Retailers to get great Christmas boost

All this fuss about Black Friday, an American import dreamed up as a marketing exercise to drum up retail sales after Thanksgiving, and it is taking root in the UK.  Retailers here are all going for it.  

Indeed consumer spending leading up to the forthcoming festive season is driven up a gear by the promotions and retailers should benefit from stronger sales this Christmas, at least that’s what business advisory firm Deloitte is predicting in a recent report.  It states that consumers will spend over 42 billion pounds this Christmas, up 4 percent on last year.  That’s around £1.5 billion more than they did last year. 

The new report released by Deloitte also  states online sales are expected to account for 13 percent of December takings, and the growing importance of click & collect will see 2.5 billion pounds in sales this Christmas ordered online and collected in-store.  At 45 percent of all online transactions, this is almost double the level seen in December 2013.

Deloitte head of retail Ian Geddes said: "Growth in the influence of digital on physical retail has been driven by consumers' desire to access information on products and services, compare prices and increasingly pay and transact via digital devices.

"Those retailers that have invested in developing apps may now find that if these are only optimised for use as a separate channel, rather than an integrated part of the shopping experience, they will not be fit for purpose."

Sales via mobile devices are expected to account for 45 percent of UK online purchases during the festive season, according to online retailers' association IMRG.

By Alan Tyler

Managing Editor, My Fashion Connect

Sock Club London launches Made in Japan collection

It is great to learn that Sock Club London (set up in the UK earlier this year for sock-lovers everywhere) is going from strength to strength with the launch of an exclusive “Made in Japan” collection.

Sock Club London have collaborated with premium sock Japanese manufacturer GLEN CLYDE on an exclusive and limited edition FIDDLE design taken from Glen Clyde’s CHUP socks range, according to club founder known simply as member number 001.

He tells me that these socks are manufactured on a low gauge stocking frame machine.  Because the designs are intricate, only a limited quantity is produced to the tune of 20 – 25 pairs a day on average.  The Fiddle design is an intricately woven Fair Isle pattern. The socks are a medium weight and each pair features an organic cotton body, hand-linked toe for superior comfort and Japanese craftsmanship.

Sock Club London has added their touch through the specific choice of exclusive colour combinations and collaboration rider ticket.
So if you are looking for that special gift (socks are popular for Christmas), Sock Club London's new collection is available to purchase now on www.sockclublondon.com 

Coinciding with the new sock collection, Sock Club London has also launched a special canvas Engineer Shoulder Bag in collaboration with THE SUPERIOR LABOR – Engineer Shoulder Bag – for carrying all those lovely socks.

Handcrafted in their Japanese workshop, the Engineer Shoulder Bag is constructed from natural canvas, complete with untreated leather handles and shoulder strap, and brass hardware.

While ‘The Superior Labor, Made In Japan’ stamp of approval is painted by hand on one side, there is a tonal leather external pocket reinforced with rivets on the reverse side.  The Sock Club London logo is printed in white at the corner.  A heavy-duty brass zip closure will mean your socks are kept safe on your travels.

To ensure that your socks are well cared for inside your bag, Sock Club London has also produced this canvas sock pouch.  Also handcrafted in their Japanese workshop, this Sock Pouch is constructed from natural canvas and features a brass Waldes branded zip with a natural leather zip pull for ease of use.  Each pouch is finished with an orange paint coating to add strength to the base.  On one side is printed The Superior Labors logo and mission statement; on the other side is Sock Club Londons circular logo (CHUP socks sold separately).

The founder has described his experience of working with both companies as great.

“ We worked closely with them down to the exact detail of thread colour choice and also packaging. We were able to look at and work on a couple of designs and combinations before settling on the right one.  With The Superior Labor, they are also amazing craftsmen. The quality  and attention to detail is second to none. We were very prescriptive in our requests and they we're all accommodated. We could not be happier with the quality of service we received," he said.

Sock Club London launched its membership programme and inaugural product launch, ‘Made In England’, in September 2014.  While they are not able to give out membership details, they reveal that membership has been growing every week "at a level not expected  to be at so early in the club's history."

