £POA
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CHRISTMAS PARTYWEAR ORGANZA TOP, BITTE KAI RAND, £POA
EMBELLISHED SKIRT, JOSEPH RIBKOFF, £POA
JACKET, MOS MOSH, £POA LACE TOP, JOSEPH RIBKOFF, £POA
SEQUIN DRESS, MOS MOSH, £POA
EARRINGS, RIXO, £POA
FRINGED SKIRT, MOS MOSH, £POA
TULLE SKIRT, BITTE KAI RAND, £POA
DRESS, ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, £POA
JEWELLED FLATS, MARC CAIN, £POA
TROUSERS, MARC CAIN, £POA
BITTE KAI RAND Tel: 07778 158 986 E: info@oldstrom.com, CAROLINE SVEDBOM Tel: 07778 158 986 E: info@oldstrom.com, ESSENTIEL ANTWERP E: anais.pentelow-smith@essentiel.be, GOLD TRIP E: hello@goldtrip.co, JOSEPH RIBKOFF Tel: 07771 597 166/ 07734 942 382 E: nigel@aptcollections.ltd.uk/ claudia@aptcollections.ltd.uk, MALINA E: sales@bymalina.com, MARC CAIN E: mc.agency.uk@marc-cain.com, MOS MOSH Tel: 07730 072 600 E: cp@mosmosh.com mosmosh.com, MUNTHE Tel: 0045 3332 0012 E: direct@munthe.com, NÜMPH E: mas@numph.dk, RIXO E: wholesale@rixo.co.uk, SAMSØE SAMSØE E: vitus@samsoe.com OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 29
30 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
EYEBROW
Telephone: 07342073889 Email: info@samanthajanewholesale.com Wholesale: www.samanthajanewholesale.com - Password protected Please contact for details.
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 31
PARTYWEAR
It’s party time! SHORT ORDER FASHION THAT’S PERFECT FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON GODDIVA
Offering a party dress for every festive occasion, Goddiva’s After Dark Brings collection celebrates the drama of occasionwear as its designers draw inspiration from the season’s biggest trends. Buyers can choose from a wide range of styles to suit all shoppers and ages, with silhouettes ranging from flattering midi and maxi dresses to fitted and bodycon party styles. Expect sculpted silhouettes, high-shine embellishment and luxurious textures in classic festive hues such as black, red, emerald, navy and burgundy alongside gold, silver and champagne. With a focus on glamour and confidence, key details include sequin embellishments, sparkle finishes, off-shoulder and asymmetric necklines, elegant draping and statement sleeves. Wholesale prices range from £15 - £35 per piece while the minimum order requirement is £150. CONTACT: Tel: 0208 597 2744 citygoddess.co.uk
SAMANTHA JANE
Since its successful SS26 debut, female-founded occasionwear label Samantha Jane has been gaining traction among independents with its mood-boosting dresses and separates offered in simple shapes and tactile fabrics. The British brand offers a unique point of difference for the festive period, with its modern, generously cut garments offered at affordable price points. Its short order range includes dresses with sequins, beadwork and delicate embellishments. Expect designs influenced by catwalk trends with tactile fabrics such as lace and satin sitting alongside maximalist details and embellishments. Flattering fit and flare silhouettes are key this season alongside long column dresses. Meanwhile, the label has refreshed its past bestsellers in new colours and prints to maximise sell-through potential. Order selected pieces before 31 October to receive a discount of up to 25 per cent please contact the brand directly for information; wholesale prices are around £100 per piece on average while there is no minimum order requirement. CONTACT: Tel: 07474 957 955 E: info@samanthajanewholesale.com samanthajanewholesale.com
FEE G
Award-winning occasionwear label Fee G has unveiled a party-perfect collection for AW26 spanning festive sequins and evening dresses alongside statement coats and elegant blouses. Titled The Art of Balance, the range features timeless neutrals as well as jewel tones that offer an alternative to traditional party season palettes. Dresses take centre stage, with standouts including the plush velvet and rich satin Harriet with a lace-trim collar, the Kate with statement shoulders and gathered sleeves (pictured) as well as the Camila, which offers full-length evening glamour with intricate beading and adjustable tie straps. Elsewhere, the range includes sparkle blazers, coordinating trousers and waistcoats - offering a fresh approach to festive season dressing. There's also a belted magenta coat in 100 per cent wool as well as an oversized faux fur jacket to complete the look. CONTACT: Tel: +353 1 460 6035 E: fiona@fee-g.com fee-g.com 32 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
EYEBROW
www.fee-g.com Sales: Diane Sykes 07906 070081
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 33
BRAND SPOTLIGHT
Making of an icon JOSEPH RIBKOFF’S NEW A-LIST SIGNING PROMISES TO BRING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO THE HERITAGE BRAND THIS AUTUMN
E
lizabeth Hurley’s most notable sartorial choice is probably that Versace safety pin dress she wore to accompany Hugh Grant on the red carpet in 1994. Yet for AW26 she’s stepping into a new style era as the face of Canadian womenswear brand Joseph Ribkoff. This season, the British model, actress and fashion entrepreneur appears in a new global campaign for the 70-year-
34 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
old label. Part of a fresh creative vision guided by the philosophy ‘Elegance in motion,’ Hurley is photographed by Jake Rosenberg in a series of shots for its Fall 2026 campaign: She Icons. The brand’s team says the 61-year-old perfectly embodies “the values of Joseph Ribkoff ’s next chapter” with her “confidence, authenticity and effortless sophistication that reflect the spirit of today’s Joseph Ribkoff woman.”
