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| OUT NOW |
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| Cover image provided by Bebaroque, www.bebaroque.co.uk |
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| Find out more about the latest industry news and product launches in the current issue of Attire Accessories. Why not download the magazine in PDF format from www.attireaccessories.com? |
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All the answers
Our industry experts answer your retail queries
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If the shoe fits
Key footwear trends for 2012
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Sheer genius
The best hosiery on the market
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It's a man's world
We put the spotlight on menswear jewellery
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Birds of a feather
Founder Lynn Close reveals how she and her husband came up with the vintage concept for Bluebird Boutique
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All laced up
Michael Ridgway of Laceys London explains how the East End heritage brand stays cutting edge
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Science fiction double feature
Electronic Sheep's Helen Delaney introduces us to the label's graphic novel-inspired world
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Rain check
Wet weather accessories ideal for the unpredictable British weather
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Green fingers
We look at the people and practises behind three ethical accessories labels
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Work it out
Office fashion extras to show you mean business in the workplace
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 25th May 2012 |
| Pure London expands for an Olympic August |
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Pure London is set to expand even further next season, increasing its floor space by at least 700 sqm to expand current areas and create new sections. An extra hall on the first floor of Olympia will open up allowing more space for accessories including a French Accessories Pavilion, as well as new section, Pure Body, a destination for buyers looking to source lingerie, swim wear, hosiery, leggings, loungewear and casualwear.
Another addition, Pure Expert will bring expert business advice to life. A dedicated seminar and workshop programme will focus on retailing, visual merchandising, cashflow, bricks to clicks and more. Plus, fellow professionals will take to the stage and share their experiences, what solutions they have employed and with what results. Pure Britain will also be introduced, ensuring that 'Made in Britain' ranges are highlighted to UK and international buyers looking to buy British. |
| IJL's special prize is split at Goldsmiths' award ceremony |
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For the first time, the IJL Special Award in Fine Jewellery was presented to two designers at the Goldsmiths' Craftsmanship & Design Awards. The gold winners were Andrew Lamb, for a brooch which produces different images with movement depending on the way light strikes it; and Irmgard Frauscher, for her fully articulated stone-set necklace. Both jewellers are self-employed designer/makers.
Syreeta Tranfield commented: "The number of entries was so large this year, and the standard so high, that we had to award two gold winners rather than one for the first time. The Goldsmiths' Craftsmanship and Design awards have a real history within the industry, as does the IJL show, and we are pleased to work with the council to recognise outstanding design talent."
The award-winning pieces were viewed by the high profile judging panel as being reminiscent of the exceptional quality seen at leading UK jewellery trade show IJL, where the latest collections of design-led jewellery are showcased each year.
For more information visit www.craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk. |
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| Fashion flux |
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With the springtime trade show schedule drawing to a close, the industry can now take time to reflect on the buying season. Due to the recent balmy weather, it's sometimes difficult to focus on the cosy boots and heavy woollens that make up the autumn/winter collections, especially when the high street is full of dreamy florals and filmy textiles, but that is the nature of fashion you have to stay one step ahead! With this in mind, we decided to cover strong footwear trends that bridge the gap between the seasons in our feature, If the shoe fits (page 27).
As well as the usual features, we've put the spotlight on a diverse selection of products, including hosiery, workwear, ethical production, belts, men's jewellery and wet weather wear. This issue, our competition prizes are courtesy of children's footwear brand, SKEANIE (page 19).
Happy reading,
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| Laura Sutherland, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@attireaccessories.com to keep us up to date with all your news |
| Editor's pick |
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| Muted in tone and sculptural in shape, these Joanne Stoker slingbacks are the heels I'm coveting this season. Easily paired with pastels for spring days and brights for summer nights, these shoes would be a hardworking addition to any girl's wardrobe. |
| Win one of three prizes of products worth £200 RRP courtesy of SKEANIE |
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The footwear brand SKEANIE, which is renowned for its stylish and healthy shoes for children, launched its autumn/winter 2012 collection at Moda this February, with a range of new colours, styles and designs on display.
There are a number of seasonal additions to the line, including the funky riding boot and the stylish winter boot as well as a number of new colour variations of other timeless styles. All of the new pieces in the SKEANIE junior range include the acclaimed and innovative flexible rubber sole, designed to enable small feet to grow and move naturally. The infant collection is also designed with practicality and comfort in mind, thanks to the suede sole and elasticated collars.
Founded in 2007 by Natasha Barber, SKEANIE's philosophy is based around her own soft-soled shoe research which was conducted following the birth of her first child. After her second child was born, the company was launched. Its infant range is suited to pre-walkers and early-walkers, consisting of Mary Janes, Sporty Sneakers and Snugs. The junior collection features SKEANIE's innovative rubber sole that provides flexibility for youngsters as they are walking, running and exploring.