Luxac collection launches new Soir range

Handmade in Somerset using vegetable-dyed Italian leather, the British brand Luxac collection comes in a range of sizes and now has added a new Soir range featuring a camouflage leather design as well as one in a vintage-metallic look to its range of signature knapsacks.

Concealed from its smart exterior, each bag is fully-lined in a selection of motif cotton, for which the brand is known, ranging from skulls and roses to vintage cowboys.

Brand owner Louise Bangay said the knapsack design works well for the busy modern woman because it combines the elegance of a handbag with the function of a rucksack.  "The bag is minimalist by design but it is practical too as it can also carry a laptop."

Photo by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Clarks Desert Boot is 65 years old.

CLARKS ORIGINALS® celebrates 65th Anniversary of the Desert Boot.

Clarks Originals Desert Boot, which was first created in 1950 and launched by Nathan Clark, made its debut at the Chicago Shoe Fair  the year before.  The original boot was made from suede supplied by Charles F. Stead, an English tannery established in Leeds in 1895.   

As the story goes, during Nathan Clark’s time served in the Second World War, a type of casual suede boot was seen on soldiers who had picked them up in the bazaars of Cairo.

Using these rough suede boots as his inspiration, Nathan set about cutting the pattern himself and on his return to the home of Clarks in Street, England, this unique dress casual boot was born.

Crafted today using the same techniques as it was in the fifties, including its unusual ‘stitchdown’ construction, slim line last shape and natural crepe rubber sole, Clarks Originals is celebrating the original Desert Boot this year with a limited edition Maple Suede style.

From spring summer 2015 onwards, all Clarks Originals Desert Boots re  made from Stead suede or leather and will feature the tannery’s logo on the in-sock; a reminder of not only our shared heritage but of our shared passion for

quality too.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Canon and Stella McCartney Linda camera bag arriving in Selfridges and Harrods

If you are a camera buff and a follower of designer trends, or know someone who is, the limited edition Linda camera bag newly launched by Canon and Stella McCartney could be a desirable gift contender this Christmas. 

A limited run of 1,000 bags has been produced and will only be available as a special package with the Canon EOS 100D White.   

You can appreciate why the bag is called Linda, named after Stella’s late mother who was a professional photographer. 

Specially designed for the Canon EOS 100D White, the Linda camera bag stays true to Stella McCartney’s vegetarian philosophy as it is completely cruelty free, crafted with an innovative Eco Alter Nappa leather alternative which uses natural vegetable oil coating that is less harmful to the environment.

The box shaped bag is in a colour combination of matte neutral tones and metallic finish and also doubles as an everyday handbag featuring an adjustable strap to be worn either over the shoulder or as a handheld tote.

According to Canon, the  EOS 100D White, the world’s smallest DSLR camera. 

The chic EOS 100D is suitable for all skill levels with the following key features:

-          18.0 Megapixel  Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor

-          Compact, portable design

-          Simple shooting with Scene Intelligent Auto

-          Optical viewfinder and large touch screen

-          Full-HD movies with Hybrid CMOS AF II

-          Creative Filters and Extra Effect Shot

-          Built-in Feature Guide

-          EOS System of lenses and accessories

The camera on its own is available on sale in a wide number of UK stores including John Lewis and Argos retailing at between £400 and £500. 

But if it’s the Canon EOS 100D White-McCartney Linda bag combi you are after, the limited edition package will be available from Harrods and Selfridges for £1,200 from November 18th. Just in time for Christmas.

Handmade gifts and vintage items for Christmas from Etsy and Heal’s

Etsy Announces First UK Pop-Up Shop in London This Christmas

Heal’s presents an exciting line up of in-store events in the run up to Christmas

Etsy.com has also identified four major
Christmas 2014 trends,
including Natural Scandi.  
Click here to read more.

This Christmas, handmade gifts and vintage items will be top of shoppers’ list when seeking that unique gift for loved ones and friends.

That is why it is welcoming news that Etsy.com, the global marketplace for handmade and vintage online marketplace founded in New York in 2005, is opening its first pop-up shopping experience in the UK.

