Boutique january 2013

January 2013

ISSUE 27

SMART THINKING

Better buying First look collections Short order must-haves Financing a successful year

AUTUMN AND WINTER 2013 Viewings by appointment only January 24th - March 1st Yaccomaricard Showroom 78 Margaret Street London W1W 8SZ February 9th - February 12th Yaccomaricard Flagship Store 10 Kensington Church Street London W8 4EP Contact: Pauline Wickens T: 020 7436 8576 E: pauline@yaccomaricard.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER Editor Gemma Ward gemma.ward@boutique-magazine.co.uk Contributors Rachel Parkin, Alice Wright Publication Manager Julie Neill – julieneill@cimltd.co.uk Tel 01795 509112 Fax 01795 591065 Account Executive Susan Hendry – susan@cimltd.co.uk Catherine Ridings – catherine@cimltd.co.uk Tel 01795 509106 Studio Manager Paula Smith – paula@cimltd.co.uk Design and Production Grant Waters – grant@cimltd.co.uk James Taylor – james@cimltd.co.uk Tel 01795 509108 Credit Facilities Manager Vickie Crawford – vickie@cimltd.co.uk Tel 01795 509103 Chief Executive John Denning – jdenning@cimltd.co.uk © 2013 CIM Online Limited, The Goods Shed, Jubilee Way, Whitstable Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD. 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 CIM Online Limited. 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.

ON THE COVER: Image courtesy of James Lakeland; jacket £68; Tel: 0207 636 7130

New beginnings

W

hile the buying season is often the time when boutiques owners gear up for a busy time ahead, January is the month to begin planning for a successful year.

That’s why, as we open Boutique’s first issue of 2013, we’ve been penning our features around this month’s theme: In with the new.

It may be a cliché, but January presents the opportunity of a clean slate and the chance to start again.

Even if you had a poor past 12 months (although we’re hoping you didn’t) the New Year brings fresh hope and motivation to succeed.

With this in mind, we’ve been hunting out a range of new ideas to ensure you get 2013 off to a flying start.

As buyers across the land gear up for next month’s major trade exhibitions, show room visits and launches, we’ve uncovered some top tips on placing orders in this tough economic climate.

There’s no denying that buying is more difficult than it was a few years ago.

But those boutique owners that are still succeeding are the ones that pick and choose who they work with and select their stock shrewdly. Rachel Parkin, who is an indie owner, wholesaler and jewellery designer, is uniquely placed to see the process from all sides. Turn to page 34 to discover her top tips on leading your boutique to buying victory.

Likewise this issue we’ve also hunted out some inspiring AW13

collections in our exclusive first look feature. From great British brands to accessories and international labels, turn to page 18 for our hot-off-thepress preview.

Lastly, with the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement closing 2012, we’ve also been focusing on finance this month to help inspire your success. Starting from page 41 you’ll find a whole section dedicated to the topic covering ideas on how to invest for success and where to find the funding in this tough economic climate. Sponsored by finance company Merchant Cash Express, it highlights the benefits of its Business Cash Advance while aiming to inspire your investment plans for the next 12 months ahead.

We hope you find this issue invaluable in your quest to plan for your your most lucrative season yet.

Happy New Year!

Gemma Ward, Editor gemma.ward@boutique-magazine.co.uk

January 2013 | boutique. | 3

www.carlaruiz.com carlaruiz@carlaruiz.com

CONTENTS

07

17

14

boutique.

January 2013

NEWS

BUSINESS

07 FASHION FIX

33 INTELLIGENT BUYING

The industry’s latest news and views

Wholesaler and retailer Rachel Parkin reveals how to buy successfully in an unsteady retail market

12 FASHION SEEN People, parties, places and faces

14 TREASURE TROVE The key buys you need to know about

FINANCE 42 THE YEAR FOR INDEPENDENTS

BUYING

Why 2013 could be the year indies have been waiting for

17 FIRST LOOK AW13

44 INVESTMENT PURCHASES

An exclusive collection preview before buying season gets underway

Why borrowing to improve your business could offer long-term benefits

26 FASHION EXTRAS

SHOPS

Kick start the New Year with our pick of this month’s best accessories

55 SET SALE

28 PRIMARY SCHOOL Take your customers back to school with SS13’s most important colour lesson

14 TREASURE TROVE

Retailing by the sea in Devon’s Plymouth

58 INSIDE STORY Alice Wright discovers the inside story behind two Plymouth indies

January 2013 | boutique. | 5

FASHION FIX

Essential news

BATH

T

Independent Retailer Month UK founder Clare Rayner unveils new year-round campaign to support indies

he founder of Independent Retailer Month has unveiled new plans to boost spend in local shops with a yearround initiative for indies. Headed

by Clare Rayner, the Support for Independent Retail campaign will aim to provide advice, ideas and inspiration for independent retailers all through the year in a bid to help them thrive in today’s tough economic climate.

The scheme currently encompasses three main annual initiatives: Independent Retailer Month, Celebrate an Independent Christmas and the newly launched Enjoy an Independent Easter. Each promotes all sectors from food to fashion and interiors to salons with the universal message to support independent businesses over major corporations.

Its founder hopes the new plans

will aid the country’s battle to save the British high street.

“The purpose of all the campaign events is to connect local communities with local traders through activities that are fun, rewarding and will have a positive social and economic impact in their locale,” says Rayner. “The campaign is a nationwide effort to improve footfall to our high streets, towns and village centres, to increase consumer confidence, and to boost retail sales.”

The founder is also urging indie owners themselves to lead by example and pledge to spend more with other independents. According to recent research collated by BIRA and O2 Priority Moments, over 16 per cent of indies fear they’ll go out of business this year. Rayner says that losing this number of stores would have a “catastrophic impact” on communities

and local economies. She says: “If small business owners don’t spend locally it’s hypocritical to expect other people to spend with them. We must all lead by example.”

A study completed by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies showed that for every £1 spent locally, 50p – 70p circulates back into the local economy.

Meanwhile, for the same £1 spent out of town or online, only 5p trickles back into the community.

“The pledge I want you to make as one of your New Year’s resolutions is to divert just 20 per cent of what you currently spend with chain stores or big online brands and spend that with your local independents instead,” she says. “That will make a huge difference because your £1 spent locally is worth at least 10 times more to the local community than if you spent it elsewhere”.

January 2013 | boutique. | 7

FASHION FIX

Poole’s Jackson Distribution launches own unisex fashion label for SS13

Marc Cain opens first standalone UK store in St Albans German label Marc Cain has opened its first UK-based standalone store in Hertfordshire’s St Albans. Located on the city’s picturesque George Street, the 538sq ft store opened as a franchise model on 15 December inside one of the town’s quaint retail outlets.

Launching with the brand’s SS13 collection, the new store’s interior features a dark parquet floor, shiny metallic walls and white high gloss furniture. Customers can also make use of a lounge area equipped with plush padded furniture and a homely shag-pile carpet.

“The historical old building coupled with the bright, modern Marc Cain design is extremely exciting and unique,” says franchisee Cathy Lewis. Marc Cain currently runs 127 standalone stores and 243 shop-in-stores in 59 countries around the world.

8 | boutique. | January 2013

Poole-based fashion specialist Jackson Distribution, which supplies the UK market with Avril Lavigne’s Abby Dawn brand and Iron First, is to launch its own clothing and accessories label for SS13.

Funded by a financial package from the HSBC, Brakeburn is a new lifestyle brand aimed at women and men in the 16 to 35 years age group.

Its designs, which feature unique graphics from artist collaborations, consist of tees, dresses, accessories, shirts, blouses and outerwear.

The company hopes the move will boost its international export trade and net an estimated £10million turnover in 2013. Finance director Chris Sheath comments: “The launch of Brakeburn is an exciting opportunity for the company and will be launched through our existing customer base as well as opening up

new sales channels in the UK and Europe. The success of the Iron First and Abbey Dawn brands has enabled Jackson Distribution to take the bold step to design and bring to market its own brand and we are both confident and excited about its future.”

Tresor Paris goes on nationwide bus tour to help boost its stockists’ sales British jewellery brand Tresor Paris has been sending a fully branded double decker bus around the country to promote its latest launches to shoppers and support its network of independent stockists.

The fully refurbished bus parked up outside jeweller Faze Four in

Peterborough and invited passersby hop onboard to view its current wares. Meanwhile, the store put on street entertainment to boost interest while holding an hourly raffle offering visitors the chance to win a selection of exclusive Tresor Paris necklaces.

Sutton Coldfield’s Boldmere in the West Midlands was next on the map for the bus, which stopped outside stockist Marlows Jewellers.

The town’s crowds were also treated to a sneak-peek at the collections while they shopped for Christmas gifts along with mince pies, mulled wine and a chance to win £100 to spend on the brand in store.

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FASHION FIX

Cocorose London unveils new booklet in conjunction with BAFTA Cocorose London has launched a new booklet to be unveiled in preparation for next month’s EE British Academy Film Awards. London Unfolded is a collectable limited edition guide containing exclusive interviews and photography of stylish individuals capturing the capital’s diverse style and attitudes to film.

Cocorose founder Janan Leo and her team travelled across London photographing women wearing the brand’s shoes and questioning them

about their favourite films. Its subjects include BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry and Team GB’s rhythmic gymnasts.

Cocorose London launched in 2007 as the original creator of foldable pumps. Since then it has worked on a number of collaborations with high profile companies. The booklet will be distributed by stockists nationally and internationally as well as at selected tube and train stations. An e-version is also available to view now at Cocoroselondon.com/londonunfolded.