BRAND SPOTLIGHT
President and CEO Stephen Belfer says: “This marks a defining moment in the history of the brand. Building on the strength of our global wholesale business, this next chapter allows us to deepen our connection with customers while expanding how they experience the brand. Together with our renewed brand vision, it positions Joseph Ribkoff for continued global growth and long-term success.” The new campaign brings a range of potential benefits to its UK stockist base - from increased brand exposure and consumer awareness to shifting perceptions of the collection. It also marks the label’s first foray into global B2C via its digital platform in over 60 countries. “Elizabeth Hurley as the face of Joseph Ribkoff is already gaining positive attention from shoppers,” says Nigel Hughes, co-founder of UK sales
representative Apt Collections. “It is changing people’s perception of the heritage brand and we’re really excited that this global campaign will help support our loyal independent stockists who are instrumental to the label’s success. “As an aspirational woman who is also relatable, this will hopefully reach a new audience - if not the next generation - and drive them towards the brand and their independent stockists.” He adds: “Retailers are always looking to attract new customers, and this reworking of a much-loved label can only be a positive step for womenswear independents.” Wholesale prices range from £80-115 per piece. The SS27 collection will show at Joseph Ribkoff, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 40-41 Great Castle Street, London, W1W 8LU, from Monday 14 September.
CONTACT: Tel: 07771 597 166/ 07734 942 382 E: nigel@aptcollections.ltd.uk OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 35
EYEBROW
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Down to Business INSIGHT FOR FASHION INDIES
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY The festive season is fast approaching - and for indies, the groundwork has already begun. This month, our experts share their advice for making Christmas 2026 a commercial success - from managing stock and merchandising to keeping staff morale high during peak trading… OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 37
CHRISTMAS PROMOTIONS
Festive retail checklist 13 WAYS TO GET YOUR STORE READY FOR THE CHRISTMAS RUSH
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eeling overwhelmed by the impending festive season? From finessing your stock to preparing your team for the rush, we’ve asked the experts for their best tips on how to get organised…
1. Make a list (and check it twice)
A successful Christmas in retail takes a lot of preparation. According to retail expert Clare Bailey (retailchampion.co.uk), it’s a good idea to start with a timeline of dates that will influence how and when customers shop: “Think carefully about parties and Christmas events they might attend as well as last posting dates, payday and those final frantic shopping days,” she says. “Once you’ve mapped out the season ahead, you can plan your stock, marketing and staffing requirements accordingly.”
2. Cater for all pockets
With shoppers likely to be keeping a close eye on budgets this Christmas, retail consultant Catherine Erdly, who offers indies a personalised stock strategy service (resilientretailclub.com), suggests creating gift edits at different key price points: "This will also 38 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
provide you with a really useful framework for stock planning," she says, “while being really useful for customers with different budgets." To plan how much stock to commit to each level, she recommends reviewing last year’s sales figures: “You could group together the amount you sold by price band and use that as a rough guide for how much stock to buy. For example, if 50 per cent of your sales came from items that were over £200, then about half of your spend this year should be on items above that price point.”
3. Keep it simple
Christmas shoppers are often buying for a long list of recipients, so the experts recommend making present finding as straightforward as possible. Fashion brand consultant and podcast host Elizabeth Stiles (elizabethstiles.co.uk) advises retailers to create “really specific edits” around the person: “For example, ‘For the sister who has everything’, ‘the person who’s impossible to buy for’ or ‘Secret Santa gifts under £20.’” She adds: “I wouldn’t be afraid of being really specific. The more clearly you can place a product into someone’s life, the less work the customer has to do themselves.”
CHRISTMAS PROMOTIONS 6. Utilise your windows
Retail windows are especially important at Christmas time. But according to visual merchandising specialist Sarah Manning (visualmerchandisingconsultant.co.uk), any display you create needs to make its point quickly above all else: “Passers-by make a decision within a few seconds whether to stop, so your window needs one clear message rather than trying to showcase everything at once,” she says. “Choose colour tones that elevate the display depending on your brand. I usually work to the principle of selecting a maximum of three key colours per scheme. Props don’t need to be expensive: decorative boxes, ribbons, oversized baubles or winter branches can add scale and drama without distracting from the merchandise. Your products should always remain the hero.”