The company's clever approach to children's footwear has already earned it great success in Australia, where it was named the preferred provider of the Australian Podiatry Association. Health is a priority in all of SKEANIE's designs and they each feature a wide toe section to provide additional room for movement when a child walks. The shoes are made from ultra-soft buttery leather that enables feet to breathe. Style is also paramount to the label, so fashion-forward designs are the ideal way to kick off a trendy autumn wardrobe.
Children's podiatrist expert Tracy Byrne, who recently joined SKEANIE as a consultant, says: As well as providing room for natural growth, SKEANIE's soft-soled shoes allow sensory feedback from the ground, which is especially important for little ones learning to walk and getting to know their surroundings. Research shows that youngsters who wear flat, soft-soled shoes have improved proprioception, balance and foot and ankle strength.
Brand Manager Mel Hearn says: The great thing is we take orders for all our products at any time, so it's never too soon to start planning your stock for later in the year. SKEANIE's beautiful riding shoes are all made from the softest leather to protect small feet and make sure children are comfortable all year round.
For more information about SKEANIE and its footwear collection, call +44 (0)161 374 0713 or visit www.skeanie.co.uk.
SKEANIE is offering three lucky winners a selection of products worth £200 RRP each. |
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| Enter here |
| New showroom for Rocket Dog |
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Elstree-based women's footwear brand Rocket Dog has transformed its showroom into an inspiring space for buyers, sales teams and Rocket Dog staff.
The space has been turned into what the archetypal Rocket Dog girl's flat would look like, invitingly decorated and furnished in the innovative, quirky and fun style with which the brand is associated.
Visitors can absorb the ethos of the brand whilst enjoying refreshments in the comfort of pre-loved furniture reupholstered in seasonal Rocket Dog fabrics, before exploring the collections. Elements of point of purchase merchandising are utilised in the showroom design, and these will be rolled out to retailers during this year. |
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| Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from all our current magazine advertisers. |
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| For all accessory retailers... |
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| Heidi Mottram pioneers the use of a luxury new eco-leather for her latest collection |
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For autumn/winter 2012, Heidi Mottram will be introducing an innovative new skin to the limited edition 30/50 collection - the Derma bag and purse that features the unusual and exotic poulard leather. Poulard is chicken leather which has a grain and texture similar to ostrich and emu leathers, and is soft, flexible and durable.
Poulard leather is renowned in the Far East as a luxury product, but is relatively unknown elsewhere, making Heidi Mottram a pioneer in using this skin for bag design in the UK. The collection is limited to 30 bags and 50 purses worldwide in colour options of black or mottled grey and black. Each collectable piece will come with a certificate of authentication.
A celebrity and high fashion favourite, the designer is renowned for the innovative use of luxurious and exotic eco leathers in her collections. Her accessories are designed in London and are only made out of skins that are a bi-product - such as eel skin - ensuring that the animals are not harmed for their skin and as no two skins are alike, that each bag is one-of-a-kind.
To find out more about the limited edition collection, visit the designer's website, www.heidimottram.co.uk. |
| A partnership forged in Wales |
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Two of Wales' gold standard international exports have joined forces to raise the nation's profile on a global scale.
Clogau Gold has welcomed the internationally renowned concert harpist, Claire Jones, as one of its international ambassadors. She joins the ranks of Bryn Terfel and 737 challenge pioneer Richard Parks who have also supported the brand. Known to many as the 'golden girl of the harp world' - a title coined when she was Official Harpist to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales between 2007 and 2011 - she is delighted to support the brand.
Commenting on the announcement, she said: "Clogau is a business firmly rooted in the culture of Wales and inspired by our landscape. It is also successfully growing a strong international reputation. I think we're a great fit, and I'm very proud to be the face of the new Heartstrings collection."
Managing Director for Clogau Gold, Ben Roberts said: "We are proud to work with an artist so committed to the preservation of Welsh heritage, high standards of excellence and global expansion; values that make Clogau one of the most successful jewellery brands in the UK and overseas."
To find out more about the collection and campaign, visit the website, www.clogau.co.uk. |
| New website heralds a golden age for UK high |
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Clothing and accessories suppliers to high street retailers are being encouraged to sign up to a new free website designed to drive traffic back to town centres. SeeMyLocalShop.co.uk has been launched by a group of investors and programmers who are determined to help independent retailers get back on track.
"The site will encourage customers back to the high street, by making it easy to locate and buy items locally." said founder Michael Cooksedge.
The concept is simple, yet revolutionary. Suppliers upload images and details of their products to a central database, from which authorised retailers can copy items to create their own page on the website. Instead of spending months putting a shop's product range online, it can be done in hours or even minutes, and at no cost to them or their suppliers. Shoppers who wish to support the local area can browse the ranges of local shops online or use the search feature to locate specific items within an acceptable distance of their postcode. |
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