MADE IN BRITAIN - Topshop Blog Featured Tis the season to be British – tralalalala… lalalala… With the Jubilee and the Olympics encouraging our patriotic tendencies, we thought it was high time classic, quintessential style hit the fashion headlines and thus, our new collection Made in Britain was born. Marrying tradition with innovation (because isn’t that so the British way?) Queue our fashion fantasies of countryside frolicking in a sailor dress and wellies, pounding the city streets in the ultimate biker jacket and not to mention enjoying a spot of afternoon-tea (with her majesty and corgis of course), while sporting the cutest swan-print jumpsuit. Made in Britain is available now at our Oxford Circus London Flagship, New York store and Topshop.com – so whether you’re British by birth or simply British by nature, it’s time to don some Union Jack nails and wave your tips with pride!
How much do top fashion brands really depend on China? When, in July 2011, LinkedIn hired Dan Roth, everyone in the media industry thought the “professional” social network was up to something big. Roth came with an impressive résumé: Forbes, Condé Nast Portfolio (a great but ill-fated glossy), Wired, then Fortune, where he served as managing editor before being poached by LinkedIn. Four years later, Roth snatched Caroline Fairchild, a young, talented writer and editor from Fortune. Again, many thought this was the moment. Everyone (yours truly included) was wrong about LinkedIn editorial potential; it didn’t became a significant business media player—and most likely never will. Why? First of all, instead of developing true journalistic content, as expected from its impressive talent line up, LinkedIn opted to bet on quantity. If Quartz or Politico taste like espresso, LinkedIn’s editorial content feels more like American coffee: cheap, bland, diluted but unlimited refills.
Economy Of Fashion: How Different Trends Reflect The Financial State It's common knowledge fashion is cyclical in nature. The concept of “newness” in fashion doesn't refer to the premiere of a trend, but rather its revival. Why fashion cycles in this manner, however, is less obvious. One one of the most surprising factors to influence the cycle of fashion, though, is the state of the global economy. If you think about it, it makes sense. During tougher times, if you need new clothes, the focus is less on passing fads and more on classic, quality pieces worth the expenditure because they’ll last (which also aids in cutting down cost per wear). As FIT professor John Mincarelli tells ABC News, “In rough economic times, people shop for replacement clothes,” adding “basics” prevail during an economic downturn. Economist George Taylor was the first to notice the correlation between fashion and the economy; he developed the “Hemline Theory” to describe his findings. Pinterest Once the market crashed, longer skirts became de rigueur. We Heart It How? We Heart It
Investigating The Sustainability Claims Behind H&M ColumnIs fast fashion giant H&M really making moves to become more sustainable, or is it all just greenwashing? Editor’s Note: This is Jessica Marati’s first column for Behind The Label, which will explore whether brands claiming sustainable initiatives are going green – or just plain greenwashing. It’s so easy to love and hate H&M. On the one hand, the Swedish fashion chain has played a significant role in democratizing fashion and bringing trends once reserved for the upper classes to the masses. On the other, H&M’s fast fashion model has accelerated the fashion cycle to its current frenetic pace, driving down prices and increasing pressure within the industry to produce more, quicker, with little regard to the people and environments involved. In recent years, H&M has made efforts to be more transparent with its social responsibility efforts, releasing a hefty Conscious Actions Sustainability Report in 2010 that outlined its sustainability goals and action roadmap. Images: H&M.
Interview with Olivia Burton founders, Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings Succeeding in creating a women’s watch collection that is distinctive, creative and fun – we wanted to know a little more about the women behind the Olivia Burton watch brand, that brings us such delectable and affordable British styled wristwear. How did you decide that making wristwatches was what you wanted to do? We’re both very passionate about watches and have talked about starting our own business for a while. Jointly we had both been working in fashion buying and production for 15 years and felt that we were ready to take the plunge. You met each other on your first day at London College of Fashion, would you say your friendship is paramount to the success of Olivia Burton? It certainly contributes to the success! What are your plans for future collections? We will continue to take our inspiration from vintage, catwalk and nature. What watch/accessories are you wearing right now? We have an absolute weakness for accessories. Which jewellery / watch brands do you lust after?