7. Create gifting destinations
4. Keep partywear tight
Sparkly dresses and festive fashion can inject excitement into windows and rails, but Erdly warns against going too deep on anything with a limited lifespan. “You do need some sparkle to draw people in, but I would keep it tight,” she says. “Look at how much partywear you sold last year and then buy accordingly. One thing I recommend retailers to consider is whether it would be worse to run out of something or be left with too much. Generally speaking, you wouldn't want to run out of the basics - so go deeper on anything you know will carry over until after Christmas instead."
5. Take action
Likewise, to avoid heavy post-Christmas discounting, the retail expert suggests keeping a close eye on numbers early on: “In November, look at the amount of festive stock you’re holding divided by your average weekly sales to give you an idea of how many weeks’ worth you have,” she says. “If you’ve got six months’ worth of Christmas stock left six weeks ahead of your final sales day, consider running a mid-season offer. This will allow you to clear some stock at a smaller discount instead of 50 per cent off during the endof-season sale. If you look at the bigger retailers, I guarantee any slow-moving partywear will be discounted around Black Friday.”
Once inside the store, make your Christmas gifting offer clear from the start. Manning also suggests merchandising gifts according to price point and recipient type: “Position these along the main customer journey rather than hiding them at the back of the store,” she says. “The first few metres inside the entrance should immediately communicate that Christmas has arrived and make gift shopping feel effortless.” Stiles agrees, adding: “Even putting readymade gift boxes together can work really well because you're showing someone a complete solution rather than asking them to choose three separate products themselves.”
8. Make shopping easy for all
At The Dressing Room, owner Deryane Tadd has several tricks to help partners and family members who don’t ordinarily shop at her store buy more confidently. “We offer a wish list service for our customers both in-store and online,” she explains. “The customer can create this and share it with whoever they choose.” But even if there’s no wish list to rely on for inspiration, shoppers can still count on the store’s gift concierge service to help them find the right present. “We really know our customers, so if the gift buyer tells us the recipient’s name, we can tailor the advice to that person,” she says. “We can also look at their purchase history and make suggestions based on their individual preferences.”
9. Elevate the experience
Meanwhile, at the St Albans store, late night shopping has become more of an annual event rather than simply opening the doors for longer: “We don’t tend to operate extended opening hours as we open seven days a week,” says Tadd. “Instead, however, run an out-ofhours Christmas event. We make this very experiencebased and work with our brands to bring some retail theatre to life in store.” OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 39
CHRISTMAS PROMOTIONS
10. Spread the word
It may seem obvious, but ensuring customers can easily access practical purchase and returns information is crucial for making sure you don’t miss a sale – especially online: “Make all your buying information incredibly obvious,” says Stiles. “Last order dates, delivery times, gift wrapping, gift receipts, returns and exchanges all help remove those little moments of hesitation that can stop somebody checking out.”
11. Win last-minute shoppers
In the last days before Christmas, local bricks-and-mortar shops can offer something online competitors and large city multiples perhaps can’t: immediacy and convenience. “Tap into this strength by making your physical shop the easiest place to solve a problem,” says Bailey. “At the final hour before Christmas, customers aren’t necessarily looking for inspiration – they need solutions.” The expert recommends stocking beautifully wrapped gifts that are “ready to go” to create a competitive advantage: “Communicate it loudly,” she adds. “Social media, email, Google Business Profile and your shop window should all scream: ‘we have it, you can see it, you can buy it, and you can take it home today.’”
12. Prepare your team
The expert also suggests making sure staff are ready for the season well ahead of peak trading: “Get rotas and additional cover sorted early,” she says. “Also provide a commercial Christmas briefing: what are the key products and best gift options? What has good margin, what can be crosssold and what questions are customers most likely to ask?” Meanwhile, she advises store owners to do their best to keep morale high. “Make sure you plan for breaks, food, water, coffee and even mulled wine at closing time. A frazzled salesperson does not create a great customer experience.” 40 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
13. Think about January early
The days after Christmas can be an anti-climax, so give shoppers a reason to return: “Be careful about making January only about discounting,” says Bailey. “Offer shoppers newness, styling inspiration, exclusives, an event, a preview or something they cannot get by waiting for a price reduction.” Tadd agrees, adding: “Post-Christmas is an important time for us at The Dressing Room. Our regular customers move on quickly and want newness, so it’s a crucial time to introduce something that has a ‘buy now, wear now’ feel.”
Christmas countdown SEPTEMBER: Finalise your festive trading plan, staffing and key promotions.
OCTOBER: Start teasing gifting and partywear across your marketing.
NOVEMBER: Launch Christmas windows and gift edits, and monitor seasonal stock closely.
DECEMBER: Switch the focus to convenience, availability and last-minute gifting.
