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Did you know... that Whistles has reported its first profit ... - Retail Week. About Us. Women's clothing, men's clothing, contemporary fashion. Whistles has teamed up with Edwin on the jeans you need right now. After only one year on the style scene, Whistles' menswear line has not only established itself as a GQ go-to for sleek staples, but also for its curveball collaborations.

Whistles has teamed up with Edwin on the jeans you need right now

Having got together with British illustrator Joe Cruz, Swedish outerwear makers Stutterheim and American baseball kit crafters Ebbets Field Flannels over the past 12 months, the label has now teamed up with Japanese selvedge masters Edwin to craft a limited edition pair of jeans. Constructed from 12oz Milanese selvedge in an indigo wash, the remixed ED80s are the sort of go-anywhere raw denim jeans that will serve you all winter long no matter the occasion. However, as any denimhead knows, the devil is always in the details. The fabric itself has been created using Edwin's technical expertise: a 3x1 right-hand twill (akak the hardiest denim weave available) that was woven on original shuttle looms. £140. Sales are up...yet there's still a blow for fashion retailer Whistles as it falls into the red. By Sarah Bridge for The Mail on Sunday Published: 21:16 GMT, 14 November 2015 | Updated: 21:16 GMT, 14 November 2015 Whistles, the high street store whose clothes are worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, increased sales by 11 per cent to £62.9million last year as it successfully launched into the menswear market and expanded its number of shops.

Sales are up...yet there's still a blow for fashion retailer Whistles as it falls into the red

However, this meant the privately-owned chain fell into the red, recording a £2.4million loss for the year to January 31, 2015, compared with a profit of £2.1million the previous year. Under chief executive Jane Shepherdson, Whistles opened two stores in London and one in Birmingham. It also added two concessions in Selfridges – one in London and one in Manchester – and one in John Lewis in York, while still expanding into the US. Jane Shepherdson, Chief Executive Officer, Whistles. LONDON, United Kingdom — Perhaps it’s not surprising that, in her spare time, Jane Shepherdson does flying trapeze in Hoxton, smack in the heart of achingly hip East London.

Jane Shepherdson, Chief Executive Officer, Whistles

Right from her earliest days in the fashion industry, Shepherdson has been known for taking risks and having her finger on the pulse of what’s cool. After getting her start as an assistant buyer at Topshop, back in 1984, Shepherdson spent twenty years working her way up the ladder to become Topshop’s brand director, effectively overseeing the retail, product, finance, HR and property departments of a company that, under her leadership, was transformed into a globally recognised brand, emblematic of the dynamic nature of British high street fashion. But in 2006, one week after Topshop boss Sir Phillip Green announced a now-defunct fashion collaboration with Kate Moss, Shepherdson abruptly resigned. Shepherdson’s next move was closely watched.

BoF: Let’s start with the results. JS: The results are good. BoF: Really? Whistles' move into menswear: what does it mean for men's fashion? The news that Whistles is moving into menswear is enough to put spring in one's step – whatever your gender.

Whistles' move into menswear: what does it mean for men's fashion?

The high-street brand has come to be treasured by women who love smart, useful (but never boring) clothes that appeal to minimalist sensibilities while keeping fun on the agenda . That's a brand DNA that hits the ground running in menswear. While no images have been released as yet, you imagine these pieces will sit next to those inclined to Cos and – when they're feeling flush – Lanvin, Raf Simons or a printed sweatshirt from Givenchy. The introduction of menswear comes on the back of more excellent financial results for the growing brand. Sales went up 24% in 2012. The sure-fire hit that this will be makes you wonder why they haven't done it before. They'll no doubt take their time on this one too. Whistles conquers the 'middle market' of British womenswear.

While Marks & Spencer announced a 6.8% drop of general sales last month, another corner of the British high street has been quietly flourishing.

Whistles conquers the 'middle market' of British womenswear

Whistles, the clothing brand set up by Lucille Lewin in the 1980s, announced this week that it had bought back the majority of its shares from the Icelandic government, a move which has underlined its growing strength. Whistles, which has been independent since parting ways with the retail group Mosaic in 2008, has gone from strength to strength despite a tough economic climate. Sales were up 13% in 2011 and there was "consistent double digit like for like sales growth," this year, according to a company statement. Whistles is also the bestselling premium high street brand on Asos, the online retailer. It had been part-owned by the Icelandic government since the banking crises of 2008, when shares owned by the collapsed bank Glitnir were transferred to its ownership. Since then, the clothes have gradually gained a recognisable slickness.