- Posted on
- 17 Feb 2013 at 08:56
The FAB coffee lounge at Moda was a popular meeting spot on Sunday, the first day. It is right alongside the FAB stand on K44....
Eric Musgrave's Blog
Eric's FAB blog
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Spreading the word at Moda
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FAB result for Deryane Tadd
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- 14 Feb 2013 at 12:59
I send my personal congratulations to FAB member Deryane Tadd, whose business has just been named Most Inspiring Independent fashion retailer of the year by Drapers. ...
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Pure in spirit
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- 11 Feb 2013 at 08:13
The FAB coffee lounge once again dominated the main floor at Pure. Our stand - S54 - is right alongside the lounge....
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In good company at the IMC show
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- 11 Feb 2013 at 07:28
It was the usual mixture of business with pleasure at the February meeting of the IMC menswear buying group at Whittlebury Hall, near Silverstone. FAB sponsored the drinks reception which preceded the black tie dinner, which is always a popular feature of the spring edition....
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Lingerie accolades for FAB members
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- 11 Dec 2012 at 10:37
FAB members Bradbeers of Romsey and Fenwick of Brent Cross were among the winners in the Best Shop Awards organised by Underlines, the leading lingerie, swimwear and legwear B2B magazine. There was also a special mention for Angela Salter, who has been buyer at FAB member Winch & Blatch for 40 y...
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A FAB triumph at The Drapers Fashion Awards
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- 23 Nov 2012 at 12:40
The top womenswear independent store in the UK is a member of FAB....
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Networking in Colchester
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- 07 Nov 2012 at 07:04
Fireworks were crackling overhead as the latest FAB-yourbrandspace.com networking event took place in Colchester on November 5. Once more there was plenty of talk between independent fashion retailers and fashion brands. The MUSA restaurant at the Firstsite Arts Centre made a very attractive v...
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United in Leeds
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- 23 Oct 2012 at 11:43
The Victorian splendour of Leeds Town Hall was the setting for the latest networking evening organised by FAB and www.yourbrandspace.com. We cleverly timed the event on October 19 to coincide with the opening night of Leeds Fashion Week and so we attracted a lively crowd of fashion independents, sup...
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Judging for the Drapers Fashion Awards
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- 23 Oct 2012 at 09:31
bira CEO Alan Hawkins and I were among the judges for the independent retailer categories of this year's Drapers Fashion Awards. Stephen Sidkin, of law firm Fox Williams (seen here between Alan and myself) and Karen Dennison, principal of the Fashion Retail Academy, (here on the extreme right) were ...
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A super time at Superdry
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- 12 Oct 2012 at 02:55
Superdry's stunning flagship store on Regent Street opened its doors to members of the FAB committee this week. The manager Rachael Alderson (front centre) was a charming and informative guide across the 25,000sq ft, 4-floor store, which has 160 staff. The group comprised myself, Lyn Wiltshire...
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Chris Scotney: 40 not out
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- 12 Oct 2012 at 02:07
Many congratulations go to long-serving FAB committee member Chris Scotney, who reaches 40 years in business on November 14....
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Join us in Leeds and Colchester this autumn
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- 29 Sep 2012 at 06:07
Leeds and Colchester are the latest venues for the FREE networking events organised by FAB and www.yourbrandspace.com, the virtual showroom that connects fashion buyers with brands. I look forward to welcoming FAB members to the events - and I would be thrilled if they brought along some f...
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Networking in London during Pure
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- 21 Aug 2012 at 07:13
They came, they met, they networked. The latest gathering organised by FAB and yourbrandspace.com saw a great crowd squeezing into the Apartment58 private members' club in Poland Street, Soho on the Monday evening of Pure. Agent Adrian Walker of Fashion Stage International also helped with...
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Raising FAB's profile at Pure
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- 20 Aug 2012 at 10:34
On the stage at Pure on Sunday, FAB committee member Carole Hilton-Stone revealed some of the secrets to being a successful womenswear retailer. Interviewed by FAB consultant Eric Musgrave, Carole explained how she had made her special occasion shop, Dressed of Harrogate, a local hous...
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A sunny start at Pure
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- 20 Aug 2012 at 10:17
Sunday, the first day at Pure, coincided with one of the hottest days of the year, but happily the air conditioning worked very well at Olympia. The banner for our FAB Lounge dominated the Grand Hall, as it had in February, and the Lounge was a very popular stopping-off point for visitors to the sho...
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Meeting up at Moda
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- 13 Aug 2012 at 12:49
The FAB Lounge at Moda proved to be a huge success on Sunday, the opening day of the event at the NEC. It was steadily busy throughout the day and became full at 5pm when FAB hosted a drinks reception....
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Go for a one-to-one FAB session at Moda
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- 07 Aug 2012 at 11:27
Want to know more about how FAB can make your independent fashion business stronger and healthier? Then take time out at Moda next week (Sunday Aug 12 to Tuesday Aug 14) to have a one-to-one session with a member of FAB's knowledgeable staff and other independent retail...
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Network with FAB on August 20th during Pure
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- 20 Jul 2012 at 07:47
On the evening of Monday August 20th, FAB, yourbrandspace.com and the London Fashion Network are joining forces yet again to host an informal and fun gathering in central London for anyone who is interested in supporting the independent fashion sector. We'd love to see you there....