POST-CHRISTMAS: Bring in newness
quickly and give customers a reason to return beyond the sale.
BUSINESS
“The best licensing doesn’t feel like a licence” SPRING FAIR’S FAY TRANTER ON WHY COLLABORATIONS DESERVE A CLOSER LOOK
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ashion has always been influenced by what is happening in culture, and right now I think licensing is becoming a much more interesting part of that conversation. We’re seeing nostalgia continue to shape fashion, with the influence of the 1990s and early 2000s particularly strong. At the same time, recognisable names and visual identities - from Smiley, Snoopy and Hello Kitty to RHS prints and Liberty London - are finding new relevance across fashion and accessories. Prints, graphics and collaborations are having a real moment, taking something familiar and reinterpreting it in a way that feels fresh and contemporary. Consumers are buying these products because they connect with an interest, memory or part of their identity. Limited editions, collectable collaborations and product drops can strengthen that connection further, creating excitement, urgency and a reason to come back for what comes next. For independents operating in an incredibly competitive market, that presents an interesting commercial opportunity. The right collaboration can give a familiar category a completely new reason to buy, create a talking point in-store or online and potentially introduce a retailer to an entirely new customer.
But there is an important distinction: don’t buy into a licence simply because it’s famous. The product obviously comes first, and it should always resonate with your customer base. That’s where I think licensing becomes particularly exciting for fashion retail. It isn't limited to global entertainment franchises - artists, illustrators, designers, heritage brands, archives, distinctive prints and cultural collaborations can all provide inspiration, with the result often feeling much closer to a fashion collaboration than traditional licensed merchandise. And licensing isn’t only about looking backwards. Culture moves quickly and KPop Demon Hunters is a great recent example of how rapidly a cultural phenomenon can translate into demand for products and collaborations. For buyers, that makes looking ahead important too. What will your customer be watching, listening to and talking about in the coming months? Which films, TV series, music events, launches, anniversaries or revivals could influence what they want to wear? Understanding what's coming, and where it connects with your customer, can help identify an opportunity before it becomes ubiquitous.
We can already see growing retailer interest. More than 4,000 Spring Fair buyers have identified licensing as a core area of interest, and for 2027 we are significantly expanding licensing at the show, bringing brand owners, designers, artists, agents and licensees together with retailers. Fashion buyers shouldn’t dismiss licensing but view it through a fashion lens instead. Because the best licensing doesn’t feel like a licence - it feels like a great product that happens to have a great story behind it. Fay Tranter is event director for Spring Fair. To find out more about the show’s next edition from 7-10 February visit springfair.com
OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 41
DOWN TO BUSINESS
Deck the halls FROM FESTIVE WINDOWS TO STYLING IDEAS, NORTHBANKS’ FOUNDER JAMES NORTH SHARES HIS TOP TIPS FOR MAXIMISING CHRISTMAS PARTY SEASON
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t’s a scenario womenswear independents experience all the time: a customer pops in for something to wear, she’s busy and not quite sure what suits her. The staff give her a warm welcome, a helpful suggestion and an honest opinion; she leaves with something she loves and a mental note to visit again. Womenswear indies are particularly good at creating these kinds of shopping experiences. You know your customers, understand how your products fit and can style pieces together in ways they may have never considered. At Christmas, that knowledge should be the star of the show - from the first glimpse of your window to the conversation at the till.
Windows that wow
A strong Christmas window starts with a simple concept that feels right for your store. That might be festive entertaining, party dressing or a cosy winter weekend. A theme makes it much easier to decide what belongs and, just as importantly, what doesn’t. Carry a few of those details through to your displays, wrapping and social posts and the whole thing starts to feel joined up. 42 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
Ultimately, your window needs to give someone a reason to stop. You don’t necessarily need an elaborate installation to do that: one beautifully dressed mannequin, a strong colour combination and a few well-chosen props can tell the story. The product should always be the hero, though. If shoppers notice the decorations before the clothes, it’s probably time to pare things back. And before you spend money adding anything, step outside and look at the shop as a customer would. Clean glass, well-steamed garments and properly dressed mannequins cost very little but make an enormous difference. Come back after dark, too, when the lighting can completely change how a display looks. Make sure prices are easy to find and refresh the window as key pieces sell through rather than leaving gaps or displaying something you can no longer sell. Simple materials such as paper stars and ribbon can have just as much impact as expensive props especially mixed with display pieces you already own. You could also work with a local florist or maker to create something distinctive. And if windows are something you always struggle with, a session with a
DOWN TO BUSINESS visual merchandiser can be money well spent. Ask for something your team can maintain and refresh, then store the props carefully afterwards so they can earn their keep again next Christmas.
