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Bespoke shopping concept checks in at The Savoy hotel
BY AMY SHIELDS Fashion heavyweights including former Arnotts chief executive David Riddiford, former Liberty creative director Yasmin Sewell and former Aquascutum creative director Valerie Wickes have backed a new luxury retail venture offering bespoke shopping services to guests at some of the world’s leading hotels. The team has partnered with
former advertising consultant Simon Thompson to launch the concept at The Savoy in London this week. Shop at The Savoy invites the
hotel’s 750,000 annual visitors to buy an edited selection of product from luxury brands through channels including
Shopatthesavoy.com and a hotel boutique to open in March. The collection is hand-picked each
season by Sewell, who is also a consultant, and includes pieces from
YOUNG FASHION The venture has also teamed with
retailers and brands including Selfridges, Dunhill and Anya Hind- march to offer VIP privileges on shopping sprees such as access to private entrances and rooms. Riddiford was appointed non-
Shopping in style: Shop at The Savoy
designer indie Matches, Alexander McQueen and Bottega Veneta. In addition, Shop at The Savoy
offers access to bespoke services including personal shoppers and retail guides to fashion and retail hotspots including pop-up stores.
executive director of Change Retail, the business behind the venture created by Thompson, in June. The service will be exclusive to The Savoy hotel for one year, after which Thompson will roll the concept out to other luxury hotels. The Savoy has signed up to the venture for 10 years. Thompson said: “Five-star hotels
tend to offer two-star retail. I felt The Savoy presented an extraordi- nary opportunity to develop a complete five-star shopping concept that interacted with the shopper in a very personal way.”
MULTIPLES
Edinburgh Woollen Mill sales stay flat
Edinburgh Woollen Mill, the Scot- tish clothing and gifts retailer, said sales remained flat for the year to February 27 despite it opening 21 stores during the period. According to figures filed at
Companies House, the retailer, which has 310 stores, had a turnover of £156.8m, down from £157.8m the year before. Pre-tax profits were £22.5m, 2.2% down from £23m the previous year. The impact of the sales growth
from new stores was offset by the transfer of its soft furnishings chain Ponden Mill, which it acquired in January 2008, to subsidiary company Duvetco in February 2009. The retailer said in a statement:
“For the second year in succession the adverse economic situation created a very competitive and price-sensitive market.” Edinburgh Woollen Mill was
unavailable for comment as Drapers went to press.
7 For All Mankind gears up for UK retail offensive
US premium denim brand 7 For All Mankind will launch a transactional UK website in January and has outlined plans for seven new UK stores as it looks to expand its retail operation. The website will sell the entire 7
For All Mankind collection including jeans, cargo pants and chinos and will be marketed using social media sites such as Facebook. Massimo Ferrucci, general
manager at 7 For All Mankind, said: “Ecommerce, like wholesale, will be a major part of the business.” 7 For All Mankind was the original
Los Angeles premium denim brand and started wholesaling in the UK in 2000. It is owned by Italian brand
4 Drapers December 3 2010
house VF Corporation and premium retailer Joseph is its UK sales agent. It made its UK retail debut with a
store in London’s Notting Hill in September and last month opened a second store on Regent Street. Ferrucci said it planned to open
up to seven more UK stores in the next five years, primarily in London. The retailer is eyeing Covent Garden as its next location and plans to open there by the end of next year. Ferrucci said he would consider
openings in other UK cities including Leeds and Manchester.
j See Shop Watching for more on the Regent Street store p18
Ultimo shows off its Scottish roots
Lingerie brand Ultimo launched a limited-edition set of Scottish-inspired underwear to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. Ultimo Tartan went on sale in 145 Debenhams stores and on the brand’s website on November 30, the feast day of the patron saint of Scotland. Ultimo founder Michelle Mone said tartan had become popular thanks to designers including Christopher Kane and Vivienne Westwood. The Tartan set is available in back sizes from 30 inches to 38 inches and cup sizes A to D priced at £12 for the thong and £27 for the bra. Ultimo was founded in Scotland in 1999.
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