'Etsy House' will open for three days from Friday December 5th to Sunday December 7th in Covent Garden, London selling a curated selection of the handmade and vintage gifts from over 100 independent creative businesses across the UK.

For sale at the Christmas pop-up shop will be a wide range of handmade gifts, home decorations, jewellery, stationery and accessories.  Over the weekend of Etsy House, visitors will be able to watch live crafting by Etsy artisans, take part in workshops led by Etsy designer-makers and have gifts customised by makers live in the store.

Shoppers will be able to purchase items at the pop-up shop using wireless card reader technology powered by iZettle, and point-of-sale payment provider Vend.

It is the first time Etsy House in this format will be executed outside of the US as following on the success of Etsy’s first ever pop-up shop in Soho, New York in 2013 which attracted over 20,000 visitors during the 10 days it was open.

Etsy.com is an online marketplace that allows people around the world to buy and sell unique goods directly from each other – anything from food to furniture . In 2013 alone, Etsy sellers sold nearly $1.35B worth of goods and 14 million new members joined the marketplace, making our global community 40 million strong.  The  company is today based globally, from the US to Australia, France, Germany and United Kingdom, United States and ships around the world.

Etsy House will open in London from 5th - 7th December at 5 Great Newport St, London, WC2H 7HY (nearest tube Leicester Square).

Meanwhile furniture and lifestyle retailer Heal’s has lined-up a series of in-store events in the run up to Christmas, to entertain and inspire customers during the winter season. From festive floristry to a masterclass in crayon making, these dynamic sessions will provide design inspiration to last through to the New Year.

On November 27^th, Heal’s Tottenham Court Road flagship store will be transformed into a hub of festive activity to play host to its annual Christmas Party which promises to be a fun filled evening with music, drinks, tastings and other entertainments.

Throughout November and December,  experts in floristry, craft and interiors will offer workshops and demonstrations in  Heal’s stores around London.

Among these events is a special workshop for patrons to learn to design, style and create their own wreaths for the festive period, jointly hosted with London florist Wildabout Flowers.

To get in the Christmas spirit, guests will be greeted with bubbles and nibbles, then set to work to create a masterpiece, worth up to £90, with the help of a talented florist from Wildabout Flowers.

Cost: £40

Book: www.heals.co.uk/event. Places are limited. To book, click here.

Dower & Hall celebrate 25th anniversary with new jewellery collections

One of UK's favourite jewellery brands Dower & Hall are celebrating their 25th anniversary by unveiling a number of new contemporary collections just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

One of the new ranges see them delving into their jewellery archive to find the best-sellers from the last two decades and meticulously reworking them into new favourites.

These are added into their popular Nomad collection (as shown in pictures above) featuring their signature multi-textured hammered finish.  The range includes mixed metal bangles, rings, free-formed pendants and bold geometric shaped earrings for a free-spirited range.

Husband and wife, Dan Dower & Diane Hall are the creative duo behind the brand and are heavily influenced by their travels around the globe.  Nomad takes inspiration from the organic shapes and patterns that are found in nature, from pebbles washed up on British seashores, to the outlines that are formed in the dry deserts landscapes of the great continent of Africa.

Timeless classic Cherish lockets allow that personal touch.

Also among the favourites is the Cherish collection in which the classic locket is recreated to turn it from a vintage keepsake to a contemporary trend for 2015.
The Cherish lockets are crated in Sterling Silver and 18ct Gold Vermeil featuring double-sided glass windows combined with planished metal.

Lockets have for centuries enabled the wearer to carry something the person treasures and Dower & Hall have also produced a range of intricately made charms and keep-sake momentos such as birthstones and little treasures that one can collect and keep inside the lockets.  Great ideas for marking special occasions or mile-stone moments.  They come in different metal hues, from 18ct gold vermeil to 18ct rose gold, sterling silver, oxidized silver and even 18ct gold with delicate pave set stones for an added touch of sparkle.

