Latest news with #BritishFashion
Vogue
2 days ago
- Business
- Vogue
BFC Chief Exec Laura Weir Sets Out Vision For ‘Next British Fashion Era'
This article first appeared on Vogue Business. It was a tight squeeze inside the pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery in London on Monday night, as scores of designers, retailers, press, PRs, educators and others from across the industry gathered for the British Fashion Council's annual summer party. Always a fun affair, this year's event had fresh energy as members of the BFC community waited to hear from its new CEO, Laura Weir. She did not disappoint. 'Tonight, we are here to celebrate not the next British fashion season, but the next British fashion era,' said Weir, to cheers from the crowd. 'I can't help but feel that since Brexit and Covid, we have been sleeping on the creative British asset that quite literally touches everyone. It is time to reset.' The British Fashion Council summer party at the Serpentine Pavilion and BFC CEO Laura Weir and chair David Pemsel pictured together. Photos: James D Kelly Eleven weeks after she took over from Caroline Rush, Weir used the summer party to announce her first major moves in the role. Among the crowd-pleasers, she revealed that, starting from this September, designers who are members of the BFC will no longer have to pay a fee to show at London Fashion Week. The move will align London with some of the smaller fashion weeks, like Berlin and Stockholm. 'Fashion week is a valuable piece of national IP and our shop window for what creative Britain looks like,' said Weir in the speech. The BFC will also double its investment in the London Fashion Week guest programme, with the aim of encouraging more global press and buyers to attend. She noted that government representatives from Hong Kong, India and the Middle East have requested meetings with her to find out more about London Fashion Week, and are investing millions in building their own local platforms. 'They understand that investment in culture leads to the commercial and reputational success of a nation,' said Weir. 'We have all of that in spades, we've had it for years — we have the fashion week, the creativity, the ambition — and yet we are losing design talent to Paris, Milan and Berlin, not because of a lack of creativity, but because of a lack of infrastructure to support our designers to make, create, show and importantly, to scale in this country.'
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
ASOS Opens First US Pop-Up In NYC And Shares Future Retail Plans
ASOS' NYC pop up is running from June 13th to June 22nd. ASOS, the British online fashion giant known for its vast selection of trend-driven apparel, accessories, and beauty products, has debuted in physical retail in the United States with a pop-up store in New York City's fashionable SoHo neighborhood. The store, located at 120 Wooster Street, welcomes customers from June 13th to June 22nd, marking a significant milestone for ASOS as it transitions from exclusively online shopping to offering a tangible, immersive brand experience. Since its founding in 2000, ASOS has carved out a prominent spot in the competitive fashion landscape by leveraging a unique online business model emphasizing trend cycles and diverse global brands. With 20 million active customers in over 200 markets worldwide, ASOS has gained substantial traction in the U.S. "The U.S. is a hugely important market for us, and our growth here is driven by two key strengths: our unique product assortment and our ability to engage a passionate community of fashion lovers," said Sean Trend, ASOS' Managing Director. "ASOS offers a mix that's hard to find elsewhere, from standout European brands with limited distribution in the U.S. to cult favorites like Oh Polly and sought-after pieces from global brands like Adidas." Customers can shop a curated edit of spring/summer 2025 styles, including exclusive drops, seasonal ... More staples, and pieces from ASOS-owned and partner brands. The decision to establish a physical presence in the U.S. is based on recognizing a key difference in size inclusivity across various categories, including Plus, Tall, and Petite. ASOS' robust online sales in the U.S. have underscored the need to offer customers an experiential interaction with the brand, reinforcing its identity beyond digital screens. The "Summer, Styled by ASOS" pop-up offers a carefully curated selection from the spring/summer 2025 collection, including exclusive drops, seasonal staples, and a blend of ASOS-owned brands like Arrange alongside select partner brands. Arrange, launched in March 2025, is ASOS' new premium line that combines directional design with a distinctively feminine aesthetic, perfect for standout summer moments. "The ASOS NYC pop-up is our first in-person brand experience in the U.S. designed to bring our trend-led fashion to life. Customers can shop a curated edit of spring/summer 2025 styles, including exclusive drops, seasonal staples, and pieces from ASOS-owned and partner brands," Trend explained. Visitors will encounter an environment that echoes the online shopping experience but brings it vividly to life through distinct occasion edits, including Euro Summer, Party Vibes, Occasionwear, and Capsule Wardrobe. Each section offers customers an easy way to build complete looks across clothing, shoes, and accessories, organized by the vibe, moment, or mood they seek. ASOS offers a mix that's hard to find elsewhere, from standout European brands with limited ... More distribution in the U.S. to cult favorites like Oh Polly and Arrange. "The space