Off-Price Show promises indies discounted short order brands

The Kensington Shoe Event gears up for twenty-fifth edition in March Since its inaugural show over a decade ago, The Kensington Shoe Event will host its twenty-fifth exhibition this march for fashion buyers and independents. Taking place at The Kensington Close Hotel on 17-19 March, it will provide a platform for 25 exclusive exhibitors who will present their latest collections from more than 50 highly regarded European factories.

Prestigious brands will include the 10 | boutique. | January 2013

likes of Bugatti, Peter Kaiser, Pons Quintana, Jaime Mascaro, Audley, Unisa and Arche while the event will also showcase mainstream ranges by Manila, Toni Pons, Pedro Miralles, Hispanitas and Moda in Pelle.

Independents and boutique buyers can gain free entry to the show with business cards.

For more information visit Thekensingtonshoeevent.co.uk.

Boutique buyers on the hunt for low cost, high quality in-season stock will be able to pick up a range of brands at this year’s Off-Price Show. Kicking off on 3 March at London’s Olympia for two days, the short order exhibition has been running since 2000 and offers womenswear, menswear and childrenswear as well as accessories.

Key categories covered at the show include formal, sportswear and casual wear as well as work-wear and contemporary jewellery. Meanwhile, labels on offer range from Gucci and Calvin Klein through to “high quality” unbranded exports.

Organisers says the show is a mustattend for buyers wanting to increase their profit margins and source collections from some of the best UK and overseas suppliers.

Register for free entry at Offpriceshow.co.uk.

Cocomo Ltd. Seasonal Showroom: 49 Rathbone Street (opp. the Rathbone Hotel), London W1T 1NP. Tel: +44 (0) 7769 700 037 Email: cocomoltd@msn.com Correspondence: 14 Basil Street, London SW3 1AJ.

FASHION FIX

Fashion seen This month’s special events, launches and VIP guests

SNAP HAPPY

The Fashion Retail Academy welcomed Will.i.am to its Central London campus last month to launch his latest gadget i.am+foto.sosho. Students and tutors were among the first in the country to see the musician’s iPhone camera accessory, which is now on sale at Selfridges. The Black Eyed Peas star, who reportedly also played a pivotal role in the creation of the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones brand, plans to spend the next 20 years concentrating on consumer technology.

DOWN TO A TEA

Independent fashion label Antoni and Alison opened a quaint tearoom on the first floor of its East London store last month to celebrate the brand’s 25-year anniversary. The brainchild of designers Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts, the launch coincides with the refurbishment of their Roseberry Avenue shop where customers can now browse the label’s quirky designs before venturing upstairs for tea, coffee and cake.

12 | boutique. | January 2013

MAKING A WISH

Collectable jewellery specialist Chamillia hosted a star-studded party last month to celebrate its Make-aWish charity partnership. Attended by the likes of Alexandra Burke, Jaime Winstone and Jo Wood, the brand pledged a minimum £37,500 donation to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions.

Kicking off the fundraising with the launch of a sterling silver and blue Swarvoski Wish bead, it is now being sold exclusively through Ernest Jones and H Samuel for £55 earning the children’s charity £12 from each sale.

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POUND FOR POUND - THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE

At last a label which can offer your ‘Fuller Figured’ customers a true sense of fashion.

Produced in sizes UK 10 to 30, Jean Gabriel is very proud to dress all women without discrimination at a budget they can afford.

With a lot more to offer, this is a label which you should not overlook!

CALL 0161 713 1803 for more information

Leap N LInk Ltd. : : T - 0161 713 1803 : : F - 0161 820 7057 : : E - info@leapnlink.co.uk : : W - www.leapnlink.co.uk

FASHION FIX READ BETWEEN THE LINES Inject some instant colour into your SS13 collections with this Blurred Lines scarf by British accessories designer Alice Hannah. £13; Tel: 0208 943 9383

SWEET AS CANDY Nodding to the candy coloured hues as seen in high fashion collections from the likes of Mark Fast and Simone Rocha, newly launched label Second Female has created a range of super covetable dipdye tops and dresses in sugary sweet shades. £32; Tel: 0207 384 6118

Treasure trove STATEMENT PIECE This colourful hexagon-shaped necklace by Fiorelli Costume Jewellery is set to make a serious statement when it hits the shops this spring. £30; Tel: 01376 532 000 Geckojewellery. com

THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS Staying true to its signature easy-wear pieces and vibrant fabrics, Amari’s SS13 collection features cool cottons for hazy summer days and classic lightweight jerseys for when the nights draw in. We love this two-tone viscose jersey Rosalind dress with embroidered neck detailing. £13; Tel: 07816 750 087 14 | boutique. | January 2013

This month’s best brands and buys uncovered

PROM QUEEN Offering a modern take on the classic prom dress, Ruby Prom fuses tradition design elements with vibrant colours and high quality fabrics such as tulle, taffeta and lace.

Nikki dress £102; Tel: 01909 774 522 Rubyprom.com

Collection Showing from the 5th Feb - 22nd Feb at MWB Business Exchange, 77 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2ES To make an appointment please contact Henri Rose on Tel. 020 8940 6470 or email henrirose@talktalk.net

www.evalinka.com

JEANS WITH BENEFITS B

S

N

N

et your glitz on with the latest styles from izard eans, the go-to British brand when it comes to fashion-forward, figure-fixing jeans. ome and meet the team and be dazzled by the gorgeous additions to their already impressive collection at PURE London, Stand N102 in February 2013.

Short order delivery options are available as well as any other buyer’s needs.

No minimum order. For further information or to place an order please contact Sally llen- erard on

07768 816420 or email her sally@wizardjeans.com

WWW.WIZARDJEANS.COM

Want to become an agent for Wizard Jeans?

Contact Sally on the details above.

Sienna Midnight Crystal One of several hot new styles

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STOCK UP

What to buy now

Autumn arrivals

Y

ou may still be left with the dregs of your winter sale, but it’s almost time to pick out your in-store superheroes for AW13.

While there are still a few weeks to go until the major exhibitions, we’ve already collated some hot-off-the-press collections for the new season. So don’t miss our exclusive first look preview, starting right here, that will help keep your finger on the pulse and your buying decisions well and truly ahead of the game…

LETTUCE January 2013 | boutique. | 17

STOCK UP

First look An exclusive round-up of this season’s latest short and forward order collections

KATHY HILTON

Created by the mother of socialite Paris Hilton, Kathy Hilton’s eponymous label will make its UK debut next month at Moda. Focused on special occasion wear pieces that are on-trend yet affordable, the first inaugural collection features a range of dresses that are “unique and won’t break the bank.” Buyers can expect cocktail frocks, party dresses, A-line gowns and a variety of styles with or without sleeves. The collection includes pieces that can be worn for a range of occasions including balls, weddings and red carpet events. And while the designer promises low prices – which are yet to be finalised – the collection’s main fabrics are highend and include luxe jerseys and chiffons as well as lace, tulle and silk.

SHOWING: Moda, Birmingham NEC; British Bridal Exhibition, Harrogate CONTACT: Tel: 01954 232 102 Kathyhilton.com

PASSIGATTI

EVALINKA

Established French label Evalinka specialises in print, jacquard and vivid colour collections for career women of all ages. New for the AW13 season the brand has taken a fresh direction with simplified silhouettes while still retaining the colourful prints it has become renowned for.

With a wide range of desk to dinner inspired dresses and separates made with fine materials including cashmere, the collection’s striking colour palette combines a vivid mix of red, pink, cobalt blue and yellow with muted navy, plum, grey and black. The average wholesale price is £36 while the minimum order requirement is £1,500.

SHOWING: Who’s Next, Paris; London showroom CONTACT: UK Agent Henri Rose. Tel: 0208 940 6470/ 07778 794 544 E: henrirose@talktalk.net Evalinka.com 18 | boutique. | January 2013

Translating to ‘passionate accessories’, German label Passigatti is renowned for its wide range of luxurious fashion-forward scarves.

Inspired by the world’s biggest fashion capitals, its designers combine aesthetics, design and quality to create accessories that are an expression of personality. Alongside its core line for everyday wear, the label offers its Sposa Collection for weddings and special occasions. For AW13 the brand’s collection has been inspired by numerous places around the globe tapping into key trends such as glitter, lurex, knit, checks and floral prints. Standout pieces include knitted loops, caps and scarves with key colours such as vanilla, pale green-blue and rose; country shades including turquoise, brown, wine and mustard as well as oriental-inspired tones like peony, ruby, gold and amethyst. Wholesale prices start from €12.95 while the minimum order requirement is €200.

SHOWING: Pure London (stand J90); Premium Berlin; Première Classe Paris CONTACT: Tel: 0731 985 770 Passigatti.com

16a Newman Street – London W1T 1PB T: + 44 (0)20 7636 4207 E: sales@partnersinfashion.co.uk www.partnersinfashion.com

STOCK UP

MARKBERG ACCESSORIES

Danish accessories label Markberg offers its trademark raw and simple aesthetic across functional leather goods such as bags, belts, iPad covers, bracelets and gloves. Created in 2007, the brand initially specialised in trend-led gloves before branching out with a wider collection of high quality leather accessories. For AW13 the label has worked with renowned Irish fashion blogger Anouska Proetta Brandon to create a striking look book. Inside it showcases its latest collection of easy-to-wear styles suitable for night and day. The range includes faux snake skin materials; handmade detailing; bags and purses with metal corner hardware; studs used across belts and bracelets as well as knit and leather mix gloves.

