Britons splash out £6 billion a year emulating celebrating lifestyles

Magazines and social media's report on celebrity styles and fashion because such news drive circulation sales and in turn, what a celebrity wears can have great influence on the way we shop in the UK.

David Beckham named as
British Fashion Council (BFC) 's
Ambassadorial President last year.
BFC photo.

According to a new report conducted by OnePoll for Zopa, British consumers love to emulate celebrity lifestyles to the tune of £6 billion a year, in the survey of 2,000 consumers.  Additionally a typical Briton spends £517 yearly making an attempt to emulate celebrities’ lifestyles.  While nearly a fifth admitted to purchasing merchandise within a fortnight after seeing a star wearing or using a merchandise, one in four adults stating that their spending habits have been influenced indirectly by celebrities.

The most influential female celebrity has been revealed as TV star Holly Willoughby, presenter on This Morning, whereas  David Beckham is deemed the most influential male celebrity.

Other influential female celebrities include Rihanna, Kate Middleton, the Kardashians, Kate Moss, Meghan Markle, Taylor Swift, Victoria Beckham and Emma Watson.

Male style-role models include actors Bradley Cooper and George Clooney followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Kanye West, Ryan Gosling, David Gandy, Justin Bieber and Harry Styles.

The top items that celebrities inspire consumers to buy included gadgets and clothing, and products for the home.
Celebrities can also influence us on hairstyles, fragrances, merchandise, watches, make-up, footwear, luggage, jewellery and sunglasses.

The survey shows that women are more incliend than men to be swayed by a celebrity link, while 25 percent in comparison with 22 percent of males.  But men are more likely to be influenced to make more expensive purchases.

UK Retail: Is Fashion fleeing the high street?

Following the news on Friday 15 March that Arcadia is reportedly poised to launch a CVA, Sofie Willmott, Senior Retail Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view on the chain's current challenges and the scenario on the UK retail market: click vs mortar.  Clothing & Footwear will the fastest declining sector in UK town centres over the next five years.

News that Arcadia is poised to launch a CVA comes as no surprise as clothing & footwear spend continues to shift online and rising operating costs make physical locations less viable, said Ms Willmott.

“(UK) High streets will be the hardest hit with already declining spend being further impacted by significant branch closure plans at Arcadia as well as major players Debenhams and Marks & Spencer. The shuttering of anchor stores in town centres will encourage consumers to go elsewhere to purchase clothing & footwear, negatively impacting other retailers in the area.

“GlobalData forecasts that clothing & footwear will be the fastest declining sector in town centres over the next five years with spend falling 13.8% between 2018 and 2023, versus the total town centres market which is set to decline 1.9%, propped up by essential product sectors namely food & grocery and health & beauty.

“While town centres accounted for over 40% of clothing & footwear spend in 2013, other locations which are better able to meet shoppers’ needs such as supermalls and retail parks, as well as the online channel, have tempted consumers away with high streets forecast to account for just 25.9% of spend by 2023.”

A Fisherman's Trend for transition weather

It's hard to decide what to wear during this Spring-cum-rain time of the year.  Especially when it's looking stormy outside.

Elka has collaborated with Monocle to bring a unisex hardwearing rain jacket to the market.

Elka draws on its expertise in creating Danish fishermen’s work clothes when producing its high-quality rainwear.

With welded seams and adjustable hood, this exclusive Monocle collaboration is a careful adaption of the classic raincoat.

Made in the EU with lightweight PVC, simple snap buttons, and an adjustable hood, it is a practical solution for a wet weekend away.  Elka X Monocle rain jacket available in Navy and Olive, in sizes: XS to XL.

About Monocle, it is a complete media brand based in London, with print, audio and online elements and an expanding retail network and online business. Via their shops in London, Toronto, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Zürich and LA, and a seasonal shop in Merano, Italy, the company sells products that cater to their readers’ tastes, produced by brands they believe in. Monocle also has cafés in Tokyo, Zürich and London, as well as a newsstand and coffee concept in London called Kioskafé.