reflects the ASOS brand: bold, inclusive, and built for discovery," Trend added. "It's a seamless, in-person reflection of how our customer shops online." Moreover, to bridge the digital-physical gap, the store features a digital shopping experience that allows customers to browse and order from ASOS' complete online inventory directly in-store, enhancing convenience and encouraging deeper engagement with the brand. This NYC pop-up is the first in a planned series of physical activations in the U.S., reflecting ASOS' interest in leveraging real-world retail to complement its strong digital presence. Though the company has experimented successfully with pop-ups in the U.K., boosting brand visibility and customer engagement, permanent physical stores are not yet on the immediate horizon. "Right now, this is a test-and-learn moment," Trend said. "We're focused on making this first activation a success and exploring how we might bring similar experiences to other U.S. cities. While permanent retail isn't the immediate plan, if the response is strong, we would love to take the concept to other cities, and we may even invite our customers to help decide where we go next." The store also features menswear and distinct occasion edits like Euro Summer, Party Vibes, ... More Occasionwear, and Capsule Wardrobe, Next up, ASOS plans a mini pop-up at the popular Surf Lodge in the Hamptons over the July 4th weekend. Depending on customer reception and the impact of these initial events, ASOS may expand its physical retail strategy with additional U.S. activations. Trend emphasized the long-term vision: "With any pop-up, our aim goes beyond short-term awareness. We're focused on building long-term consideration and loyalty. We want customers to walk away from the experience with a clear understanding of who ASOS is and why they'll want to come back." ASOS' foray into the U.S. physical retail space mirrors a broader trend among British e-commerce brands seeking to deepen their stateside presence. Gymshark, known for its activewear and fitness community, recently established its first permanent U.S. flagship in New York. The fashion-forward label Never Fully Dressed also expanded into the U.S. with brick-and-mortar locations. These moves underscore the strategic importance British brands place on combining digital prowess with tangible retail experiences, reflecting shifting consumer expectations and the growing value of experiential shopping. For ASOS, entering the physical retail landscape represents an exciting and calculated expansion strategy. One that will deepen relationships with U.S. customers and continue to solidify the brand's position as a versatile and accessible fashion retailer.
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Marcus Fairfax Fountaine Of Fairfax And Favor On His British Countryside-Inspired Label
Campaign imagery Established in 2013 by childhood friends Marcus Fairfax Fountaine and Felix Favor Parker, lifestyle brand Fairfax & Favor celebrates all things British. Drawing inspiration from the countryside, the label is loved for its handcrafted tall boots, accessories and outwear that combines practicality with field-to-town fashion. Having built a loyal customer base, the brand likes to keep busy with events in the U.K. and abroad, most recently at the Badminton Horse Trials and The Defender Kentucky, and this year slo announced Zara Tindall as an official ambassador. xx Marcus Fairfax Fountaine, co-founding director of Fairfax & Favor discusses the evolution of his brand, and what's next for British lifestyle label. Marcus Fairfax Fountaine: My business partner Felix and I have always been passionate about footwear. My mother would always tell us that girls judge boys on their shoes, so creating the highest quality and uniquely stylish products is something that has always resonated with us. We both come from a British rural background and found it frustrating that when you were out in the countryside, wellies really were the only practical option. There was just not any option for looking stylish and being practical at same time. So it just seemed obvious to us that there should be something that let you look the part, feel great but be practical for a rural way of life. This is where Fairfax & Favor was born. What started in 2013 with our iconic boot, the Regina, has since evolved into an award-winning luxury lifestyle brand of quality, timeless and versatile footwear, accessories and outerwear designed for modern rural living. Campaign imagery MFF: Fairfax & Favor is a luxury lifestyle brand. We are aspiring to create effortlessly stylish pieces that blend both heritage and modern rural style - timeless, elegant products with a contemporary take. We very much design the full silhouette for a rural lifestyle but with both town and country living in mind. The great thing about this is that at Fairfax & Favor we are, to a certain degree, designing for ourselves, we are our own customer. Where this might begin is thinking of concepts around problems that we could be trying to improve. So for example, our Explorer Boots were born out of conceptualising our super stylish suede Regina to make elegant yet practical and waterproof boots. We are a rural British brand so will often look to heritage, nature, our equestrian roots and the countryside as inspiration for our collections and colour palettes. After concept, the next stage is sketch and from there we will work with our factory partners to get the product development and any technology in place. In the case of the Explorer, we worked with Sympatex who manufacture the waterproof lining