Wholesale prices for bags range from £35 to £85 while belts are priced between £15 and £35 each. The minimum order requirement for all stockists is £500.

SHOWING: Pure London; North London showroom CONTACT: Tel: 07770 210 406/ 07867 542 157 E: uk@Markberg.com

BEWITCHED ACCESSORIES

MISSCO GIRL

Blending catwalk trends with feminine influences, Missco Girl creates directional handbags that offer style, quality and functionality. The brand’s design team uses the latest high quality leather-like materials to create a range of styles each season including satchels, totes and clutches in a variety of colourways. For SS13 the brand has divided its collection into three ranges.

The first, Rebirth, celebrates the beauty in decay through textured clutches in somber-yet-romantic tones of salmon and taupe. Meanwhile, New Utopia draws inspiration from nature with functional bags in blooming shades and Urban Vibrations features bright hold alls and cross body bags that capture the energy of youth. Wholesale prices for wallets start from £8.50 while satchels and totes begin at £21. The minimum order is just 12 units per order.

SHOWING: Pure London; Top Drawer, Earls Court CONTACT: Tel: 07957 638 220 Misscogirl.com 20 | boutique. | January 2013

Specialising in colourful and directional accessories for women aged 25 years and upwards, Bewitched offers indies a fully co-coordinated collection of bags, accessories and belts. The brand’s unique pieces are competitively priced ensuring its appeal between both high-end and mass-market brands. In addition to its signature spotty scarves, the label has unveiled a bright collection for SS13 featuring prints inspired by tribal, exotic and marine themes.

Moreover, it has extended its bag range with more styles to target the smart day market and introduced a new line of headbands and belt designs. Lastly, buyers will be able to pick up a new range of cosmetic bags and jewellery rolls for summer holiday goers.

SHOWING: Scottish Trade Fair; Spring Fair, Birmingham; Pure London CONTACT: Tel: 01488 649 520 Bewitched-accessories.co.uk

STOCK UP

HAWICK KNITWEAR

MICHAL NEGRIN JEWELLERY

Created to complement the Israeli designer’s womenswear collections, Michal Negrin Jewellery combines vintage style with romantic finishing touches to create a unique line-up that is ideal for independents. For AW13 the designer presents fresh elements and colours never used before such as heavy gold plated chains as well as turquoise and gold tones mixed with green and fuchsia. Encompassing Michal Negrin’s individual style with influences drawn from past eras and urban life, each piece of jewellery is striking and unique.

Wholesale prices are £30 per item on average while the minimum order requirement is £500.

SHOWING: Top Drawer, Earls Court; Pure London; Pulse, Earls Court CONTACT: Tel: 01784 482 888 E: sigaldistribution@gmail.com

NUMPH

Danish label Numph has become renowned for its quirky prints and experimental silhouettes that nod to its own individual style rather than following fashion trends. Romantic nomads and “the need for individuality” has inspired its latest collection for AW13. Casual knits and tops in a variety of shapes and fabrics combine with soft silks and cottons as well as unstructured dresses in numerous colours and prints. Outerwear and jackets remain key in the collection with leather, puffa and parker coats taking the main stage. In addition, buyers can expect trapper plaids, bejeweled necklines and a natural colour palette of earthy browns, red wine, orange, bright fuchsia and lime. Wholesale prices range from £8 to £28 while these is no minimum order requirement.

SHOWING: Pure London; Bread and Butter, Berlin CONTACT: Tel: 0207 485 8633 Numph.dk 22 | boutique. | January 2013

With a heritage dating back to 1874, Hawick Knitwear designs and manufactures contemporary knitwear using the finest natural fibres in its hometown of Hawick, nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

Its classic and fashion-led jumpers, cardigans and dresses are created using lambswool, merino wool and cashmere offering supreme quality and comfort.

The label’s womenswear collection for AW13 features traditional patterns such as fairisle, chunky cable knits and two-tone textures. Meanwhile stripes and bow detailing alongside fine herringbone jacquards give the collection a contemporary edge.

The colour palette is split into three offering a base of red and pink with highlights of green and orange, icy winter blues with a touch of mint green, and rich inky purple, plum and berry tones. Prices range from £25 to £95 and there is no minimum order requirement.

SHOWING: Moda, Birmingham NEC; Showcase Ireland, Dublin; IMC, Whittlebury, nr Northampton; CIFF, Copenhagen.

CONTACT: Tel: 01450 363 100 Hawickknitwear.com

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MONTE-CARLO

STILL GROWING DESPITE THE RECESSION!

Be part of this incredible phenomenon, rekindle your passion for fashion and seduce your customers with this gorgeous label from Monte-Carlo. for more information:

CALL 0161 713 1803 Leap N LInk Ltd. : : T - 0161 713 1803 : : F - 0161 820 7057 : : E - info@leapnlink.co.uk : : W - www.leapnlink.co.uk

STOCK UP

EDEN ROCK ITALY

Designed to flatter all female figures, plus-size favourite Eden Rock delivers comfortable, quirky and stylist pieces with signature styles including tunics, pinafores and knitwear. Inspired by the colours and textures of a Tuscan winter (the label’s home), its AW13 collection features luxe fabrics such as boiled wool, lace and fleck jersey in a rich colour palette of burnt orange, plum, teal, charcoal and taupe. Central to the collection are the brand’s trademark asymmetric tunics and luxurious wrap coats. Meanwhile, new for this year, its design team has unveiled a selection of high quality basics including leggings and tops alongside the introduction of a new animal-look leatherette fabric.

SHOWING: Pure London; Who’s Next, Paris; Copenhagen International Fashion Fair CONTACT: Tel: 0207 636 1892 Edenrockitaly.com

CAPRI

British brand Capri offers a signature individual feminine style with a strong focus on quality fabrics, flattering cuts and affordability. Targeted at women aged over 30, it offers a range of sophisticated garments that veer away from mainstream fashion trends that is perfect for boutiques wanting to offer something different. The label’s key styles consist of quirky pieces that enhance all shapes and sizes including asymmetric tunics, dresses and coats in jacquards and textured fabrics. For AW13, its design team has drawn influences from the café culture of Paris to deliver a collection featuring layers, creative fabrics and striking prints. Colour-wise, expect to see muted shades of grey, black, tan, aubergine and olive alongside highlights of winter lime, cherry, red and mauve. Wholesale prices begin from £15 while there is no minimum order requirement.

SHOWING: Pure London; Moda CONTACT: Tel: 0203 490 8361 Capriclothing.co.uk 24 | boutique. | January 2013

COCOROSE LONDON

Combining sophisticated styling, superior comfort and practical functionality, Cocorose London’s signature foldable ballet pumps are renowned for their quality and style. For SS13 the brand unveiled a range of quirky designs including The Royal Ballet-inspired Alice shoe and a collaboration with Liberty Art Fabrics. New for AW13, its collection exudes glamour with a chic colour palette of buttermilk, burgundy and noir. Meanwhile, the introduction of ultra stylish pointed ballerinas, edgy studs and new loafer designs in the Classic Elegance collection brings the collection bang up-to-date for winter.

Lastly, in its non-foldable ballerina range Luxury Heritage, buyers can expect rich shades of patent russet, marine and navy offset against printed lace and snake effects.

SHOWING: Pure London; Who’s Next, Paris; FN Platform, Las Vegas; Micam, Milan; GDS, Dusseldorf CONTACT: Tel: 0208 829 8919 Cocoroselondon.com

Marcona Bentinck House, Lower Ground Floor, 3-8 Bolsover Street, London W1W 6AB Tel: +44 (0) 20 7291 0536/7 Mob: +44 (0) 7733 108 274 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7291 0539 Contact: Lisa Williams

ACCESSORIES

Fashion extras Bring in the New Year with this pick of super hot accessories

WHITE HOT Echoing Jil Saunder and Philip Lim’s latest collections, Beaumont Organic’s white Double Zip Clutch is the perfect bag for SS13. £70; Tel: 0161 440 9690

CLUB TROPICANA Inspired by Havana’s famous club Tropicana, Aase Hopstock’s Miranda floral wedges epitomize high summer glamour. £95; Tel: 07772641681

DOING LINES

FLAT OUT

BAG FOR LIFE

These colourful bangles by Fiorelli Costume Jewellery make the ideal chic accessory for SS13’s super bright colour palettes. £12; Tel: 01376 532 000 Geckojewellery.com

New Brit brand La Paire Florus creates handmade shoes using Spanish leather in a selection of vibrant shades and eye-catching styles. Florus sandal £44; Tel: 0208 292 6701

Canadian line Matt and Nat’s vegan bags come in a variety of colours and styles and boast eco linings made from recycled plastic bottles. Epea bag £38; Tel: 0207 608 0593

PURPLE HAZE

CLOCKING OFF

PRINT WORKS

Winner of Gift of the Year, Italian brand O Clock offers chic and colourful watches with interchangeable faces and straps that can be mixed and matched. £14; Tel: 0845 519 6161 Fullspot.uk.com

Specialising in quirky coloured leather footwear, Rae Jones’ Sheppey shoe in this striking blue and cream print is sure to turn more than a few heads in store. £73; Tel: 0207 613 5735 Raejones.co.uk

Support independent artists by investing in Front Row Society scarves – we love this Syncretic Cycle version

by Valentino Fiammetta. £11.85; Tel: 0207 608 0593 26 | boutique. | January 2013

ACCESSORIES

JANUARY BLUES

POWER PUMPS

French leather handbag brand Nat&Nin combines vintage glamour with modern touches in designs such as this luxe Zoe bag for SS13. £84; Tel: 020 7384 6118 Nat-nin.fr

Hot-off-the-press for AW13, these foldable leather pony hair pumps by Cocorose London are sure to make the wish list of every fashionista. £POA; Tel: 0208 829 8919

NOA’S ARC Contemporary Danish label Second Female gets cool accessorising down to tee with this pretty-yet-unique Noa Necklace. £14; Tel: 0207 384 6118

BACK IN THE SADDLE

ENGLISH ROSE

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

In the season’s hottest colour, Missco Girl’s fluro orange Mini and Large faux leather Saddle Bags will inject seriously on-trend style into any store.