What Makes Them Tick: Meet Olivia Burton's Creators - Story by ModCloth Wearing an Olivia Burton watch is like sporting a gorgeous piece of exquisite art. Classic silhouettes, pretty, decorated faces — this UK brand is rife with character-rich, vintage-inspired details to delight. After admiring these standout accessories for some time, we just had to know more about Lesa and Jemma, the dynamic duo behind the company. Why watches? Lesa and I met at the London College of Fashion, where we often dreamed about starting up a business together — it was just a case of waiting for the right moment. What are your roles in the company? Lesa and I look after different aspects of the business. What is it you love most about watches? Wrist watches as we know them today were first worn by women over 100 years ago. When/why did you get interested in fashion? From a young age, we both loved fashion and knew it was the only career we wanted to pursue. Who is “Olivia Burton”? About Anna
FASHIONED BY LOVE : Exclusive interview with Olivia Burton designers In a recent interview to Harper's Bazaar Karl Lagerfeld confessed that, in his opinion, British girls make some of the best fashion designers. I think he is right. Not only British girls keep leaving their significant mark on the history of ready-to-wear, they are pretty good at creating striking accessories, too. Take Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings, the talented duo behind Olivia Burton, a British-born brand of beautiful vintage inspired classic watches that I've already confessed my love to a while ago. Their watches seemed to have appeared from nowhere - one day as I was browsing the web I stumbled upon the Woodland butterfly. Following my curiosity and google I've not only discovered a new brand to adore, but also got a chance to interview its founders and share their story with you today. WHO: Jemma Fennings and Lesa Bennett, designers behind Olivia Burton, a British brand of wrist watched the girls set in 2011 and turned into a mega-successful enterprise by 2013.
Exclusive interview with the Olivia Burton Designers | Kakao by K We caught up for a quick chat with Lesa and Jemma from Olivia Burton. We fell in love with them and their collection as soon as we met them. Lesa and Jemma are the designers and founders of the much talked about British designed fashion watche brand Olivia Burton When they couldn’t find a watch that fulfilled their need for style, Olivia Burton created their own. Having met on their first day at London College of Fashion they both have extensive experience in the fashion industry, formerly buying for the likes of Selfridges and ASOS. Both obsessive about attention to detail Olivia Burton watches are affordable, wearable and wearable and bursting full of British style. If appreciate good design and want something different then you will love these watches! How did you begin working with each other? Why Olivia Burton? Where do you get the inspiration for your designs from?
Ten reasons to buy an Olivia Burton watch… | TEN – Modern Vintage For Christmas, my boyfriend who admittedly has brilliant taste, treated me to a classic large dial Olivia Burton watch and I’m now obsessed! My watch is simplicity at it’s finest (and most beautiful), the gorgeous leather mink strap goes with every outfit, therefore I wear it every day! Not convinced that your next watch purchase should be with Oliva Burton? – Enchanted Garden Rosie and Silver, £75 – Big Dial Chrono Detail Black and Gold, £125 – Enchanted Garden Mirror Dusty Pink and Gold, £75 They have 11 gorgeous collections to choose from. – Enchanted Garden – Big Dial Chrono Detail Want to know more about Olivia Burton? -Images credit to Olivia Burton Like this: Like Loading...
Olivia Burton Vintage Inspired Watches | Kakao by K We are in LOVE with sherbet colours today The new spring watches by Olivia Burton have just arrived in our online shop and our boutique in Edinburgh. We are finding it difficult to pick our favourite, we are basically in love with them all! Jemma and Lesa the founders of Olivia Burton in 2012 have really surpassed themselves this time. The pastel straps are perfect for finishing of a spring summer outfit. I often find large face watches very masculine but the big dials By Olivia Burton are feminine And make a fabulous statement pieces. And of course their spring summer collection have their signature stamp of just the right mix of vintage and contemporary and not to forget their beautifully illustrated hummingbirds, butterflies and owls. Olivia Burton you have created the perfect Spring Summer watches! Big Dial Mother Of Pearl Hummingbird Watch £82 Big Dial Rose Gold and Pastel Blue Watch £72 Big Dial Pastel Pink Moth Watch £72 Owl Illustrated Pastel Green Watch £72 Mini Gold and Mink Watch £55
Lesa Bennett & Jemma Fennings, Olivia Burton | Women's Business Council Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings, JLB Brands t/a Olivia Burton Having met on their first day at the London College of Fashion, Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings went onto enjoy successful careers in buying for companies like Selfridges and ASOS before joining forces in business. When they couldn’t find a watch that fulfilled their need for style, they decided to design their own under the brand Olivia Burton, taking inspiration from vintage and catwalk to create a collection described as “distinctive, contemporary and fun”. Their iconic Woodland collection is inspired by the beautiful English countryside and features hand drawn illustrations of owls and butterflies. Despite a highly competitive marketplace and sector, Olivia Burton’s profits have grown thanks to strong relationships with retailers such as Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Topshop and ASOS, where it outsold Michael Kors. The NatWest everywoman Awards