Step into Christmas
The experience shouldn’t end at the window. Once customers step inside the shop, give them a little room to settle in rather than confronting them with packed rails and displays. Keep the entrance clear, make sure there’s enough room to move comfortably around the products and create something appealing further inside to draw people through the space. Christmas is also a good time to merchandise for what shoppers are buying for rather than simply by product or brand. Think parties, Christmas lunch, drinks with friends or easy gifts. Mixing labels comes into its own here because you can show shoppers the complete outfit rather than expecting them to piece it together themselves. Keep the individual items close by and you’ve made that inspiration easy to shop. The less glamorous details matter too. Overfilled rails are frustrating, poor fitting-room lighting can kill a sale and nobody wants to juggle a handbag and an armful of clothes while trying things on. Hooks, somewhere to put a bag and music low enough to have a conversation all contribute to how comfortable the shop feels. Add a warm greeting without pouncing and customers have space to browse before your team steps in with advice.
Stocking fillers
Good styling advice can naturally turn one purchase into two without making the customer feel they’re being sold to. If someone loves a dress, show them the knit, jacket or accessory that gives them another way to wear it. Make sure the team knows a couple of styling options for key pieces too, including how they could work with things customers might already own. Gifting certainly shouldn’t be overlooked either. A small, well-edited display near the till can capture those last few presents without overwhelming the counter. Keep prices obvious, make the products easy to pick up and consider gift wrapping if you have the capacity. In November and December, anything that makes life easier for a time-poor shopper is a win. Of course, even the best displays can unravel when the shop gets busy. A quick reset each day will stop rails becoming chaotic and gifting tables looking picked over. Replenish what’s selling, move things that aren’t and pay attention to the questions customers keep asking. If five people have struggled to find the same thing, chances are the sixth will, too.
Festive cheer
Christmas shouldn’t be treated as a one-off transaction. While customers are shopping in December, think about what might bring them back in January. That could be a styling appointment, a preview of new arrivals or simply ideas for wearing their Christmas purchase through the rest of winter. It doesn’t need to feel like a marketing exercise; often it can just be part of the conversation you’re already having. The same goes for social media. Rather than simply asking customers to follow you, give them a reason to. If you regularly share new deliveries, outfit ideas or quick styling videos, tell them. It keeps your store in their mind long after they’ve walked out of the door and gives you another opportunity to show them what’s new. Most importantly, keep that same level of care going once the festive rush is over. Share useful ideas, remember conversations and give returning customers the same warm welcome. Next time they need an outfit or a gift, you want them to think: “I’ll pop in there, they’ll know exactly what to suggest…” James North is the founder of London-based retail and brand experience agency Northbanks, whose previous client list includes Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Find out how it can help indie retailers maximise their shop floor at northbanks.co.uk
Five festive fixes 1. Start from the street
Step outside and look at your window. Make sure the product, rather than the props, grabs attention first.
2. Sell the occasion
Merchandise around Christmas lunches, parties and gifting rather than sticking to brands or categories.
3. Style the complete look
Give key pieces a couple of outfit options so your team can make useful, natural suggestions and encourage extra purchases.
4. Make gifting easy
Create a small, well-edited gifting area with obvious prices and products shoppers can pick up quickly.
5. Reset and rethink
Give displays and rails a quick refresh every day. Replenish what’s working and move anything customers are struggling to find.
CONTACT: Tel: 02079 938 066 E: hello@northbanks.co.uk OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 43
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Rails 44 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026 Bespoke fixtures and furniture sourcing by Northbanks
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Shop Talk INDUSTRY OPINION MADELEINE JAMES
DOWN TO A FINE ART Positioned on a busy street in the creative seaside town of Margate, Margaux has built a loyal following with its distinctive mix of lesser-known labels and quirky finds. Here founder Madeleine James reveals how she knows when she’s found something special and why her “magic windows” are the talk of the town… OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 47
SHOP TALK
“If I see something and it makes my heart flutter, I know I’m onto a winner” MARGAUX FOUNDER MADELEINE JAMES ON CURATION, MARGATE’S ART SCENE AND HOW A PLASTIC DOLL FROM JAPAN CHANGED HER LIFE FOREVER
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ositioned on a busy thoroughfare in the buzzy seaside town of Margate, womenswear indie Margaux and recently opened sister store Pearl offer shoppers a unique mix of brands for the wardrobe and home. Here owner Madeleine James, who opened the first shop seven years ago after migrating from London, shares the story behind its inception, how it has evolved and what’s next for the thriving business…
What did you do before becoming an independent retailer?
My career has been incredibly varied, but it’s always been underpinned by a real passion for fashion, vintage design and a strong desire to do things differently. I initially studied fashion design but quickly realised it wasn’t the route I wanted to take. So, after a stint as a theatrical agent looking after actors and voiceover artists, I opened a vintage stall on Greenwich Market long before vintage fashion was really a thing. Later, I worked for a large buying group sourcing for major department stores like Selfridges, Saks and Bloomingdales. Then, after moving to the South of France and coming back again, I found myself as a single mother wondering what to do with my slightly unconventional expertise. In 2003, I opened an online shop selling vintage toys and hard-to-find pieces inspired by my own childhood in the 1960s. 48 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
SHOP TALK
What was your first physical shop?