and produce first samples. We'll receive leather swatches with the boot and this process is repeated until we have achieved the final sample. Our products go through rigorous testing to include BLC testing for durability, compliance and safety. Our team will be on site at the factory in Portugal to sign off every individual product that comes off the line. The finishing and packaging of the product is as important to us as its development. As a B-Corp registered company, it's crucial that our materials and factories are all ethically sourced and compliant. The essence of the Fairfax & Favor brand is Rural Vogue, creating luxury heritage pieces but with a contemporary take. We take time to engage with our customers whether that is through research of our Facebook community to understand their needs and what they are looking for. We are a young company with a fresh and modern outlook and keen eyes on seasonal trends that we seamlessly entwine with our quality classics. Campaign imagery From our and a customer point of view, our most important pillars are quality, longevity and timeless style. We want people to invest in products that are not going to be in and out in one season, but are timeless in their design and luxurious in their quality. We work with the best factories in Portugal to handcraft artisan products that will stand the test of time – we want customers to wear our products for years to come. The second is delivering a unique experience for our customers. Whether that's an in-store experience in one of our nine U.K. stores where you're offered a glass of bubbles as you explore the range or a one-on-one private appointment where you can order products in advance and have the exclusive attention of one of our fabulous store team. At our show stands, we love to bring the brand to life. We have a saxophonist and a free bar when you try something on that all adds to the unique experience for the customer. The third would be our excellent customer service. We have a fantastic customer service team that we really invest in because we want our customers to feel reassured and special. It's very much what you'd expect but if you have a great experience, you'll tell those you know and you'll come again. We reflect this service ethos that across all parts of our business. There is such a broad range of customers for Fairfax & Favor as we are truly cross generational. We have a wide range of ages that shop with us and this has expanded from a quite young age base when we first started the brand and as the range and our offer has developed. We are predominantly a female led brand, although our men's share is growing. I'd say ultimately our customer is anyone with a passion for style and adventure. They don't buy into fast fashion, they buy better and so they seek something with longevity and comfort but without compromising on style. Campaign imagery My favorite piece is probably our Mini Windsor handbag. Zara Tindall has worn this many times. It's a really versatile crossbody bag, which is so popular because it is so versatile, beautiful and functional, it has just always been a staple. We're proud to have recently announced Zara Tindall as a brand ambassador. Zara has worn our products for many years and I believe she has a genuine appreciation for our values as a brand - quality, longevity and distinctive styles. We feel very honoured to be working with her. In the last six months we have opened another three stores in the U.K., which now takes us to nine. We know how important it is for customers to be able to see, feel and try on products and so we invest in offering them a multi-channel experience with physical stores and of course our easy to use website. We have just finished Badminton Horse Trials which is one of our biggest events of the year. We had a grand stand with a saxophonist, engaging team and a free bar when customers tried on any item as well as an exclusive lake side area where guests could immerse themselves in the action of the event. Oliver Townend of Great Britain aboard Cooley Rosalent on day four of the MARS Badminton Horse Trials 2025 at The Badminton Estate, Gloucestershire. Picture date: Saturday May 10, 2025. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images) In the U.S. we have just exhibited at Defender Kentucky which is a huge event in the Fairfax & Favor events calendar. We're now getting ready for the next big shows, The Game Fair, an event that was pivotal in our business growth, and The Defender Burghley Horse Trials where we will be paying homage to some of our most iconic pieces. We are expanding well in the U.S. and now have a store located at the Tryon International Equestrian Centre in North Carolina and a presence this year at 23 shows. Our U.S. share of global sales has grown from 3% to 10% in two years, testament to our dedication to nurturing our U.S. consumer and we are very excited to see where this growth takes us in the future.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm 5ft 9' & tried 7 dresses under £20 – Primark's viral one showed my cheeks while ‘flattering' M&S frock was frumpy
