Latest news with #JohnstonsofElgin
Press and Journal
27-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Johnstons of Elgin posts £305k loss after tough year for luxury market
One of Moray's most historic employers, Johnstons of Elgin, reported a pre-tax loss of £305,000 last year after what it called a 'challenging year' for the global luxury sector. The result marks a sharp decline from the £4.6 million profit the family-owned company posted in 2023. Johnstons, a cornerstone of Elgin's economy for over 225 years, saw annual sales fall by 6% to £94.2m, down from £100m the previous year. The company had flagged the slowdown in September when it announced jobs were being cut at its Elgin mill. Newly filed accounts show that demand fell more sharply than expected in 2024, forcing Johnstons to restructure parts of its business and absorb increased overheads, including wage inflation. Despite difficult trading conditions, there were bright spots. Its retail division performed strongly, growing its turnover by 4%. The growth was fuelled by improved online sales and strong footfall at its flagship stores – including a new location at London's prestigious Burlington Arcade. Managing director Johanna Wallace said the business entered 2024 expecting further growth, but demand quickly fell away due to global economic uncertainty and changing consumer behaviour. 'It took time to react to the subsequent downturn shift in the market, resulting in inefficiencies in our mills and some restructuring costs,' she wrote in the company's strategic report. The firm said it expects the luxury market to stabilise over time, but that growth will likely be slower than in recent years. 'We continue to invest in additional capacity to meet future growth demands of our private label clients and the Johnstons of Elgin brand,' added Ms Wallace. The Elgin-based manufacturer produces high-end cashmere and woollen garments, both under its own Johnstons of Elgin label and for major international luxury brands. Products are made from start to finish in Scotland, with spinning, weaving, finishing and embroidery all carried out at its Elgin and Hawick sites. Despite the downturn, chief executive Chris Gaffney said the company remains focused on long-term strategy. This includes investing £4.7m in capital projects, including expanding capacity at both mills and upgrading machinery. Mr Gaffney also highlighted a £5.4m improvement in the company's cash position, driven by tight control over working capital. 'Following consistent growth averaging 25% per annum in the three years after the pandemic, the volumes that were forecasted for 2024 did not come to fruition due to the well-documented slowdown in the luxury market,' he said. 'Our cost structure is now aligned with our forecast for 2025 and we are budgeting for a return to profit this year. 'We expect the luxury market to return to more normal levels of growth in the coming years and are well positioned to benefit from our vertically integrated, made in Scotland, supply chain. 'Everything we sell is either woven, knitted or made into garments by our talented craftspeople in our own mills.' Johnstons of Elgin currently employs 1,185 staff across its operations, with most roles based in Elgin.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Purple reign! Kate Middleton recycles burgundy coat-dress with on-trend pleating
Kate Middleton first wore the designer coat-dress in 2022, and now she's recycling the hat and coat pairing for the first day of VE Day celebrations The Royal Family were out in full force this afternoon, showing a united front as they gathered in London to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. King Charles and Queen Camilla were there, joined by Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their little ones– George, Charlotte and Louis– all watching the commemorations unfold. From a specially built platform at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, the royals took in the military parade, while thousands lined the streets to kick off four days of remembrance events. However, our eyes were firmly on Kate, who pulled focus with a gorgeous all-purple outfit from designer Emilia Wickstead. She's worn the hat and coat-dress combination before, recycling another favourite look in traditional Kate fashion. Back in 2022, Kate wore the burgundy duo to welcome South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa to UK. Today, she paired the same hat featuring bow detailing at the back and pleated dress-like coat to mark the first day of VE Day celebrations. Though the coat isn't up for grabs, if you were hoping to get your hands on it, a similar pleated crêpe blazer dress from Emilia Wickstead will set you back £2,200 – certainly an investment piece. But, if you're looking for a lower-cost alternative to see you through this colder snap before the summer really kicks off (hopefully), Karen Millen's Georgette Pleated Woven Belted Midi Dress, on sale for £71.40 down from £119, offers a similar burgundy colourway and pleated detailing. As for the Princess of Wales' statement headpiece, if you want something similar for wedding season, Amazon's Luxury Bump Padded Puffy Velvet Headband, £13.99, will give you a regal look for less. As ever, Kate is incredibly on trend with her latest look. Pleats are already a top emerging trend for the summer months, with pieces like tennis skirts and midi pleated dresses already flying off shelves. It also shows how trends come back around fast, since it's only been three years since Kate last proved her style credentials in the designer pleated number, which was also on trend in 2022. In other royal fashion and beauty news from the week, Kate was also recently pictured out in Scotland on official engagements wearing a brand loved by The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman. Claudia's chic country outfits have become the star of the BBC show – which is also filmed in Scotland – and she helped make Johnstons of Elgin's cashmere pieces a coveted wardrobe staple. Kate is also no stranger to the brand's luxurious cashmere pieces, having previously worn several cosy jumpers from them in the past. During her ferry ride the Princess of Wales was seen wearing a moss green V-neck jumper, and although we can't say for sure, it looks just like Johnstons of Elgin's Classic Cashmere V Neck in the shade olive green. The cosy jumper is priced at £425 and is made from 100% two ply cashmere, with a relaxed fit and V-neckline.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Azza Fahmy Arrives in London With a Flash of Gold, and Colored Stones