My first bricks-and-mortar business was a vintage clothes shop before I opened Lapin and Me on London’s Columbia Road. It sold a mix of homeware and designled childrenswear products, all with a vintage aesthetic. One day, completely by chance, a friend who was working as an air stewardess showed me a plastic doll she’d found in Japan. I realised it was something really quite special as soon as I saw it. I made it my mission to find it for the shop, trawling the internet for almost a year and getting text translated into English to find the right contact. After months of getting nowhere, I finally received a reply from the factory that made it. As it turned out, the doll was manufactured by a fifth-generation producer in Tokyo.
What happened next?
I flew out to Japan and ordered 360 units. It was a lot of plastic dolls for a small business, but my investment paid off. I was soon shipping them all over the world. Over the years we sold thousands and had a waiting list and cult following. I also expanded the range, adding new colours and products such as a lamp and money box. But when lots of cheap, sometimes dangerous, copies began infiltrating the market from China, I began feeling disheartened and decided it was time for a change.
Why did you open Margaux?
About eight years after launching Lapin and Me, I sold my house in London and moved to Margate. It’s not too far away and is full of cool, interesting and creative people. One day I took a different route to the train station and walked past an empty retail unit. Signing the lease was quite an impromptu decision, but I felt
there was something different I could bring to the area to make it work - even when another shopkeeper on the street told me business was terrible. Margaux opened in February 2019.
What do you do differently?
I think we stand out because of our unique mix of brands. I don’t buy anything mass produced or brands that are overly well-known. Our distinctive edit is often the first thing customers notice when they come in. When I buy, I’ll visit as many showrooms as possible, pulling together pieces from different labels to create our own stories. But being completely different is becoming increasingly difficult – fewer independent brands go to trade shows because it’s so expensive. I always have an eye out wherever I go and also online.
How has Margate evolved since you opened?
There was an initial influx of Londoners moving here before the pandemic, then covid came and lots more arrived. Some moved back and it naturally settled down, but it’s really helped the retail scene. There’s a real buzz about the place and lots of coffee shops and independents. Tracey Emin also moved back here full-time, and she’s set up a residency programme to help young artists. There’s also an off-season art trail to support businesses during the colder months. It’s not too corporate and has a very gentle, unique feel that’s very different to other coastal towns. Even Madonna’s a big fan! OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 49
SHOP Where do you buy for Margaux?
I visit key showrooms in London and Paris. I try to see everything first before I place an order but it’s difficult as the books close in the UK much earlier than they do in France. I attend Who’s Next each season, which is much later than the UK shows, and look for smaller collections and ideally a UK exclusive. Sometimes you find it and sometimes you don’t. Other times you’ll see something and feel it isn’t right, then spot it again a few seasons later and it’s evolved into the exact thing you have been searching for. I also attend Scoop in London, but I feel the show is focused more heavily on the higher priced collections.
What are your main buying criteria?
Honestly, it’s mostly gut feeling. If I see something and it makes my heart flutter, I know I’m onto a winner. It’s a thrill to discover a new brand that you absolutely love and can’t wait for six months to go by to get it into the shop. That said, I do have to be realistic when buying and I can’t necessarily always have all the brands I love. Margaux carries a mix of price points, so I might choose one high-end collection and then bring in five more that are more affordable. But our pieces will always offer value and have strong appeal regardless of price, which is why I’ve chosen them. Often the lower priced pieces will fly out, and those same customers will return and start to see the value in the more expensive pieces. For me, beautiful clothing is like artwork and that’s the message I try to convey.
What are your best-selling brands?
We have a real mix of small labels that sell really well. Neon Rose and Dr Bloom are both really great for us. We also brought in The Tiny Big Sister last year and it sold brilliantly. The brand’s autumn collection is phenomenal – it arrived last week, and we’d already sold one of each item by the third day! Le Bon Shoppe socks have a huge following and we sell so many that we have a dedicated sock wall. We stock many colours – Kelly Osbourne came in recently and bought a few pairs. The Jackson Bags from Paris always create excitement among customers and I love the story behind the brand. We also have a great card selection; Eat the Moon’s creations are particularly popular among our customers.
Are you introducing anything new for AW26?
London brand Cubic sold well during the summer so we’re bringing it in again this season. Sisters Dept. from Porto in Portugal has also been exceptional and we’re bringing in another new brand in January that I can’t wait to get in store. 50 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
How do you organise your edit?