2019 Baselworld - March 20th to 26th - has been reinvented says organiser

As the world is increasingly concerned about climate change and the impact of plastics pollution in our seas, water and the earth's oceans are very much sources of inspiration for many watch brands from Switzerland launching to the trade this Spring.

The Nethuns Colorum II collection is water resistant to 200 metres, thanks to a unique construction that includes a sculpted outer case in either 925 silver or a special bronze alloy made of copper and tin. This outer case is fitted over a watertight inner case that holds the movement. The dial is made in a choice of bold colours, including red, blue, turquoise and orange, which are the best colours for readability under water. Each dial colour has a rubber strap to match. A sturdy screw-locked crown at the 9 o’clock position operates an internal bezel that times dives without being susceptible to inadvertent adjustments. An eternal renewal, like the life which flows through us.

One example is Strom's Nethuns II Colorum collection inspired by the Etruscan god of the sea.  Nethuns symbolises the perpetual cycle of water flowing from sources to streams, rivers to oceans, before evaporating into the sky to be reborn as rain.

Another example is the  Faubourg de Cracovie Salmon SOCKEYE collection of CZAPEK & CIE which has been named after famous salmon species from the Pacific Ocean.

The dial of the Sockeye - part of CZAPEK & CIE’s new Faubourg Cracovie salmon collection  - is made of alloy 401, a combination of 55% gold and a mixture of platinum, palladium and silver with an electroplated salmon finish. It was made by the craftspeople at Metalem, Czapek’s partner in Le Locle. The steel case houses a high frequency (36,000 vph) automatic movement, the calibre SXH3, an outstanding integrated column-wheel chronograph movement, bearing the COSC Chronometer certification and made by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Limited edition to 18 pieces.

The dial design of the Sockeye was inspired by a bespoke piece created for a collector who requested a watch from the Quai des Bergues line with a salmon-coloured guilloché dial and blue hands and numerals.

While visitors to the 2019 Baselworld will be on the look-out for new creations from Swiss brands exhibitinng at the prestigious fair from March 20th to 26th, all eyes will be on new changes that the organisers had promised since last December that the 2019 event “will be reinvented and more appealing to all.”

Michel Loris-Melikoff, the new director of Baselworld, supported by the Swiss Exhibitors' Committee, was determined to give the show a complete makeover, in addition to the synchronisation of exhibition dates between the world’s two largest watch fairs – SIHH and Baselworld -  which will come into operation in 2020 (SIHH from April 26th to 29th and Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th), among other changes.

On a practical level, the Show is rearranging the exhibition areas, resulting in a more compact event that will take place mainly in Halls 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 3, as well as a new press centre strategically located in the heart of the main hall, directly linked to the "Central Plaza" with its many restaurants. Not to mention the new "Best of Les Ateliers" located in Hall 1.0 (south); "The Loop" in Hall 1.1 with restaurants and lounge bar; and "The Show Plaza" in Hall 1.2, with runway shows worthy of New York salons. A range of new options with a wide choice of friendly places to work, chat, eat, drink or simply have a good time.

For 2019, a new partnership is being established with hotels in Basel and the surrounding area, with the aim of ensuring that hotel room rates are respected during the exhibition in an entirely transparent manner.  Apparently hree-quarters of hotels in Basel and the surrounding region have signed an agreement on compliance with maximum rates. They thus become official partners of the event and ensure that there will be no longer any minimum length of stay and no price increase compared with 2018.

The Amazon effect - Nine in ten Brits shop on Amazon

British shoppers' love affair with online shopping is going from strength to strength and Amazon is now revealed to be the go-to retailer nine out of ten times.