FROM runways to affordable high street clothing ranges, we all know that the fashion industry still has a long way to go in creating a more diverse landscape. As well as seriously failing in size - whether you have a bigger or a smaller bust and so on - there's also a serious lack of height inclusivity, something I know too well as someone who's 5'9ft. Historically, mainstream and fast fashion brands have catered for the average height – which reaches just 5ft 4in for a woman in the UK. This means that many trending and viral pieces garments are inaccessible to taller fashionistas like myself - especially when it comes to rocking a mini dress in summer. While I am all for a leggy display, some of the mini frocks are often too short even for my liking - and that comes from someone who sports teeny shorts at the gym. From short cuffs to even shorter hems, finding clothes online, or even in store, that will fit comfortably - and won't have your cheeks on show - can be challenging. So if you're like me and are tired of having to wear maxi dresses when it's boiling hot, see which viral mini frocks, including trending Primark numbers, will cover your dignity - and the ones that will give strangers a full show for free. New Look Tiered Mini Dress, £29.99 12 12 While I rarely shop at New Look - purely because there isn't one near me - my fashion-obsessed friends always rave about their huge collection of summer dresses. One of the many items that have been flying off the shelves is their Tiered Mini Dress, setting you back just £29.99. Available in white and fiery red, this little number can be styled up or down - pair it with hot trainers and you're good to go for a sunny picnic, or team it with strappy heels and you're bound to turn heads. But is it tall girlie-approved? Absolutely - but do make sure to wear skin-toned undies, as the material is quite see-through. Although this summery and flirty frock covered my dignity, it's simply not the one for me - as it felt like I was rocking an apron. Fashion fans 'need' Primark's new £14 linen trousers - there's two colours to choose from and they're great for spring Primark Kids Gingham Check Dress, £10 It's one the latest items that broke the internet - the viral Primark Gingham Check Dress that petite fashionistas could easily pull off, despite it being sold at the kids' section. The gorgeous mini frock, retailing for just a tenner, screams summer picnics in the park thanks to its timeless check print. To give the adorable dress a fair chance, I picked it up in the biggest size possible - aimed for 14 and 15-year-old teenagers. Although I somehow managed to squeeze into this teeny dress, it's safe to say it came off the second I turned around and was gobsmacked by how short it is - which shouldn't have been a shock, really. It's a real shame, as I loved the print and the cut - but if you're anything above 5'5'', I'd suggest to steer clear of this number... unless you want to have your cheeks hanging out - quite literally. New Look Black Square Neck Flared Mini Dress, £32.99 12 This head-turning number features a timeless design that's sure to remain a hit for the summers to come - a square neckline teamed with a flowy bottom half, ideal to hide the bloating from all those cheeky Aperols. Online, this LBD is also available in sky blue and vibrant red - perfect if you want to add a pop of colour to your summer wardrobe. One shopper, who is 5'2'', praised the wallet-friendly frock, claiming it ''gives a lovely shape'' - but will it be tall girl-approved? If you're on the lookout for something basic yet flirty - and comfortable - this dress is a winner. While I wasn't a great fan with how it looked with my white Veja trainers, this LBD would look incredible paired with strappy heels, a golden necklace and statement earrings. More importantly - it covers everything it needs to cover, while still having that cheeky and playful side to it. Top Primark summer buys IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place. Shoppers have recently been raving about the new Miffy PJs from Primark. Others were desperate to nab the new leopard print nightwear. If animal print is your thing, you'll want to check out the new maxi skirts. The haltnerneck tops are perfect for summer. If you're on a budget, these trousers are identical to a pair from Zara, but without the hefty price tag. There's brilliant travel essentials for less than £10. And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won't want to miss these crochet bags. Primark Sleeveless Corset Mini Dress, £23 When in doubt - or on a budget - Primark is the go-to for millions of Brits on the lookout for last-minute garments, or Anthropologie dupes and cotton-rich bedding. In the recent years, our favourite discount retailer has seriously upped its fashion game - and this Sleeveless Corset Mini Dress is no exception. Setting you back a mere £23, this skater-style dress comes in cream, hot pink and floral - the latter of which caught my eye right away - and features an adorable bow detailing on the back. The model online is only a tad bit shorter than me, reaching at 5'7ft - and the dress was already giving quite the leggy display, so it's safe to say I was rather sceptical before putting it on. And rightly so - as while from the front it did cover my bits, you couldn't say the same about the party in the back. Drop Waist Sleeveless Dress, £10 12 After the epic fail of the adorable gingham Primark dress, I didn't have much hope for this Girls Drop Waist Sleeveless Dress, priced at just £10. But while it was clearly too small and designed for someone who hasn't hit puberty yet, it did somehow cover my lower half - though just about. The buttermilk yellow - one of the most trending colours of the season - complimented my tan and I liked the bottom half of the dress. However, if you're on the taller or more athletic side - save that £10, as you won't be able to get both of arms in and you'll most likely just end up looking like an overgrown toddler. 12
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Ask the Style Doctors: ‘Which British fashion brands should I buy?'