From £15; Tel: 07957 638 220

Created by renowned Brit designer Lisa Levis, Ada Rose is a new grownup accessories brand featuring pretty staples like this Tea Rose wash bag. £11.55; E: Danielle@hillsideway.co.uk

Scarf specialist Lettuce has branched out for SS13 with a new bag range.

This Boho number features the bright and quirky details the brand is already renowned for. £12; Tel: 0845 257 8120

ON THE BEACH

Created by Cornish designer Lee May Foster, Bonbi Forest’s jewellery is heavily influenced by nature, as seen on this pretty Garden Cuff. £7.60; E: info@bonbiforest.com

SHOWER POWER The traditional umbrella gets a modern art makeover with this quirky Keep Dry design by Russian importer Art Lebedev Studio. £7.70; Tel: 01494 765 626

Inject a hint of cool into your summer holiday collections with this graphic monochrome Yarrow beach bag by Rocket Dog. £14; Tel: 0333 700 0001

OFF THE CUFF

January 2013 | boutique. | 27

SS13 TREND

Primary school Take customers back to basics with fashion’s biggest colour lesson for SS13 CAREY SHOE Rocket Dog, £12; Tel: 0208 207 7200 PEGGY BAG Mimi Berry, £85; Tel: 0207 729 6699

PIPA TOP Komodo, £20; Tel: 0207 608 0593

TAILORED TEA DRESS Deploy, £343; Tel: 0207 935 2613

BUTTERCUP DRESS Kate Fearnley, £63; Tel: 01642 227 344

LOREN HAT Pachacuti, £26.65; Tel: 01335 345 851

EMMY KNIT Second Female, £26; Tel: 0207 384 6118

PEPLUM DRESS Diva Sophia, £POA; Divasophia.co.uk

ORELLA SHOE Rocket Dog, £19.20; Tel: 0208 207 7200 28 | boutique. | January 2013

ISABELLA DRESS Eucalyptus, £23; Tel: 0207 740 6323

SS13 TREND SADIE DRESS Soaked in Luxury, £19.67; Tel: 0208 875 5851

ELIZABETH WRAP DRESS Nancy Dee, £38; Tel: 0207 183 3658 TROUSERS Olsen, £42.50; Tel: 0207 637 2599

REGINA DRESS Eucalyptus, £28; Tel: 0207 740 6323

TIARA CARDIGAN Komodo, £36; Tel: 0207 608 0593

DRESS Linea Raffaelli, €128; Tel: 0032 13 771 476

MOREDALE JACKET Joules, £38; Tel: 0845 250 7170

MAGNOLIA RUCKSACK Rocket Dog, £13.20; Tel: 0333 700 0001

MINNIE DRESS Kate Fearnley, £65; Tel: 01642 227 344

30 | boutique. | January 2013

SCALLOP SHORTS Miss Patina, £17.80; E: wholesale@misspatina.com

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DOWN TO BUSINESS A helping hand for fashion indies

Place your bets now

B

uying can be an unnerving process. Without being able to see into the future, trying to decipher what your customers will want to buy come August can be a real gamble.

With that in mind, this month we’ve enlisted some expert guidance to help you maximise your budgets and brands. Because despite the doom and gloom on the high street, with the right business acumen it’s still possible to make AW13 your best season yet...

January 2013 | boutique. | 33

DOWN TO BUSINESS

A buyer’s market Today’s buyers are facing more difficulties than ever before.

Wholesaler and indie owner Rachel Parkin reveals some insider tricks to face the current marketplace head on

H

ard times, even a deep wildcard – even a dabble can produce recession, can be an unforeseen results. A display of fashion opportunity to win wellingtons before the (possibly the loyalty of more very wet) summer in wild colours, customers, increase productivity and for instance, might be an interesting strengthen market position. But of diversion as well as being humorous course no one said that it would be easy.

ACCESSORIZE So how can indies respond to a downturn in business and emerge from it even stronger than before? In an economy where cash is king, how do you hold onto funds but still have something new to show shoppers all the time? It is a retailer’s conundrum.

Buying for your business is fraught with difficulties: even if you get it ‘right’ you can still be thwarted by something as elementary as the British weather. A painful reality experienced by many of us.

The skills you need to succeed in business in this new retailing reality are myriad. Good buying demands strong analytical and numerical skills, an interest and understanding for customers.

In a compacting economy it’s harder of consumer demands and strong to justify a trip to a trade show or a commercial awareness. showroom, but days out of the store One of the biggest dilemmas in are often where you get inspired. Jim clothing retail is always how to balance Rohn famously said ‘rarely does a your budget and how much of it to good idea interrupt you, you have to save for in-season purchasing. While a go looking for it.’ We’ve all had game selection of known and trusted brands changing moments in our businesses, are vital for establishing your store’s but they’ve rarely happened on a rainy positioning, beyond that you can have Tuesday morning behind the counter. a bit of fun with some of your quirkier So get out, get some perspective and labels. It’s always worth trying the 34 | boutique. | January 2013

keep an open mind.

If you’re trying to save money, consolidating suppliers is an easy fix – but beware of a random arbitrary number. Don’t try to reduce your suppliers from 54 to 40 if somewhere between 41 or 43 is right.

Targets can lose sight of what you were trying to accomplish in the first place.

However, conversely buying more from fewer suppliers can place you in better standing with them and give you more substance when negotiating over payment terms and distribution rights.

Sometimes a brand’s demands can be overwhelming. Large initial orders and payment in advance can make buying in cheaper alternatives like accessories look very appealing. There is of course a proviso with this. Ensure that you’re not painting yourself into the corner, as you’ll need to balance turnover with profit. In the jewellery world (my particular area of expertise) buying patters have changed enormously over the past five years, with most companies holding stock, it is no longer necessary to place big orders.. You are well placed to buy little and often.

The only area where this falls down is in supplier negotiation.

The fundamental law of negotiation is that it has to be a win-win scenario for both parties. So, for instance, say you promise to buy X and promote it across social media, advertising and to

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DOWN TO BUSINESS your extensive network of customers, the supplier sees this as a win. This is because it promotes their brand regionally, should sell through well (which will lead to repeat orders) and it’s easier for suppliers to deal with one customer in an area rather than several. So you negotiate a discount for sole distributorship in your area and everyone is happy. That is a win-win.

Can you still negotiate if you’re not buying a high quantity? Obviously you have a weaker hand, but it depends on what you’re offering. For the manufacturer/distributor you need to be offering them an incentive. Sale or return is pretty much abhorred in the trade as it can lead to many unforeseen complications, but if a supplier doesn’t have a stockist in your town it’s always worth asking, politely of course.

It goes without saying that you’ll want to tailor your buying for deliveries before a weekend (the biggest foot traffic days of the week) and just before the end of the month (even busier foot traffic around payday).

For those of you with websites, this is an obvious one, but web sales are different to store sales – you can’t afford to be out of stock of sizes online – so you’ll have to carry more stock than you might at first think which presents its own cash flow headaches.

Seek out new suppliers – businesses like the people that run them evolve constantly (or sometimes not) so they may or may not progress in the same direction as your business. As a finger in the wind guide I’d expect to see around 40 per cent new suppliers in a boutique each year, although this obviously depends on the nature of your business.

The smart thinking says look at the business you want from each of your market sectors, segments and products and allocate your investment, resources and activities accordingly. So before starting to think about buying, you have to really give some serious thought to some initial questions such as how much growth do you want? Are there customers you’re prepared to say goodbye to? How many new customers do you need, by type, product and service? What sales volumes, revenues 36 | boutique. | January 2013

and contribution values do you need for each business or revenue stream and from each sector?

Moreover, what is your product mix in terms of customer type, size, sector, volumes, values, contribution and distribution channel or route to market? What trends and percentage increase/decrease in sales compared to last year are you envisaging? Is your market share per business stream and sector changing, and how does this compare with your overall business aims? Which are your fast-growth high-margin opportunities, and what are your mature and low-margin products?

Supply and demand 1. Positioning your purchase You can do this with a simple matrix – these are useful in positioning brands versus sectors in your store that you need to fill (areas such as work wear tops or jewellery to pick a couple at random). Basically, this breaks down to branded or generic product or some point along this spectrum. It’s a sensible if somewhat sobering idea to use a buying matrix to plot where your brands sit. Buy for a range of price options: low, mid and high, for example, and allocate your cash across the categories. Use the matrix system to ensure that your categories are all filled. Remove multiple brands in a category – for high-end ladies leather gloves, for instance, one supplier would be enough.