 A pair of sterling silver statement drop earrings set with 8 white topaz gemstones that graduate in size. The earrings are finished with a post and butterfly back. Organically inspired, the drops have a soft beaten finish that complements the sparkle of the faceted stones - designed to evoke the purity of fresh morning dew. Stone sizes - 5, 4 & 3mm.
Total length 85mm.

The Dewdrop range features delicate pendants, bracelets and earrings set with semi-precious gemstones such as white topaz, amethyst and blue topaz stones.  The Dewdrop collection is available in sterling silver, 18ct yellow gold vermeil and 18ct rose gold vermeil.
All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Amelia’s Magazine is 10 years old and a Kickstarter campaign is launched.

Amelia’s Magazine (a website that supports creative projects covering fashion, art, music and earth) is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with a one-off limited edition collectible artists’ book and an exclusive series of A2 limited edition art prints with real gold leaf.

Amelia’s Magazine has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise £12,000 to cover the costs of printing, paper, payment to artists, packaging and shipping. The campaign rewards for pledges include rare back issues, books, hand screen printed t-shirts, postcards and of course the limited edition book and art prints.

You can view the Kickstarter Campaign by clicking HERE. 

The artworks and writing for the book have been found through an open brief on the Amelia’s Magazine website, allowing artists from all over the world to submit work on the theme of That Which We Do Not Understand. The brief was inspired by the personal experience of two late miscarriages, and will explore the many ways in which humans seek to understand the things that they don’t understand in their lives. The brief closes on 10th November and so far there have been nearly 200 submissions.

The book and prints will be launched with a party and exhibition at Tatty Devine's shop on Brick Lane in December and thereafter any remaining artworks will be for sale with premier print destination East End Prints.  A few copies of the book will be available online and in a few prestigious bookshops, including the Tate, but most will be sold through the Kickstarter campaign.

Amelia’s Magazine has long championed new artists and this book will bring contributors’ work to a large audience. Better still, artists will receive 50% of profits from sales of the fine art prints, which will be made in editions of 10.

WEEKEND MAX MARA uses NEWLIFE™ sustainable yarn fashion

Under an advanced stylistic-industry project, Italian brand Weekend Max Mara has continued its association with Newlife™ yarn which is obtained by converting recycled plastic bottles in Italy. The polymer is spun into yarns by means of a 100% Made in Italy mechanical rather than chemical process.  

This lovely printed coat above illustrates that quality design and cutting edge sustainability can co-exist in desirable fashion.

Weekend Max Mara's “journey” into "responsible quality" begun last summer and now Max Mara introduces the new sustainable yarn in its autumn-winter 2014-2015 collection, featuring a selection of items in a special hi-tech fabric, made ​​using Newlife™yarn.  The new garments made in Newlife™ are currently for sale in 1500 stores in some 50 countries worldwide.

The manufacturing process is highly innovative and fully traceable, entirely mechanical as well as Made in Italy; it allows considerable saving in water and energy resources and a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, according to C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestyle and Sustainable Synergy), an international platform that supports and promotes sensible products.

Now the science bid about Newlife™ Newlife™ is a new kinds of Italian-made yarn by the Sinterama Group.  It is created using a High Tech Conversion Model that transforms 100% traceable postconsumer plastic bottles into an unrivaled high tech quality polymer while generating considerable savings in water -94%, energy consumption -60% and carbon emissions -32% as per Life Cycle Assessment conducted by ICEA. Newlife™ is also GRS certified by Textile Exchange and is certified by Oekotex. The Newlife™ yarns platform comes in a wide range of counts with multiple functional  performances offering incredibly different choices in terms of applications in textile productions: fashion, casual wear, lingerie, outdoor, luggage, workwear, sportswear, labels, ribbons, automotive, home textiles and outdoor furnishing. The Newlife™ yarn range allows the creation of fabrics and garments that comply to all sustainability requirements in terms of design, innovation and responsibility. 
Newlife™ obtained the Best Recycled Plastic Product Award 2012, assigned by EPRO (European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organizations) and Premio Impresa Ambiente in the category “Best Product” 2012 assigned by Ministero dell’Ambiente and Camera di Commercio of Rome - Asset Camera.