In this advice series, Telegraph fashion experts Lisa Armstrong and Stephen Doig answer readers' what-to-wear dilemmas. This week, they advise on how the best British brands to shop now and the return of the waist. Dear Stephen, I'm increasingly keen that when shopping for clothes I help feed into our economy and secure jobs for UK craftspeople. So how can I make sure to buy British? – Charles Dear Charles, This is an issue that's become increasingly thorny in today's fashion landscape – like 'greenwashing', the practice of claiming to be eco-friendly while doing no such thing, there can be a fair amount of 'localwashing'. This means that a brand proudly claims to be ' Made in Britain ', but that involves some zips or finishing being applied in Blighty while the majority of the work is done elsewhere. If you're interested, it's a topic tackled nobly by Patrick Grant, the tailor and The Great British Sewing Bee judge in his book Less, which urges us to stop our over-consumption. Grant writes about companies who are swaggeringly British in their branding, but do little to support the local economies from which they sprang. Cotton pique polo, £120, Private White VC For instance, Aquascutum and Hunter are just two 'British' brands that don't make in the UK. Grant includes an excellent glossary of pieces that are genuinely 'Made in Britain' from start to finish, including his own initiative Community Clothing, which is excellent (great socks), as well as Barbour, Begg & Co, Margaret Howell, Private White VC and many others that produce in a way that feeds into the UK economy, creates jobs and safeguards skills. Ribbed cotton socks, £8.50, Community Clothing From my own experience, I've been lucky enough to visit many factories that are based in the UK: Sunspel in Northampton, for example, which makes expensive but very, very good T-shirts, as well as Johnstons of Elgin, Emma Willis shirts in Gloucestershire and the many shoemakers based in Northampton. One thing to note is that this is a more expensive way to buy clothes than ordering from a fast-fashion retailer, where the products will likely be pumped with plastics. But I'd rather buy less and better, and little items – like Rooska socks made by a local family-run company in Leicestershire – that aren't pricey considering they're properly made. – Stephen Dear Lisa, Is there any sign of the waist coming back anytime soon? All those empire lines make everyone look seven months pregnant. – Yvonne Dear Yvonne, You're in luck. The waist is emphatically back, on the catwalks, on the red carpets (think Demi Moore's series of drastically cinched-in gowns during this winter's award season, although she was far from the only one), and it's in the stores too. A good starting place is Jasper Conran, who has made a speciality of the shirt dress in various natural fabrics and weights (from £350). Bubble hem dress, £115, Cos Anthropologie is always worth a look. Cos has beautiful bubble-hem sleeveless dresses – that sounds weird, but they look subtly different in a not-too-artsy, sophisticated way and come in soft neutral shades, although you may not go for the 100 per cent recycled polyamide sell… in fact waisted dresses are everywhere. Nothing like the constricted gowns Moore et al wore, but more gentle and comfortable for a 16-hour stint. Separates are another route to stylish contouring. My eye is on a bubble skirt and matching top from M&S in a beautiful cherry red cotton that should hit the stores in a few weeks. – Lisa