The more branded the product the more opportunity to develop strategic alliances (sole supplier in a town for instance). Here collaboration becomes a buying and supporting tool: are you going to promote your stock lines via Twitter or Facebook for instance? Will you take out regional adverts for the products? Things like this promote the brand regionally, which will be a key factor when brands are on the lookout for a regional partner.

The more generic the product, the more choice you have of suppliers, and the more you can negotiate – the cheaper the product will be. It’s the rule of supply and demand – restricted supply increases demand.

2. Raising relations As the buyer you’re going to have the closest relationship to your suppliers – take the time to train your sales people – don’t assume that anything is obvious, it’s probably only obvious to you – tell the brand’s story over and over again.

3. Measuring suppliers There are myriad supplier measurement processes. All of the processes do basically the same thing – give you some sort of rating on a scale between ‘hero’ and ‘dud’ based on variable factors. The key to success is sticking with the same simple measurements – and doing it regularly.

4. Price versus cost Price is different from cost. The terms are often interchanged in business, which can lead to some costly confusion. Price is only one of the elements that makes up total cost. There are many other factors to consider when deciding whether one brand or proposition really is better than another (such as cost of reputation).

Profit margins, quality and environmental factors are important as well as time, supply irregularities and payment terms. All of these should be considered when assessing or comparing the actual final cost of a proposition, product or service.

One of the side effects of the new economy has been the need to do more with less. Resources are suddenly more limited and the need to get maximum return is paramount.

The key is to target any initiatives at parts of the business with the most serious potential: new sectors, segments, products or services. Focus on just a couple of areas for growth and remember that simplicity is always the key.

Good luck with your buying for AW13 and beyond!

Rachel Parkin is a jewellery designer and accessories wholesaler for the Balagan Group as well as the owner of Peterborough independent Reba boutique.

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FINANCE Money matters

Investment purchases

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uilding a business and staying ahead of competitors often needs capital. But if the banks aren’t lending and you don’t have the funds to make that all-important investment, a major opportunity may be missed. Thankfully, all is not lost.

With a little planning (and the right contacts) it’s possible to obtain the cash needed to project your business into the retail stratosphere…

January 2013 | boutique. | 41

ADVERTORIAL

The year for independents A

Why 2013 could be the year for boutiques to really shine

s the majority of us trudged back to work following a festive season of over indulgence, the high street began 2013 suffering from a similar Christmas hangover. Overall sales weren’t as high as the experts had predicted and fashion figures were some of the worst hit in the retail industry.

According to the latest stats from the British Retail Consortium, 2012’s final quarter saw total sales rising only 1.5 per cent on the previous year – an figure lower than inflation.

Meanwhile, just before the Christmas break, news came that the growth in Britain’s economy for the third quarter had been revised down from 1 per cent to 0.9 per cent. And while that might seem a meagre amount, experts say it’s a stark reminder that this country has a long road ahead to financial recovery.

But it isn’t all doom and gloom: according to market watchers and trend analysts the independent’s stock

44 | boutique. | January 2013

is rising. The initially posh penchant for shopping local at delicatessens, boutiques and the like is beginning to filter through to the entire country.

As a case in point, global corporation Tesco hit the headlines this month after the press discovered it was parading a small chain of coffee houses under the guise of indie-esque establishment Harris and Hoole.

Why? Because shoppers are turning their backs on mass-corporations in in favour of independently owned businesses.

Indeed it seems that choosing indies and niche stores over multiples and mass-market brands is finally becoming a growing trend.

Capitalising on this unique appeal is essential for boutique owners that want to succeed in these uncertain times. It’s no longer enough to wait for shoppers to come to buy; these days, with so much competition, the independents doing the best trade are those that have built up a loyal fan base while actively reaching out to new

potential customers.

It has been suggested that independents thrive when they are grouped together and that attracting shoppers to a row of indies through cross-promotions is the best way to engage communities and boost footfall.

Clare Rayner, the founder of Independent Retailer Month in the UK, recently launched the Support for Independent Retail Campaign – a year-round call to action to encourage the public to shop locally. Her original event Independent Retailer Month, which runs every July, focuses on drumming up interest in local stores with special promotions, activities and events. This idea was then applied to the Celebrate an Independent Christmas campaign, which kicked off this November and December in several towns around the county.

Meanwhile, Enjoy an Independent Easter is the founder’s latest brainchild and is set to help indies boost their takings when it starts this March.

When launching the inaugural Independent Retailer Month event in July 2011, many womenswear retailers were reluctant to take part amid fears that it would attract new customers during their end-of-season sale. It was thought by many that this move could be detrimental to their brand.

But by 2012 other fashion indies, including Deryane Tadd, owner of award winning boutique The Dressing Room in St Albans, took advantage of the campaign and reaped the rewards.

During the month-long scheme the owner launched an online competition

ADVERTORIAL

inviting customers to explain why they shopped with independents via social media – the initiative generated a huge response and the best weekly comment won a prize. Following the event Tadd reported a four per cent increase in sales. At the time, Rayner said: “What The Dressing Room has proved is that it doesn’t matter if it’s sale time or not; any independent retailer who focuses on how to really engage the interest of the local customer and who promotes the benefits of shopping with independents will get results.

Paul Turner-Mitchell, owner of 25-Ten Boutique, has also been vocal in his belief that indies must put on a united front to succeed. He agrees that independent store owners across all sectors should work together as complete town centres and offer customers ongoing promotions to

attract footfall. “In Wigan, for example, a retail and transport collaboration offers free travel to the shops for all the family if any member of the household travels by bus to the football,” he wrote in an article last month. “Customers also get tailored offers based on personal interests by text messages or by inserting smart cards into touch points in the town centre.”

The rise of online sales mustn’t go unnoticed either. For while internet figures only made up 10 to 12 per cent of overall Christmas sales in the latest quarter, they are rapidly rising – and experts predict that the figures are only going to grow further still.

With this in mind, we’ve seen indies reaping the rewards of clubbing together online. Several independent communities around the country have launched collaborative websites to

give them an e-commerce presence while keeping the costs low. The first – MyHigh.St – launched to high acclaim last year. The innovative site groups stores by town so customers can support nearby local businesses while still enjoying the convenience of shopping online.

Today’s climate has made it tough for retailers to thrive. However, indies retain an advantage over multiples: the ability to offer a personal service in every sense of the word.

So while the rest of retail industry battles with losses and poor figures, independents are helping keep the high street alive. There’s a long road ahead, but with shrewd planning, creative thinking and clever investments from indie owners, 2013 could be the year that boutiques really shine.

January 2013 | boutique. | 45

ADVERTORIAL

Time to grow S

Make 2013 a year to remember by investing in a financially sound expansion plan for the future your business

ome say that money makes the world go round. But what if there isn’t a lot of it about?

According to recent research by the Cambridge and Counties Bank, in the first half of last year Britain had 47,777 overdraft and loan applications worth as much as £2.5 billion rejected.

And while the government is being proactive with schemes such as the new Business Bank initiative – which is set to start lending later this year – it’s still doubtful that every SMEs’ borrowing need will be met.

The credit issue is of course detrimental to any boutique owner that wants to grow their business this year. Without capital, it means many will be unable to refurbish, invest or expand. And while other business types may be able to ride the recession 46 | boutique. | January 2013

wave without injecting much cash into improvements, fashion retailers have to stay ahead of the curve by investing in the latest lines.

We all know business is tough for today’s independent retailers. Battling for custom against mass corporations online and elsewhere on the high street is no mean feat. But it’s not all bad news: the percentage of empty shops in the UK is slowly on the decline while increasing numbers of new indies are setting up for business.

What’s more, when it comes to figures, the industry’s best boutiques have been barely affected by the recession.

Rather than continuing to offer their customers what worked before 2008, they have revised their strategies, brought in new labels and have

invested in marketing and events that encourage custom and community spirit.

Of course, all of these business improvements cost money. And with the banks failing to dish out the dosh, many simply can’t afford to develop and are stuck in a rut unable to make the necessary changes.

There is one company, however, that is helping SMEs around the UK with their cash flow woes. Merchant Cash Express has pioneered the Business Cash Advance, which is an alternative to an unsecured business loan of up to £150,000. While it’s not the cheapest form of finance, the option offers appealing flexibility as the repayments are based on the boutique’s daily credit and debit card transactions.

In short, if you have a bad week, they

ADVERTORIAL do too. But as your business grows because of the investment you’ve made in it, so do the repayments – and some boutiques manage to pay off the advance in a matter of months.

You don’t have to fill out endless forms, provide a business plan or jump through various hoops. Instead, you can apply online and the team at MCE can give you a no-obligation quote within 24 hours.

The main criterion for qualifying for a Business Cash Advance is that you turn over at least £3,500 on cards per month – and you can qualify for modest sums of money that banks normally wouldn’t be interested in giving you.

Unlike other investors who may want to take a slice of your business in return for injecting capital, the

Business Cash Advance doesn’t require you to give away equity. You don’t need to offer security and you don’t need to sacrifice any part of the business to qualify for the funding.

Once SMEs have tried out a Business Cash Advance and have seen how it can help build their enterprise, the majority apply for another to finance their next investment. In fact, 70 per cent of businesses renew their advance with MCE – helping to keep their business flexible, creative, dynamic and ahead of the curve.

So whatever your business resolutions are for 2013, your dreams maybe closer than you think. It may be a cliché, but more often than not you have to speculate to accumulate. The only question is: how will you spend yours?