I create mood boards so I can visualise all the stock I’ve bought from each brand alongside an Excel sheet containing style names, categories and prices. I used to keep everything in my head and create the edit that way, but I’ve realised this is a much better way to keep track of everything and make sure I use the budget effectively. I’m always considering how it will be merchandised in-store. That’s a really important part of retail for me as I’ll often change up the shop floor and windows every couple of days. We’re positioned on the road that runs in and out of town, so everyone sees what we put in there. I receive regular messages about our ‘magic windows,’ and they often cause stock to completely sell out within hours.
You’ve just opened a second shop - Pearl - next door. What can you tell us about the launch?
When I took on the unit for Margaux, it also came with the shop next door. It wasn’t connected and because of the layout it wasn’t possible to open it up as one big store, so I rented out the space to artists and vintage sellers. I’d been considering how we could utilise it for Margaux, and last year we began testing it as a space to showcase some of our own brands. It didn’t quite work - I found people would walk past it thinking they’d already been in. So, I decided to open a sister homewares shop based on a similar ethos to Margaux: small, independent brands offering unique pieces that you can’t get everywhere - only for the home. We only launched last week, and we’ve started slowly, offering a small edit at first which we’ll keep updating. I’m very excited about Christmas – I’ve ordered some amazing stock and I’ve created some really lovely little stories. I’m really looking forward to getting it all in.
SHOP
Is the Pearl customer different to Margaux?
It’s early days so it’s difficult to say, but I expect it to attract a similar shopper. We have a really interesting mix of people coming into Margaux of all ages. Margate in general has quite a varied population whether it's locals, ex-Londoners or out-of-towners. Sometimes I’ll buy something with a younger person in mind, and it’ll get snapped up by a really cool 50-year-old. I couldn’t pinpoint our typical customer because there isn’t one.
What challenges are you currently facing as an independent retailer? Keeping the business going - especially out of season. Margate doesn’t go to a complete ghost town, but it does get quieter in the winter. Parking isn’t easy at any time of year, which I know is an issue everywhere. The cost of living crisis has had an impact on everything too, so I’m mindful about offering lower price points. We have great support from the local community and it’s not always about spending money – people can just buy a card or tell their friends about us and that goes a long way.
Are there any changes you’d like to see to support small businesses?
I’ve never sought any government support, but I’d really like to see something done about the spiralling business costs that are crippling small shops. Our water bill alone has tripled in the past couple of years and sometimes I’ll look at a spreadsheet of how everything has risen and wonder how we’re still here.
What does the future hold for the business?
I always hope to do more and create a better version of us every year, whether that’s better brands and stock or stories and customer experience.
What do you love most about being in indie retail?
I think it’s the fact that it’s mine. I can buy what I like and do what I like. But most of all, I love what I do and the buzz of finding something new and exciting. OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 51
SHOP TALK
“A little structure now will buy you some calm later” BIRA CEO ANDREW GOODACRE ON PREPARING FOR THE CHRISTMAS RUSH
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here’s a temptation to treat this time of year as a quiet pause before the real business begins. I understand the instinct. The shop floor feels calmer, summer trade has petered out and the Golden Quarter still feels weeks away. But in my experience, now isn't the time to pause at all - it’s the next few weeks that will decide how well prepared you are for everything that follows. I've spoken to enough independent retailers over the years to know that the ones who go into the Christmas period feeling confident are rarely the ones who started planning in October. They’re the ones who used the previous weeks to get their house in order, while there was still time to make changes without panic setting in. It’s also worth taking stock of what’s actually happening in the market this year, because it changes how that preparation should look. Last Christmas, independent retailers grew sales while many larger chains saw theirs fall. That wasn’t by chance. Shoppers are telling us clearly that tighter budgets don’t mean less Christmas, they mean more considered spending, and that tends to land with businesses that offer something thoughtful rather than merely convenient. The clearest trend across our membership, whatever the sector, is a preference for provenance and personality. Customers want to know where something came from, who made it and why it’s worth choosing over the mass-produced alternative. That’s true of a gift as much as a piece of homeware or new party dress. It plays to exactly what independent retailers do best. Timing has shifted too, and it’s worth building into your planning now rather than discovering it in November. A significant number of shoppers now treat Black Friday as the start of their Christmas budgeting, while a growing number deliberately hold off until December. That means your stock, messaging and promotions need to work across the full quarter - not just peak in one narrow window. Stock is the obvious place to start, but it’s worth thinking about it differently this year. Buying patterns shift, and a shop that reflects last year’s assumptions rather than this year’s conversations will feel slightly 52 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
out of step, even if nothing is obviously wrong. Look at what’s already selling, speak to suppliers about availability and repeats and identify any gaps while there’s still time to do something about them. Staffing deserves the same early attention. If you’re bringing in seasonal help, now is the time to recruit and train, not November. A new member of staff thrown into a busy shop floor without proper grounding in your products and your way of doing things will struggle, and so will your customers’ experience of them. Give people time to become genuinely useful before the pressure arrives. Cash flow is where I’d urge particular discipline. The temptation is to spend ahead of the returns you expect in the coming months. That’s sometimes necessary, but it should be deliberate rather than reactive. Speak to your accountant now, understand what buffer you’ll need to cover stock and staffing costs before the Golden Quarter revenue lands, and avoid discovering a gap in November when your options are far more limited. There’s also a digital dimension that’s easy to overlook. Whatever you’re planning for social media, email campaigns or your website over the coming months, now is when the groundwork should happen. Photograph new stock properly and write your campaign content while you have the time to do it well. A rushed December post rarely does justice to a shop that’s put real thought into its offering. None of this is about creating unnecessary pressure in what should be a manageable month – it’s the opposite. A little structure now will buy you some calm later, at exactly the point when calm becomes hardest to find. I’ve watched too many independent retailers work twice as hard in December to make up for decisions that could have been made much earlier with far less strain. So, my advice this month is simple: use the quiet while it lasts. Look honestly at your stock, your staffing and your cash position, and make the adjustments now that will let you trade with confidence when peak trading arrives. The businesses that do this consistently aren’t the biggest or the best resourced, they simply treated now as preparation time instead of a pause.
