BoF. 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.
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 spring/summer 2015 – in pictures. The show notes promised “an exploration of textures, surface and fabrics” but the takeaway from Whistles’s spring/summer 2015 collection was that jumpsuits - a signature look from Jane Shepherdson’s brand - have migrated to menswear.
There were silk pyjamas for him too, a statement of intent, perhaps, that the men’s collection was not an afterthought for this rapidly evolving brand. Palm print and a dilated riff on Broderie anglaise gave the womenswear a strong holiday vibe, with severe cut-out sections, abstract tailoring and flatform espadrilles adding to a sense of inflated proportions. This was a collection that felt fun and slightly inebriated, like a night on the rum. The show was delivered with punch, the models lining up face to face with the audience after strutting the length of the LED lit tunnel in Kings Cross where the collection was unveiled. Whistles - Fashion Designer Encyclopedia - women, suits, shoes, style, new, body, history, footwear, collection. Established: by Lucille Lewin, in George Street, London, 1976.
Lewin studied fine art in South Africa, moved to the U.S., sold furniture in Cambridge, Massachusetts; joined Conran Group, London; worked for Harvey Nichols as a buyer, until 1976. Company History: In-house range of clothes introduced, 1985; stores in the UK and in-store boutiques at Harrods, Selfridges, and Fenwicks, all in London; began exporting to U.S., to Nordstrom, Big Drop, and Charivari; opened two stores in Japan; introduced acessories line; sought location for first U.S. store, 2000.
Awards: Design Led Retail award, 1994. Company Address: 12 Saint Christopher's Place, London W1M 5HB, England. Articles. How Whistles Reemerged as One of the Most Exciting Contemporary Brands in Fashion. 2008 was not an easy year for many in the fashion industry -- least of all, perhaps, for Jane Shepherdson.
The former Topshop brand director, once described as "the most powerful woman on the high street," had just become chief executive of (and a substantial investor in) a fading British brand called Whistles. Days before the brand was scheduled to unveil its relaunch, Lehman Brothers collapsed. "It was terrible," Shepherdson recalls. WHISTLES. 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, 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.
How Whistles Reemerged as One of the Most Exciting Contemporary Brands in Fashion. Working for Whistles. Our responsibility. 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.
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. 9 Things we Learned from Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson. As part of our Fashion Means Business blog series in celebration of the launch of our Fashion Business School, we asked CEO of Whistles Jane Shepherdson CBE to give us some of her wisdom to help all you LCF students on your way to fashion business greatness!
And she definitely didn’t disappoint, here are 9 things we learned… 1. The UK does fashion brilliantly “I’ve spent my entire life basically taking the creativity and talent of our British design and turning it into something commercial. Fashion is a huge industry and one of the great things about it is that it’s something we, in the UK, are really really good at! 2. “Without a strong creative vision your brand will just float around on the winds of trend, it will be inconsistent, your customers won’t trust you and will end up becoming dependent on price.” 3. “You need to be able to create differential, you need to be able to create something that’s different to everything else out there and you need to be able to deliver it. 4. 5. 6.
Shepherdson unveils vision for Whistles. Sources who have seen Shepherdson’s first collection for the womenswear retailer, which she bought in January from Mosaic Fashions, told Drapers she had instigated a seismic shift at the business.
They added that she was targeting a younger consumer and had produced a collection with similar handwriting to See by Chloé, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Vanessa Bruno and Reiss.Shepherdson’s range will debut in Whistles’ stores in September. One concession partner told Drapers it was a “brave collection” and that Shepherdson had abandoned Whistles’ signature boho styling for 35-plus women in favour of shorter hemlines and more contemporary minimal styling. Knitwear, previously one of Whistles’ strengths, has also been dramatically scaled back. However, concessionaires have embraced the new look. Another concession partner said: “Key strengths in the collection are the dresses and the great fabrics, and there was also a lovely vintage print.” Whistles. Whistles (@thisiswhistles) Inspiration, Ways To Wear, Whistles Women. <div class="browser-compatibility-alert"><p class="browser-error">Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off.
Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. </p></div> Journal, Culture, Style, News & Features. Women: New Portraits by Annie Leibovitz Taking our inspiration from Serena Morton Gallery’s ‘Disco’ exhibition of Bill Bernstein’s photography, our NYE playlist features tracks by everyone from Gloria Gaynor to braided lothario Rick James.
Hollywood’s leading lady Jennifer Lawrence stars in this David O Russell film, a true-life story of can-do spirit, honesty, and mops. Now open at the Barbican, ‘The World of Charles and Ray Eames’ celebrates two of America’s most influential designers, whose infectious creativity and enthusiasm produced everything from modern architecture to leg splints for the military. Look book, Campaign. Whistles men (@whistlesmen) Whistles (@thisiswhistles) MEN'S LOOK BOOK SS16. X Whistles - Limited Editions - Shop – Stutterheim Raincoats.
X Frame 2015. <div class="browser-compatibility-alert"><p class="browser-error">Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. </p></div> X Edwin. Markus Lupfer Whistles Collection Launches - Pictures. Menu View main navigation News View all News gallery. Whistles and Trekstock’s Designer Charity Collaboration. Whistles goes eco-chic in collaboration with Ciel. Rejuvenated high street chain, Whistles launches its first eco collection with sustainable label, Ciel. BY Hilary Alexander | 20 June 2011. Whistles Unveils Its Best Accessories Collaboration Yet. MOXHAM X Whistles Necklace London designer Madeleine Moxham has teamed up with Whistles to create the perfect range of accessories.
Fusing MOXHAM'S clean aesthetic with Whistles' signature style, the pieces exude Scandi cool, despite being born and bred in London. Clean, minimalist and fresh the combination of metal, leather and woven fabrics make these pieces versatile for both night and day. Ranging from geometric cuffs to cut out necklaces, these accesories will bring a touch of the catwalk to your high street wardrobe.
Celebrities wearing Whistles. Whistles launches menswear collection. The inaugural collection is being rolled out in 24 shopsIncludes sophisticated separates but also a few susrprise statement piecesRyan Gosling and Ben Whishsaw amongst celebrity inspirations for collection By Naomi Greenaway Published: 16:00 GMT, 1 September 2014 | Updated: 16:00 GMT, 1 September 2014 It's long been the sophisticated woman's go-to fashion brand and this week Whistles is finally dipping a toe into the menswear market.
The high street giant is rolling out its new men's collection in 24 shops round the country. But Whistles' first foray into male territory isn't all understated sophistication as one might expect. Amongst the clean-cut lines and smart separates are a few surprising numbers - most notably this £235 crew-neck sweater in fuchsia pink. This pink fluffy jumper (left) and bright blue stripey number (right) are amongst the more surprising elements of the new Whistles menswear collection.