How will you spend yours?

Top investment ideas to expand your business EXPANSION If you’ve ever considered opening a second store or expanding your current premises so you can hold more stock, a Business Cash Advance could provide the capital you need to make it happen.

INTRODUCE NEW CATEGORIES Have you always wanted to venture into fine jewellery or bring in a clothing line for children? With MCE, you can use your investment to pay for itself.

STAFF TRAINING Ensure your team offers the best service in the area by investing in each member’s skills and development.

DIGITAL MARKETING Enlist the skills of a talented online marketing expert and use the internet to grow your business to new levels.

REFURBISHMENT Attract more customers and command a higher price point with the introduction of a new store space.

E-COMMERCE SITE Add another string to your store’s bow by enabling the rest of the world to buy your products.

PUBLIC RELATIONS PR can be expensive but don’t under estimate the value of receiving great reviews on a few high-profile blogs or in the local press.

January 2013 | boutique. | 47

BTQ01

BRAND PROFILE

Style staple UK label Tina Taylor offers a strong line-up of quality pieces featuring powerful prints and flattering silhouettes

C

ombining luxurious fabrics, colourful prints and elegant silhouettes, British label Tina Taylor offers a comprehensive collection for women aged 35-plus.

Founded 13 years ago by Tina and Maia, the brand has built up a following of over 100 stockists across the UK and Europe. Its twice-yearly collections are made up of dresses, outerwear, separates, knitwear and accessories that can be easily mixed and matched to offer buyers versatility.

Key pieces include chiffon dresses, embroidered silks, linen and cotton jacquard, classic co-ordinates and breezy silk linens.

The label’s latest collection for AW13 – set to launch at next month’s Pure and Moda – has been inspired by the East. Featuring on-trend tunics alongside dresses, skirts and cardigans in greys, purple, red and blue, separate dressing and layering is key. Buyers

can expect jerseys and patchwork finishes in a variety of hem lengths to create ultra flattering silhouettes.

Meanwhile SS13 is available for immediate delivery and consists of printed dresses, bolero jackets, tops, skirts and cropped trousers that can be dressed up or down for a range of occasions. Colourways include berries and natural tones alongside prints in meadow florals and paisley.

Wholesale prices range from £15 to £69 while there is no minimum order for new customers, enabling boutique owners to test the water before committing a large part of their new season budget.

CONTACT: Tel: 01460 65 803 Tinataylor.co.uk

January 2013 | boutique. | 49

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT

The perfect fit London’s Shop Fittings Boutique is a treasure trove of unique mannequins, rails and display units

A

s an independent retailer dedicated to supplying other indies, East London’s Shop Fittings Boutique prides itself on offering individual products and a supreme service.

The company is the brainchild of Ramiro Torres, who owns independent rockabilly and vintage style clothing group Collectif, which has four branches across London. “We use all the products from Shop Fittings Boutique across the Collectif stores,” he explains. “This allows us to learn what works and what doesn’t – giving us a clear advantage over our competitors and a firm grasp of what

50 | boutique. | January 2013

our customers need.”

According to the owner, before launching the company there was “a real lack of individuality in the shop fittings and display market.”

And with this in mind, he joined forces with managing director John Alston and manager Hovhannes Baktamyan to bring his unique vision to life.

Promising to offer high quality products, outstanding service and expert advice, Shop Fittings Boutique is a one-stopshop for “interesting and unique” mannequins, rails, mirrors and more.

The company’s current hero product range is its wide selection of rails, racks and shelving, which includes decorative pieces to complement independent fashion retailers. These include Victorian and Curly metal rails featuring elegant shapes that will help create a unique look in store.

For 2013, the company is increasing its product lines further still with the introduction of a new carrier bag

service. Offering boutiques three ways to buy bags, buyers can choose from off-the-shelf versions, fully bespoke designs with an eightweek delivery timeframe or 48-hour luxury or budget personalised bags and boxes. Boutique owners can simply select the type of bag they require, supply a logo and then wait for a box of bags and stickers to arrive in superquick time.

Prices range from £66 + VAT for rails and £55 + VAT for mannequins while bag costs are available on request. Boutique owners can buy online or over the phone while the company also operates a showroom on Commercial Road in Shoreditch that is open daily.

CONTACT: Tel: 0207 247 3430 Shopfittingsboutique.co.uk

Handmade in England ...since 1983 Out of Xile moves into its 30th year as a champion of British manufacture and the independent retailer.

2

013 is a key anniversary for Out of Xile.

For 30 years, this uniquely British brand has always been almost entirely handmade in small workshops around England, and every garment has been trimmed, dyed and finished in the UK. Out of Xile believes in offering every shop its own unique story, so it always works with local, independent retailers who know their customers one-to-one. Every stockist is assured of local exclusivity, but founder Cathy Hewlett is keen to introduce her designs to regions where the brand isn’t currently available.

The new Autumn collections will be at Who’s Next, Paris (Stand K09, 19-22 January) and Pure, London (Stand S79, 10-12 February), but they are already showing all over the country by appointment.

There are over 70 styles to mix and match, with a wide range of gorgeous colours and luxurious trims, in sizes 10-20. As always, Out of Xile uses exclusively natural fabrics (velvet, silks, cotton and fine woollens).

The key to all the collections is individuality and quality at an affordable price, whether customers are looking for everyday wear, or a gorgeous, unique outfit for that special occasion.

Out of Xile Hand mad e i n eng l a n d

To See auTumn 2013, ConTaCT: Cathy Hewlett or Anthony Packer 020 8348 2448 enquiries@outofxile.co.uk www.outofxile.co.uk

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CITY LINK

The retail scene spotlight

Plymouth

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eeped in history and unique charm, the seaside town of Plymouth has all the makings of a diverse shopping destination. However, dominated by the likes of Primark, the independent womenswear arena is failing to shine‌

January 2013 | boutique. | 55

CITY LINK

Port in the storm While Plymouth offers character, history and some charming independent quarters, womenswear boutiques have struggled to gain a foothold in a city centre dominated by multiples, says Alice Wright

P

lymouth is a city that has been shaped by the sea and its rich maritime history can be felt at every turn.

Its narrow cobbled streets and Elizabethan warehouses provide a vivid reminder of the city’s briny past.

Originally Plymouth’s old port, The Barbican is where successful maritime traders and merchants settled. Fastforward to today and the historic quarter is full of specialist shops, art galleries, quirky cafes and restaurants, with boats bobbing up and down in the harbour nearby.

While the Barbican’s swashbuckling traders have long gone, the city’s economy is still strongly influenced by seafaring. Shipbuilding forms a key part of local industry and Plymouth is also home to HMNB Devonport, the largest operational naval base in Western Europe. Plymouth Hoe offers a fine vantage point to watch some of the activity on the water. Some of the city’s most famous landmarks can also be found here including candystriped lighthouse Smeaton’s Tower, several war memorials and a statue of Plymouth’s honorary son, Sir Francis Drake.

56 | boutique. | January 2013

Here on the waterfront the charm of the city is easy to see, but head further into the city centre and everything becomes a little more homogenous. About 50 per cent of retailers in Plymouth are independent, but these are hard to find along the pedestrianised shopping drag of Armada Way or in the nearby flagship shopping mall.

Drake Circus, which opened to much fanfare in 2006, is billed as “the West Country’s most popular shopping centre”. It offers a glossy shopping experience which has attracted big names such as Next, Primark and Superdry and is responsible for a large chunk of the £610 million annual spend in the city.

While high street chains dominate the city centre, indies do still thrive in the city’s more characterful pockets of such as the Barbican or Ebrington Street. And on Hyde Park Road, where upmarket businesses have long congregated, retailers have recently come together to market themselves under the banner of Hyde Park Village.

Nicola Hurst, a jewellery maker and designer with a gallery on the road, says the aim was to make their little

corner of the city better known. “Our location is perfect,” she says. “We’ve got free parking; we’re all grouped together but we’re away from the town centre; there’s no competition with town. We’re very unique.” She adds: Many now refer to the area as “the Notting Hill of Plymouth.”

However, despite the area’s array of indies, womenswear retailers are absent. And throughout the rest of the city, they are few and far between.

The sparseness could be due to a less adventurous approach to fashion in Plymouth. Indies based here admit shoppers tend to favour high street chains rather than seeking out something a bit different. But Janine Boylin, owner of Spoilt boutique, argues that this could be a symptom rather than a cause. “I’d love there to be more boutiques,” she says. “It gives people that initiative to look harder when they’re shopping.” But the rising popularity of Plymouth’s independent quarters proves there’s an appetite for unique retailers. So perhaps, given the chance, its locals would welcome the opportunity to veer away from the doors of Primark towards something different.

CITY LINK

The Barbican

The bombed-out church

Plymouth Hoe

Drake Circus

As well as numerous independent shops and eateries, the Barbican is also home to the Plymouth Gin Distillery and the studio gallery of the late eccentric painter Robert Lenkiewicz, who lived and worked in the area for many years.

With views over the Plymouth Sound and across the Hamoaze estuary to Cornwall, this large public space is a popular destination for visitors and locals. It also overlooks Tinside Pool, a 1935 Art Deco lido, that offers a picturesque place to take a dip in the summer months.

A reminder of the bombing raids on Plymouth during the Second World War which destroyed much of the city centre, it was decided not to rebuild this church but to keep it as a memorial of 1,200 civilian deaths.