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OCTOBER 2026 | boutique. | 53
SHOP TALK
“Christmas is a selling opportunity, not a countdown to the January sale” RETAIL EXPERT CLARE BAILEY ON HOLDING YOUR NERVE THIS PARTY SEASON
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hristmas retail has a timing issue that’s been getting more problematic for years. Some retailers have become so focused on Black Friday, discounting, and the postChristmas sale that they’ve forgotten there is a rather important bit in the middle: Christmas itself and the full-price, full-margin sale. For fashion and accessories in particular, the temptation to go into sale mode early is perhaps understandable. Black Friday arrives, competitors start discounting, customers begin hunting for bargains and suddenly everyone is shouting “SALE!" Meanwhile, what you really want to be selling is partywear, gifting and the sheer joy of buying something new - at full price, at full margin and with a hard-earned profit. So perhaps the question this year is not simply ‘how do we plan for Christmas’ but ‘how long can we hold our nerve?’ There is a huge opportunity in creating genuine urgency around full-price product. ‘When it’s gone, it’s gone’ is a simple message to convey, but for the right product it can be way more powerful than 20 per cent off. Limited quantities, exclusive pieces, seasonal colourways or products that will not be repeated give customers a reason to buy now rather than sit back and wait for the inevitable red sticker. Of course, this requires confidence. If you have bought too deeply, or something simply is not moving, the numbers will eventually make the decision for you. Assuming customers will only buy when something is reduced can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. My first rule? Hold your nerve where the product deserves it. The second is to change how you sell full price. Not every customer needs a whole new outfit. With household budgets still under pressure, a new party dress or complete Christmas wardrobe may simply not be affordable. That doesn’t mean customers have stopped wanting to feel fabulous. Show them how to take something they already own and make it feel new again with a fabulous bag, statement jewellery, a belt, shoes, hair accessories or even a great pair of tights. The message becomes less ‘you need a whole new outfit’ and more ‘let us show you how to make what you already own feel completely different.’ 54 | boutique. | OCTOBER 2026
That is commercially smarter too. A £30 accessory is a much easier purchase than a £150 outfit for someone watching every pound. You have made a sale, helped the customer solve a real problem and potentially introduced them to a product or brand they will come back for. Top tip: sell the transformation, not just the product. Perhaps the bigger opportunity is to sell partywear as an investment rather than a Christmas throwaway. The Princess of Wales has repeatedly demonstrated that a great outfit can be worn again and again simply by changing the styling. So why are we so quick to discount something that has a wardrobe life well beyond Christmas? Then there is another issue we sometimes forget: Christmas Day is not the end of the party. New Year is a completely different occasion, with a different mindset and potentially a customer who is ready to spend. Beyond that, the same pieces can work for winter sun holidays, weddings, gala dinners and all sorts of other special occasions. If everything is pushed into sale before Christmas, retailers can miss the opportunity to sell the same season twice. Maybe the answer is not more discounting but better timing, storytelling and selling. If you want shoppers to buy at full price, give them a reason to do it now. Christmas is a selling opportunity, not a countdown to the January sale. The best retailers do not simply react to the calendar, they understand what the customer is thinking, what they can afford and, crucially, when they are ready to buy. Sometimes the smartest Christmas strategy is knowing when not to put something on the discount rail. Clare Bailey is one of the UK’s leading independent retail experts, consultant, speaker and founder of Retail Champion. She advises retail businesses from sole traders to major brands and is a regular commentator across national media; retailchampion.co.uk
Listen to the Retail Reckoning podcast Sign up for VIP alerts to Clare’s latest podcast at retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletter
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BUYERS GUIDE Diane Sykes Fashion
I N T I M AT E S & S W I M W E A R Anita
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Concrete Concept Ltd
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