5 August, 2010

Manolo Blahnik for Liberty: Candles and notecards and cushions, oh my!

Who better than ‘Uncle Manolo’ as I affectionately refer to him (nope, never met the guy) to curate Liberty this Christmas? Yeah baby, windows, decs, the lot. And before that we get a three-month pop-up* shop launching on Fashion’s Night Out 2010 (Sept 8th) which will sell shedloads of Manolo-shaped wares. Here’s a taster.

*Oops, my bad, you can’t call it a pop-up shop. That’s a Manolo no-no. “I hate that word – pop-up – it’s so spitty,” spiteth Manolo to Vogue.co.uk.

Disneyrollergirl 12 Comments Designers, Retail concepts

21 July, 2010

Dover Street Market tachiagari

The concept store, er, concept is thriving in the UK. Recent additions include Manchester’s Hervia Bazaar (which has a really nice website by the way) and 123 in London’s east end which takes a sustainable stance (think Noki’s upcycled creations). (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 9 Comments Designers, Retail concepts Aw10, concept stores, Dover Street Market

20 July, 2010

Mrporter.com hires staff

News is trickling in of hires at Net-a-Porter’s sibling site, Mr Porter. Toby Bateman, currently buying manager at Selfridges has been appointed by Natalie Massenet as buying director for the new menswear site which launches in January. Working alongside Bateman will be buyer Katja Delaloye, previously at Brunschwig & Cie and Hofstetter Sports.

I’m very interested to see who will make the grade for Mr Porter’s editorial division. Net-a-porter is as well known for its magazine (made up of mostly ex-Elle staffers) as its buying and it will be fascinating to see what kind of content is deemed appropriate for the Mr Porter man. Incidentally, the editor hasn’t been appointed yet so if you fancy your chances, apply here!

Disneyrollergirl 6 Comments Business of fashion, Retail concepts menswear, Netaporter

10 July, 2010

Selfridges Forever shop

Wait, Selfridges to open a pop-up shop curated by creative director Alannah Weston, Elle Deco Editor Michelle Ogundehin and Paul Smith selling ‘forever favourites’ like Burberry trench coats and Levi’s 501s? Plus ‘well-loved’ books and Hermes scarves? Sounds like the retail version of those ‘top 20 fashion classics’ articles I’m always being asked to write. And the shop of my dreams.