The popularity of Amazon - the retail phenomenon which started in a garage and now, nearly a quarter of a century later - its success is unbelievable.  But believe it as new research from Mintel reveals that almost nine in ten (86%) Brits are Amazon users/shoppers. According to Mintel, more Amazon shoppers have increased their shopping (21%) with the retailer than decreased it (13%) over the past year. Overall, most (70%) Amazon customers shop with the retailer at least once a month, while just under a fifth (17%) use the retailer on a weekly basis.

In terms of what’s in the basket, hardcopy media (books, DVDs or video games) (39%) remains Amazon’s most popular purchases. This is followed by electricals (30%), fashion/jewellery (30%), and toys (20%). An impressive 45% of households in the UK have some form of Amazon produced device, with Kindle (23%), Fire TV/TV Stick (16%), Fire Tablet (14%), and Echo (11%) proving the most popular.

Inherent trust in this retail giant is confirmed by the fact that as many as half (51%) of Amazon users assume that the e-retailer has the cheapest prices, while six in ten (59%) say they are loyal to the company. What is more, 70% of Amazon shoppers say it is the first retailer they go to when shopping online.

Nick Carroll, Mintel Associate Director of Retail, said:

 

“Amazon is a phenomenon of 21st century retail. In a little over 20 years, it has grown to be a retailer that nearly all consumers use. It has achieved this through a relentless focus on customer-facing investment and innovation. Amazon started selling books, but now holds a significant share in almost all retail categories, helped by the incubation of thousands of independent sellers through its Marketplace scheme. The retail giant has expanded far past the bounds of normal retail operations into media streaming, consumer electronics and cloud computing. Amazon has built a platform that customers are both happy to use, and pay for the privilege of doing so via its various subscription services.”

“While most consumers already shop with Amazon, the retailer continues to gain market share by increasing the number of Prime members. That’s because Prime members buy significantly more, and across a broader number of categories, than non-members. This is why Amazon continues to add to the list of Prime-exclusive services, with Premier League matches coming in the second half of this year. Regardless of the reasons people join Prime - there is a net benefit for the retail side of the business,” Nick adds.

Amazon is not the high street killer

The impact of Amazon’s reach into the physical retail sector is confirmed by the fact that almost half (45%) of Amazon users believe that the e-tailer is responsible for physical stores closing. Meanwhile, three quarters (75%) of Amazon shoppers say they often check the prices of products they see in-store on Amazon. And physical retailers are probably being used as showrooms, as 70% of Amazon shoppers say they research products elsewhere but then buy via the site.

But while many acknowledge the negative impact of Amazon on the high street, some 40% of Amazon users believe it supports independent retailers and 29% believe that shopping via Amazon Smile is a good way to give to charity.

 

New sustainable and functional fabric options on offer at Intertextile Apparel

Comprehensive product zones including one entitled All About Sustainability which will feature Chinese and European exhibitors are deemed to be must-see destinations at the upcoming Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Spring Edition trade fair, March 12 - 14.

The Forum Space at last year’s All About Sustainability Zone proved popular, say organisers at Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong, noting that the zone is ideal for visitors sourcing eco-friendly textile products to gain insight on new sustainable business approaches.   Photo: Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong.             

Exhibitors at the All About Sustainability zone will include Foshan Chicley Textile’s sustainable fashion fabrics – a range of organic linen and cotton, Lenzing ECOVERO, Modal and TENCEL, as well as digital printed fabrics.  While the new OEKO-TEX®100 Standard regulations have been published for 2019 according to organisers at Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong, the All About Sustainability zone also houses exhibitors who provide testing and certification services.

With the added element of the fringe programme, which will include seminars held by exhibitors, the fair offers visitors opportunities to learn more about the latest industry opinions and regulations.

Hohenstein Textile Testing and TESTEX both offer Standard 100, STeP, Eco Passport, Detox to Zero and Leather Standard by OEKO-TEX® testing amongst other services, and both of these exhibitors will also host a seminar.  Hohenstein Textile Testing will explain the amended OEKO-TEX® regulations, while TESTEX will discuss how these new regulations help to build trust with today’s consumers. Other exhibitors offering testing services include Intertex Testing Services, SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services and TUV Rheinland.

