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Designers Orla Kiely and Joseph among winners of 2008 UK Fashion Export Awards
Archived article dated Thursday June 5th 2008
Long-established, as well as new entrants, recognised at annual event.
Winners of the UK Fashion Export Awards 2008 presented today in London by HRH The Princess Royal span companies with more than 220 years of history to those who have just started on the export ladder.
The top prize - the Gold Award for Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Icelandic bank Landsbanki - went to Orla Kiely, the London-based plc headed by husband and wife team - Orla Kiely, providing the artistic input, and Dermott Rowan, the business brain. The Export Personality of the Year was won by Joseph Ettedgui, founder of the Joseph shops.
Orla Kiely, the Dublin-born textiles specialist, first hit the headlines in the mid '90s when she was commissioned by Harrods to produce a range of hats following her finale spot on the graduation catwalk of the Royal College of Art. Since then her signature stem print has appeared on fashion products ranging from clothing to china and chocolates. Orla Kiely's retail empire includes new stores in Paris and Hong Kong and its website attracts shoppers from 14 countries.
“Orla Kiely has been rewarded for continued innovation and dedication to developing both its brand and markets over the past 13 years, “says Brent Osborne, managing director, Landsbanki Commercial Finance. “The company has consistently delivered, both at home and overseas, showing an energy and vision admired by many. Export sales have trebled over the past five years.”
For more than three decades, Joseph Ettedgui has been at the forefront of high fashion, discovering and promoting talented designers, as well as creating the Joseph collections, with their trademark exquisite tailoring and innovative use of fabrics that have captured the eyes of buyers world-wide. A well-known figure on the international fashion circuit, Joseph has done much to create a positive perception of the UK fashion industry.
Amoralia, specialists in luxury maternity lingerie, won the Lingerie and Beachwear Award. By focussing on form, fit, function and fashion, the company has turned what was a purely functional commodity into an aspirational product which answers the needs of pregnant women and nursing mothers. Stars such as Toni Collette and supermodel Karen Elson are fans of the brand. Amoralia also offers swimwear and sleepwear and has grown its distribution from 18 stockists in the first season to more than 100 in 16 countries.
Winner of the Men's Accessories Award was Denisonboston. Started in 2003 with award-winning cufflinks, the collection has grown to cover co-ordinated signature designs for cufflinks, watches, tie-slides, collar stays, lapel pins and men's jewellery. It supplies 200 plus stockists, with Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and USA its strongest markets.
Sam Ubhi, who took the Women's Accessories Award, has notched up 20 years in the business, beginning with luxury handmade jewellery and subsequently expanding into accessories, including a range of chain mail handbags. The Sam Ubhi Vintage collection has its own stand at London Fashion Week, and an online offer has been launched. Sam Ubhi stockists include Liberty, Paul & Joe and the V & A Museum and there are plans to open a showroom in Dubai, a strong market for the brand.
Ariella, one of the UK's leading names for cocktail, evening and special occasion wear, took the Womenswear Award. Established in swinging psychedelic '60s London, the company has been a consistent award winner over 42 years, recognised by the industry and the media. Founder Achilleas Constantinou, has been a well-known and respected figure in the industry, serving on numerous committees and trade bodies. Ariella has seen export sales triple in the past three years.
Young London-based company Chris & Tibor received the New Exporter prize.
Chris Liu and Tibor Matyas, who met while working for Burberry Prorsum, launched their business in 2006, to offer English-made bags that are sporty and retro, cutting edge and classic. The first collection was snapped up by Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong and the giant Japanese retail group Arrows. Now in its fourth season, the company has 30-plus stockists in Europe, the USA and the Far East, including Barneys, Printemps and Takashimaya.
John Smedley, winner of the Men's Fashion Award, combines more than 220 years' experience in knitwear, yet remains an innovative exporter of fine knitwear, dedicated to continuous improvement and to UK manufacturing. From its original factory in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the brand is exported to 27 countries. The ranges combine an eclectic colour palette and leading technology to create unique modern patterns and shapes. Recognising the importance of organic, ethical products, the company has introduced a small range closely targeting this sector. Web sales have been growing at an annual rate of 25% of which well over one-third has been to overseas markets.
Top prize in the Ethical Fashion category went to Eribé. Headed by Rosemary Eribé, the collection includes 100% undyed Scottish knitwear as well as designs created by 100 handknitters. Recycling and reuse has been a matter of course since the company started in 1986. The ecology collection was launched in 1994 as a backlash against dependency on Australia and China for wool and cashmere.
Emile et Rose, the gift-orientated babywear company launched in 2002, was the recipient of the Children's Fashion Award. Based in Devon, the company uses Nottingham lace combined with Victorian-inspired styling. Every item is a complete accessorised outfit, sold on a handmade wooden hanger with a free gift box. A major customer is El Corte Inglès in Spain. Exports make up more than half its sales.
“British companies are having to be even more creative both with their collections and their marketing to grow their exports year on year, but our Award winners and finalists demonstrate it can be done,” said Paul Alger, executive director, UK Fashion Exports. “Membership of UK Fashion Exports is increasing as more companies are looking to us to provide the expertise to help them sell overseas.”
Tagged as: fashion export awards
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