Billed as the West Country’s most popular shopping centre, this large shopping mall offers more than 70 shops under one roof alongside a range of places to eat and drink.

January 2013 | boutique. | 57

CITY LINK

THE INSIDE STORY Alice Wright gets the lowdown on two Plymouth womenswear indies

Spoilt 26 Southside Street, Plymouth

A

hairdresser by trade, Spoilt founder Janine Boylin has always been passionate about the fashion industry. And after becoming frustrated by the lack of individuality on offer in Plymouth’s shops, she came up with the idea of setting up her own boutique with a friend.

The pair began by designing their own pieces and selling them online.

But, after her original business partner left to concentrate on other things, another friend came on board and they decided to find a bricks-and-mortar home for their growing enterprise.

Spoilt opened on Southside Street, in the Barbican, about four years ago.

Although the location is slightly off the beaten track, Boylin says it is perfect for the kind of shopping experience she wants to create.

“I didn’t want to be in town because you’d just get a shop full of people who weren’t necessarily interested in what we were doing,” she says.

The owner’s original vision for the shop was high-end and for the first season price points went from £150 to £300. However, as the credit crunch took hold, she quickly saw that the business would have to adapt to customers’ shrinking budgets and prices now vary from £30 – £95.

Boylin spends time looking for labels that aren’t necessarily well known such as Darling, Valour and Valkyrie, picking out items that have “a bit of an edge without being too out there”. New pieces are added every couple of weeks and she regularly moves the shop around to ensure that regular customers don’t miss anything.

Spoilt’s carefully selected range has clearly hit the mark, attracting a broad spectrum of customers from those 58 | boutique. | January 2013

aged in their mid-teens right up to women in their 80s. Illustrating the diverse appeal of her offer, Boylin says a woman came in to buy something for her 80th birthday party and picked out a pretty top while the next day a young girl came in and bought the very same piece for her eighteenth birthday.

The atmosphere in the shop is friendly and welcoming, with Billy the dog usually greeting customers from his spot on the chaise longue.

Meanwhile, the addition of a mini hair salon at the back of the store has added to the lively atmosphere. “It’s been brilliant,” says Boylin. “People come in and while they have their colour done they’ll wander around and have a look at the stock. It’s like popping round to a friend’s house.”

Although it has proved a real asset to the business, the idea for bringing the additional element of hairdressing came about almost by accident after the owner bought her last business partner out and started working in the shop full-time.

Previously she had worked in the shop every other week and did a bit of hairdressing at home in between. “I

thought: ‘when am I going to get time to do my family and friends’ hair’,” she says. “So I just bought a couple of secondhand stations and popped them out the back.”

While Boylin was only planning to see to her friends and family’s hair in her spare time, her reputation grew and more clients began to seek out her services. And to capitalise on the interest, she decided to make it a fully-fledged part of the business. “It’s grown so much, I had to get in more stylists because I couldn’t cope with the workload,” she says.

As a result, Spoilt is now practically a one-stop makeover destination. “We stay open late on the evening so people can have their hair done, have their make-up done, change their dress and go straight out,” she says.

And Boylin hopes to take the business even further in the next few years. “We’ve got quite a lot of plans for the future,” she says. “We need bigger premises as we’re looking to expand everything. But we’ll stay in the same area. I love it here, it’s a bit quaint and there’s a very different atmosphere to everywhere else.”

January 2013 | boutique. | 59

CITY LINK

Safi 155 Armada Way, Plymouth

S

afi owner Purity Wood’s love affair with fashion began during her days working as a model in London. As well as earning her some valuable contacts, she also learned that “anybody can look good in the right clothes”.

So when she tired of making the long round trip from Plymouth to the capital she decided to use what she had learned to open an online shop.

And right from the off, the items she picked out were snapped up – cementing her belief that she had a keen eye for great buys. “I realised that everything I bought where being worn by celebrities,” she says. “People would search for those clothes and they would just sell. I would get items even before some of the large companies.”

With the online business going so well, Wood opened a physical shop on Plymouth’s Armada Way at the end of last year. And with a range of glamorous outfits from labels like City Goddess, items were flying off the rails within a few weeks of opening.

“I mostly stock UK-made labels because we wanted to really promote homegrown designers,” she says. “Also, thinking from the customer’s point of view, we wanted to put something out there that they’d be able to afford.”

With this in mind, the owner has been careful to cater for all pockets, with dresses ranging from £20 to £120.

That said, she still doesn’t scrimp on quality. “That is very important to me,” she says. “I’m not going to compete with Primark on price – there’s no point. Also there’s the ethical side to consider when buying.”

Creating an ethical business is clearly a priority. Wood has forged links with Jeremiah’s Journey – a local charity that supports children who have lost a loved one – and on the weekend before Christmas she donated all of her profits to the cause.

While the business is still in its infancy, the owner says she is really enjoying the experience of running her own shop and has already learned 60 | boutique. | January 2013

a lot. “Customers have been really honest with me,” she says. “If they don’t like something they tell me, for example they’ve asked me to get bigger sizes. I’m getting to understand my customers better and I’ve realised that what works online doesn’t necessarily work in the shop.

She adds: “Online you’re very much subject to the photographer and the model, whereas in here people see the quality. That’s been amazing for me – stuff that wasn’t selling online has just gone once it’s been in the shop.”

Wood has also found that Safi has a much broader appeal than she originally anticipated.

“When we first opened our target customer was aged between 25-35 – but I’ve had people aged over 60 buying our stuff because they want to look fashionable,” she says.

Wood adds that the shop boasts a great location – at the top of one of the main shopping streets in Plymouth and just a stone’s throw from Drake’s Circus shopping centre. Although she does admit that she would prefer the store to be situated a bit further down where footfall is higher.

And while Safi might arguably be in the shadow of some of the biggest retail names, it seems that customers value not only the unique pieces on offer but also the personal service they receive.

“People say when they come in

that they really like the one-to-one service,” Wood says. “I remember that somebody has had a haircut and make a comment. If they walk into a big chain they don’t care. People come back because of that.”

The owner is looking to take on an apprentice but currently runs the shop single-handedly. “I don’t even go for lunch,” she laughs. “When you start up every single penny counts.”

But with the shop proving such a success even in its early days, she already has big plans for the future. “I’d like to open another shop, ideally in the middle of town,” she says. “And in another 10 years I’d like to have shops dotted around residential areas too so people don’t have to come all the way into town.”

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SUPPLIER DIRECTORY Alice Hannah Accessories Ltd Brand - Alice Hannah 7 Plough Lane, Teddington, Middlesex, TW1 9HX T: 020 8349 9383 W: www.alicehannah.co.uk

Amari Designs Ltd Brands: Amari, Lily & Me 12A Newport Industrial Estate, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8EX T: 01566 779477 / 01566 772121 E: sales@amaridesigns.co.uk enquiries@amaridesigns.co.uk W: www.amariuk.com / www.lily-and-me.com

anneodowd agency Brand: Ronen Chen T: 020 7402 5292 E: anne@anneodowd.com W: www.anneodowd.com

Apollo Accessories T: 0121 236 3955 E: sales@eapollo.co.uk W: www.eapollo.co.uk

Arc Agencies Brands: Nümph, Eucalyptus, Friday On My Mind T: 0207 485 8633 E: office@arcagencies.co.uk

Arianna Clothing Contact: Jenny Mullan T: 02890 781195 E: jenny@aria.ie W: www.arianna-clothing.com

Bestseller Wholesale UK Brands: Vero Moda, Vero Moda Very, VILA, ONLY, Selected Femme and Pieces T: 020 3205 03112.

E: sian.nuttall@bestseller.com W: www.bestseller.com

Boutique Agency UK Memento for you jewellery – www. mementoforyou.com Deriva Jewels – www. derivajewels.nl YAYA – www.yaya.nl T: 0208 349 5234 E: contact@boutiqueagencyuk.com W: www.boutiqueagencyuk.com

Capri Clothing T: 0203 490 8361 E: sales@capriclothing.co.uk W: www.capriclothing.co.uk

Carol C Collections Brands: Lindi, UbU Raincoats, Pure Handknits, Neon Buddha, All Beautiful by Enjoy, Tru Luxe Jeans, Picadilly Fashions, ADC, Ana Nonza and Dizzy Sandals.

Contact: Carol Capener or Lisa Speet T: 01626 879998 / 07770 612385 E: c.capener@sky.com / lisaccc@sky.com W: www.carolccollections.com

64 | boutique. | January 2013

Caro London Exclusive Loungewear and Accessories Studio 65, 65a Southgate Road, London, N1 3JS T: 0207 6880596 E: info@carolondon.co.uk W: www.carolondon.com

Chi Chi T: 0208 880 1211 E: chichiconcessions@gmail.com W: www.chichiclothingonline.com

Clamor Fashion Agency Brands: Eva Tralala, Krinès Berlin, Senas (for North of England, Scotland and Wales) and Simclan Contact: Clare Morgan T: 07770 66 49 77 W: www.clamorfashion.com

Crea Concept Contact: Paulette Cohen and Jade Hofmayer T: 020 7436 0631 E: paulette@creaconcept.co.uk W: www.creaconcept.com

Dante T: 01260 226 588 E: dante@live.co.uk W: www.dantejewellery.co.uk

Decollage Ltd Brands: d.e.c.k. by DECOLLAGE. KONTRAST. INFINI MOI. ABSOLUT. Contact: Myles T: 0035 3872 560 925 E: myles@decollage.ie W: www.decollage.ie

Dragon Display Systems Ltd Specialists in wall and centre shop display systems for clothing T: 01952 290055 E: sales@dragondisplay.co.uk W: www.dragondisplay.co.uk

Dynasty Dynasty is one of the UK’s leading occasionwear labels. Using only the finest fabrics and most beautiful embellishments and prints, their talented team of designers and suppliers create stunning designs each season,.