LONDON — Egyptian jeweler Azza Fahmy is adding even more sparkle to London's Burlington Arcade with a flagship that showcases the brand's latest culturally rich, interiors concept. The flagship replaces a smaller, temporary store that Azza Fahmy had occupied in the Mayfair arcade, and neighbors include a string of vintage watch and jewelry shops as well as Manolo Blahnik, Johnstons of Elgin and Ladurée. More from WWD Luxury, Streetwear Retailer End. Names Sebastian Suhl CEO Unilever Shuts Sustainable Skin Care Brand Ren Bicester Village Marks 30 Years With a New Campaign, and a Britpop Beat The brand, founded by the jewelry designer Azza Fahmy in 1969, has transformed the space with an interiors concept that debuted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in September. Elements include a lotus-inspired chandelier on the first floor and a colorful, handcrafted tapestry that nods to Ancient Egypt's temple columns, flowers and birds. The brand worked with Universal Studio, and tapped Middle Eastern designers for some of the pieces. Randa Fahmy contributed a brass curtain adorned with Fatimid, diamond-shaped geometric patterns and the chandelier with its lotus shapes, a symbol of rebirth in Ancient Egypt. Bokja, a Beirut-based design studio, created the tapestry for the VIP area, while the marble flooring is by Marmonil and draws on patterns from Nefersekheru's tomb in Luxor. There are also pieces from the Fahmy family, including books, images and art. The store carries the main line collections, and the high jewelry — necklaces and bracelets that twinkle with tanzanite, rubellite and emerald. The designs also showcase myriad varieties of gold filigree, and many are inscribed with lines from Egyptian love poetry. While the jewels may be utterly glamorous and romantic, they are also very practical. Fahmy's youngest daughter, Amina Ghali, designs the jewelry so that women can put it on, and take it off, themselves. She also tests every design on herself and the women in her studio and office. Collar necklaces are hinged so they can open and close easily, and without fussy clasps. Chain lengths can be adjusted and pendants are detachable. All of the earrings — even the elaborate ones — have been designed so that it's possible to wear them and talk on the phone at the same time. A large horizontal ring shaped like an eye, and inspired by one that King Tutankhamun wore, has ergonomic grooves for the fingers and smooth, curved edges to prevent it from catching on hair or clothing. Ghali said she wants clients to be comfortable and to wear the jewelry rather than keep it locked up. She also wants her customers to come home at the end of the day — or after a big night out — and be able to remove their jewelry themselves, 'rather than having to wake up someone at home and ask for help,' she said. Azza Fahmy has 14 further boutiques — mostly in Egypt — and selected wholesale distribution, including Bloomingdale's and That Concept Store in Dubai, 51 East in Qatar, Beymen Department Store at the Four Seasons Cairo and the Four Seasons in Amman. Best of WWD Macy's Is Closing 66 Stores in 2025 — Here's the List, Live Updates Inside the Demise of Lord & Taylor COVID-19 Spikes Elevate Retail Concerns
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton borrows Claudia Winkleman's Traitors wardrobe with cashmere piece they both love
Both Claudia Winkleman and Kate Middleton are a known fan of Johnstons of Elgin, and Princess Kate's green jumper looks like it was straight out of Claudia's Traitors wardrobe Royal fans were delighted when Prince William and Kate Middleton made two public appearances earlier this week, as they headed on a two-day visit to the Isles of Mull and Iona. Whilst taking the ferry across to the Isle of Iona, Princess Kate opted for a countryside-ready outfit – and it looked like she'd been taking notes from Claudia Winkleman's iconic looks on The Traitors. Claudia's chic country outfits have become the star of the BBC show – which is also filmed in Scotland – and she helped make Johnstons of Elgin's cashmere pieces a coveted wardrobe staple. Kate is also no stranger to the brand's luxurious cashmere pieces, having previously worn several cosy jumpers from them in the past. During her ferry ride the Princess of Wales was seen wearing a moss green V-neck jumper, and although we can't say for sure, it looks just like Johnstons of Elgin's Classic Cashmere V Neck in the shade olive green. The cosy jumper is priced at £425 and is made from 100% two ply cashmere, with a relaxed fit and V-neckline. Kate teamed her green jumper with a broderie anglaise blouse, tweed blazer, skinny jeans and a pair of heeled ankle boots – all of which have been worn by Claudia on The Traitors. One of Claudia's most sought-after pieces from this year's series was her Cashmere & Wool Gun Club Shacket, which also hailed from Johnstons of Elgin. Although the exact pattern of Claudia's jacket is now sold out (it was filmed last year, after all), you can still grab her cashmere shacket in a similar grey and charcoal check, or in a beige herringbone print. If you want to copy Kate's green jumper but your budget won't quite stretch to the £425 Classic Cashmere V Neck, we found some other more affordable picks. This Estheme Cashmere Jumper V-Neck Linen In Khaki Green is £115 from Elizabeth Rose and comes in a deep green shade similar to Kate's. Elsewhere, this Lewis Lambswool V Neck Jumper from Schoffel is £120, and whilst it's technically from the men's section, it's perfect for getting that laid back, relaxed look that Claudia has. For something extra affordable, the Khaki V-Neck Stretch Jumper from Roman Originals is just £25. Whilst it's not made from cashmere, it has a soft touch finish and a slouchy 'boyfriend fit' that makes it a winner.