“Shanghai is a great city for a business with original prints, and Intertextile is one of our busiest fairs. It’s a good place to find new clients,” explained Ms Jane Han Zhang, Founder & Creative Director of British design studio Fairbairn & Wolf Studio.  Jane and her partners are alumni of the London-based TexSelect (formerly Texprint) which promotes and nurtures British-trained fashion and design graduates through its annual competition that has won international acclaim.

Messe Frankfurt has reported that over 3,000 exhibitors from more than 20 countries & regions will join this year’s Spring Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics from 12 – 14 March, spanning a huge range of textile product categories, from fashion to technical innovation. 

Comprehensive product zones will reflect demand for different products such as sustainable solutions, functional fabrics, digital printing, accessories and denim.

Spanning six halls at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (Shanghai) this year, the fair will be held concurrently with Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles, Yarn Expo Spring, PH Value and CHIC.

New Art Exchange presents Hassan Hajjaj: The Path 6 April – 23 June 2019

A new solo exhibition featuring the latest works by Moroccan-British photographer Hassan Hajjaj entitled The Path will put you on a journey experiencing his unique travel photographs in exciting colours and stimulating settings.

My Rockstar Series featuring (from left) Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, 2017/1438 and Kamaal Williams,
2016/1437 by Hassan Hajjaj

Presented by the New Art Exchange - a contemporary arts space in Nottingham - The Path  will take place from 6 April to 23 June showing new works from the celebrated My Rock Stars series; a new collection of previously unseen travel photographs, In Between; new works from the Dakka Marrakchia series and a site-specific installation called Le Salon.   This exciting showcase will exhibit Hassan Hajjaj’s diverse wealth of work, curated by Ekow Eshun.

Dakka Marrakchia series - Dotted Peace, 2000/1421 by Hassan Hajjaj

Hajjaj’s work is characterised by an exuberant melee of colours, patterns, appropriated brand logos and everyday objects, such as the Sprite cans and tomato tins he works into his picture frames. Taking a view through an international lens, Hajjaj uses photography to present a unique and timely consideration of culture and identity in the modern, globalised world.

In the photography series Dakka Marrakchia, women pose like fashion models on the streets and rooftops of Marrakech while dressed in camouflage pattern kaftans and luxury print face veils. The portraits offer Hassan’s perception of Muslim women as dynamic and empowered.

My Rockstar Series featuring (from left) Rilene and Marc Hare, 2013/1434 by Hassan Hajjaj

The Path confronts Hajjaj’s dual-identity through the bold use of colour, shape and pattern. The exhibition title references Hajjaj’s personal journey from his birthplace in Larache, Morocco, to London, UK and beyond, into his experience working around the world.  The showcase draws inspiration from the album The Path by the jazz-fusion musician Ralph MacDonald, which pays artistic testament to the diasporic scattering of people of African descent around the globe, a common theme in Hajjaj’s practice.

(Above: Between series (from left): Neon In The Night, 2011/1432 and Chanel Back, 2010/1431
by Hassan Hajjaj)

Much of Hajjaj’s work focuses on figures whose family origins mostly lie abroad, in Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East or elsewhere. Through this theme, Hajjaj conjures a vision of a society united, not divided, by difference.  At a time of major conflict within Britain, Hajjaj’s portraits make an urgent, timely case in favour of hybridity and multiculturalism. In his images, cultural identity is seen as fluid and multiple rather than fixed and singular.

From left: Laroussa table, 2009/1430 and Astral bucket stool, 2002/1423 by Hassan Hajjaj

At NAE Hajjaj turns his focus to British personalities, concentrating primarily on figures such as the painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, jazz musician Kamaal Williams and the shoe designer Marc Hare. As always, his subjects hail from a range of cultural backgrounds creating, in composite, a portrait of Britain at its most dynamically diverse.