T: 0208 736 0200 E: enquiries@dynastyuk.co.uk W: www.dynastyuk.co.uk

Element23 Jocelyn Whipple is an expert in sustainable and ethical fashion. All of the brands represented by Element23 carry an ethos of environmental and social care. “Our offering is carefully selected to give buyers and consumers a unique and exciting range of products that carry exceptional design integrity and inspiring approaches to sustainability.” Brands: Stewart+Brown, Privatsachen, Kami, Raffauf, Les Racines Du Ciel, Organic Leather Contact: Jocelyn Whipple T: 07870 400 502 E: jocelyn@element23.co.uk W: www.element23.co.uk

Essay Collections Limited Brand: ART Contact: Momi / Ijaz T: 0207 636 2828 E: sales@essaycollections.com W: www.essaycollections.com

Essential Collections Ltd Brands: Pause Café, Les Fées Du Vent, Epicéa, Un Point C’est Tout, Gantebs T: 0161 238 8570 E: info@essentialcollections.net W: www.essentialcollections.net

Eucalyptus Clothing T: 0207 740 6323 E: enquiries@eucalyptusclothing.co.uk W: www.eucalyptusclothing.co.uk

Eurostop Limited Contact: Phillip Moylan T: 020 8991 2700, E: Phillipm@eurostop.co.uk W: www.eurostop.co.uk

Extravagance Limted T/A Sarah Pacini Brand: Sarah Pacini Contact: Nazma T: 020 7636 1280 E: nazmac@sarahpacini.com W: www.sarahpacini.com

Gift Warehouse Scarves, Handbags and Jewellery Supplier Contact: Kewel Athwal T: 0115 946 1173 W: www.giftwarehouse.eu

Ingenue London T: 0207 247 7424 E: wholesale@ingenuelondon.com W: www.ingenuelondon.com

Kutuu Kutuu is a brand created by Hannah Salomon.

The range of jewellery and gifts combines messages, words and symbols to create inspiring designs holding special meanings. All products are made in the UK and assembled by hand.

Unit 2 Long Barn, Pistyll Farm, Nercwys, Mold, CH7 4EW T: 01352 756797 E: mail@kutuuwholesale.co.uk W: www.kutuuwholesale.co.uk

Leap N Link Ltd Brands: Leslie Monte-Carlo, Aventures Des Toiles Contact: Pierre and Bhavna T: 0161 713 1803 E: info@leapnlink.co.uk W: www.leapnlink.co.uk

Lesser & Pavey Ltd Suppliers of Quality and Original Products V&A Bags, Travel Mugs, Keep Calm products, Trendy Quality Reading Glasses, Fashion Eye Lashes, Foil Nails and Sparkle Lips, Social Stationery.

T: 01233 279225 E: sales@leonardo.co.uk W: www.leonardo.co.uk

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY Madam Rage Update your Boutique with the hottest women’s fashion of the season from Madam Rage’s fantastic collection of women’s formal, going out dresses, tops and knitwear. Carries stock and short order T: 01977 551907 E: wholesale@madamrage.co.uk W: www.madamrage.com

Maple Leaf Clothing Brand: Mo boutique T: 0191 2715588 E: info@moboutique.co.uk W: www.moboutique.co.uk

MDA International Brands: Lauren Vidal, Myrine & Me, Indi and Cold, Angels Never Die and Pure by M. Contact: Martin, Jacq, Hannah or Kate T: 01234 782900 E: office@mdainternational.co.uk W: www.mdainternational.co.uk

Michael Dawson Fashion Agency Brands: KJ Brand, Ellbi and Ellbi Piu, Mona Lisa, Reichart Blusen and Laurie Contact: Michael Dawson T: 0161 236 1976 E: michael.dawsonfa@ntlworld.com W: www.mdfa.co.uk

Morplan T: 0800 435 333 E: sales@morplan.com W: www.morplan.com

Nomads Clothing Discovering AW12 Trends – Global Traveller meets Moorland Mist.

Contact: Shallon and Jo T: 01566 777 338 E: info@nomadsclothing.co.uk W: www.nomadsclothing.com

Notre Dame Paris French and Italian ladies wear in stock, new styles arriving daily.

18 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QP T: 0207 631 3280 E: info@creationnotredame.co.uk W: www.creationnotredame.co.uk

Olsen UK Ltd 3rd Floor Moray House, 23-31 Gt. Titchfield Street, W1W 7PA T: 0207 290 0890 078414 53 444 W: www.olsenfashion.com

Partners In Fashion Brands: Erfo, Frank Walder, Diktons, Just White, Kirsten, Michele, Monari, Schneiders, Seda, Tendenza 2010 T: 020 7636 4207 E: sales@partnersinfashion.co.uk W: www.partnersinfashion.com

Paraspar eCommerce Solutions Brands: Firetrap, White Stuff, Crew Clothing, Sweaty Betty, New Era Caps and Foot Asylum T: 0845 2305665 E: info@paraspar.co.uk W: www.paraspar.co.uk

Pearla Blanca S/S13 Collection Interesting, individual clothes at high street prices. £100 POS voucher with every order. No minimum order. Free UK delivery.

Studio 16, Island House, 200 Wandle Road, Wimbledon, SM4 6AU Contact: Ozlem Moss T: 020 3286 9357 E: ozlem@perlablanca.co.uk W: www.perlablanca.co.uk

Poshtotti Clothing Contact: Amanda Burwell T: 01548 858881 W: www.poshtotticlothing.co.uk

Purlfrost Ltd Purlees is an online store supplying seasonal and festive themed shop window stickers.

Brand: Purlees T: 020 8992 4024 E: info@purlees.com W: www.purlees.com

Red Rose Software Multi channel business system solutions for the footwear, fashion & apparel industry Brand: Footwear & Apparel Management Contact: Kevin Meers T: 020 8123 8280 E: kevin@redrosesoftware.co.uk W: www.redrosesoftware.co.uk

Rise Fashion Brands: Rise, Rise Boutique, E1 London T: 0203 538 1226 E: info@risewholesale.com W: www.risewholesale.com

Robert Ross International Brands: Luis Civit, Aldo Martin Barcelona, Lewis Henry London Contact: Stanley or Amanda T: 0207 323 2012 E: robertrossint@tiscali.co.uk

Ruby Rocks Footwear Beautiful shoes inside and out!

Contact: Nadene Stevenson T: 07758 591995 E: info@uksole.co.uk W: www.rubyrocksfootwear.com

Sally Dawes Agency Brands: CANNISSE Elegant Casualwear, ET DIEU CREA LA FEMME, Contemporary Outerwear, CATHERINE ANDRE, Premium Knitwear, EVA & CLAUDI, Knitwear and Prints, A.B, Italian Soft Dressing T: 0116 279 01 51 E: sally@sallydawes.com W: www.sallydawes.com

Silentnight Footwear Limited Brands: Heavenly Feet, Nordika’s, Silentnight, Valverde T: +44 (0)1858 414424 E: stuart@silentnightfootwear.co.uk W: www.silentnightfootwear.com

Stock Wanted – Earn £££’s Merino Fashions Ltd Unit 10, Beech Avenue Business Park, Beech Avenue, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK, HG2 8DS T: 01423 872 868 / 07971 898 477 E: gillie@merinofashions.co.uk

Suzie Blue Jewellery T: 01664 823261 W: www.suziebluejewellery.co.uk

TCA Showroom One of the UK’s largest fashion wholesale agencies with a large selection of brands for men and women Brands: Sinequanone, Sealkay, Klaya, New man, Gaudi, Les lumiere de la pluie Contact: Kinsie Sidolle and Carl Easton T: 0203 432 6385 E: kinsie.tcashowroom@gmail.com carl.tcashowroom@gmail.com W: www.tcashowroom.com

The Absolute Group Luxury and E-Commerce Packaging – Gift and Product Boxes, Carrier Bags, Woven Labels, Swing Tickets and Garment Trims.

Unit 7 Dorma Trading Park., Staffa Road, Leyton, London, E10 7QX T: 0208 988 5220 E: info@theabsolute.co.uk W: www.theabsolute.co.uk

Voyage Paris Brands: Absolu, Amazone, Calzonie, Eden Rock, Etincelle, Evaline, Exetera, Extenso, Faust, Gregg-Alexess, Jeff Gallano, Jus d’ Orange, Maille Demoiselle, Rendevouz, Sagaie, Tensione T: 020 7636 1892 E: sales@voyageparis.co.uk W: www.voyageparis.co.uk

Wembley Collections Brands: Core, Follow me, King, Unit 15, Lockwood Industrial Park, Mill Mead Road, London N17 9QP Contact: Ash Shah T: 0208 808 0550 E: wembleyfootwear@hotmail.com W: www.wembleyfashions.co.uk

YM Fashion Co (UK) Ltd Brand: Yaccomaricard Contact: Pauline Wickens T: 0207 436 8576 W: www.ym-fashion.co.uk To advertise on these pages please contact the team on

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boutique@cimltd.co.uk January 2013 | boutique. | 65

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