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Touring Selfridges Birmingham
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- 20 Jul 2012 at 04:21
Members of the FAB management committee were given a VIP tour of Selfridges Birmingham on Thursday July 19 following a meeting at bira's HQ in the city. Bruce McLaren, Chris Scotney, Michael Hughes, Sarah Golden, myself, Melissa Wheeler, Lennie Rosenfield, Lyn Wiltshire and Carole Hilton-Stone reall...
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Go for gold in The Drapers Fashion Awards
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- 20 Jul 2012 at 03:42
I'd urge any forward-looking fashion independent to enter the Drapers Fashion Awards. There is one week left until this year's deadline closes on Friday, July 27. Don't be shy - putting together an entry itself is a really good exercise for any business....
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Bright ideas in Brighton
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- 31 May 2012 at 11:48
There was plenty of networking going on at the latest event jointly staged by FAB and yourbrandspace.com for independent retailers and their suppliers. The venue was Brighton on Tuesday May 29, the eve of Brighton Fashion Week. With the help of Michaela of Fashion Sussex, we pulled in a great crowd ...
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Lobbying is better than moaning
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- 25 May 2012 at 12:44
It’s very easy to moan about politicians, banks, government, local authorities and all manner of bureaucracies that make retailers’ lives more frustrating. But rather than just moaning, FAB, via its parent body, bira, actually does something about the issues that matter....
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See you in Brighton on May 29
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- 25 May 2012 at 10:12
Next Tuesday, May 29, FAB and yourbrandspace.com will be welcoming independent fashion retailers and their suppliers to a FREE networking event at the Hilton Brighton Metropole. The start time is 6.30pm, the venue is the Ambassador Suite and the hotel is at Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2FU...
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FAB and YBS united in the city of Manchester
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- 17 May 2012 at 07:30
A good time was had by all at the networking event held in Manchester on Wednesday May 16 by FAB, yourbrandspace.com and the Manchester Fashion Network. Independent fashion retailers, fashion brand owners and some people with a foot in both camps came together at the 2022NQ arts space in Dale Street...
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Bicester sets a high bar
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- 02 May 2012 at 11:06
Members of the FAB committee were mightily impressed by the retailing standards at Bicester Village, the outlet centre close to FAB's office in Banbury. Even on a cold, dull Tuesday afternoon, the place was very busy. This year the centre expects to attract an astonishing 5.8 million visitors, some ...
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Come and have a FAB evening in Manchester on May 16
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- 30 Apr 2012 at 12:59
It will give me great pleasure to welcome FAB members, potential members and fashion suppliers at a networking evening we have organised for the evening of Wednesday May 16 in Manchester....
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Check out yourbrandspace.com
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- 26 Apr 2012 at 03:49
I am always on the lookout for good ideas for independent fashion shops. That’s why I like the look of www.yourbrandspace.com, a clever new FREE service for fashion buyers that allows them to view brands’ ranges online anytime....
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The winning ways of Melissa Wheeler
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- 25 Apr 2012 at 07:54
Many congratulations to Melissa Wheeler from Ambiance of Colchester, who scooped two accolades at the bira Gala Awards Dinner in Birmingham last night. She was named as Fashion Association of Britain's UK Young Retailer of the Year and then topped that by winning the award for the best young retaile...
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The view from the counter, part 1
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- 16 Apr 2012 at 11:11
Vicki and Melissa Wheeler from Ambiance of Colchester...
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Let Them Eat Cake
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- 05 Apr 2012 at 12:04
This fine example of the cake-maker's art arrived at FAB HQ courtesy of those nice people at Drapers....
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Spreading the word
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- 30 Mar 2012 at 01:01
I want to give a big "Thank You" to those nice people at the RAS titles who have really got behind what FAB is trying to achieve. A Q+A feature on what FAB is all about is now online on the sites for WomensWearBuyer, MensWearBuyer, ChildrenswearBuyer and Fashion Extras. Watch out for more from FAB m...
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Young journalists bang the drum for new independents
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- 27 Mar 2012 at 10:37
Well done to journalism students Hannah Stanton and Danielle Spears for highlighting the number of independent fashion shops that are opening in a short report that can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Lbd1p8xGE Students...
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The future of independent retailing discussed at Pure
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- 26 Mar 2012 at 09:29
Mick Weedon, deputy CEO at bira, FAB's parent association, was part of a panel discussion at Pure in February that discussed the future of the independent retail sector. This link is worth watching....
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On the seminar stage at Pure
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- 26 Mar 2012 at 09:21
Last month on the seminar stage at Pure, I was joined by FAB members Sally White and Elaine Black. Both trade in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, and stress that even close neighbours can benefit from joining the association. Enjoy the link....
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More from Moda
- Posted on
- 22 Feb 2012 at 10:57
On Monday, day two at Moda, the FAB Lounge and information stand saw a steady stream of visitors. Among those stopping by was FAB member Hilary Cookson (right), of Maureen Cookson in Whalley, Lancs, seen here with her accessories buyer Claire Holland Brooks and Tony McCarrick, FAB's national members...
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In the mood at Moda
- Posted on
- 20 Feb 2012 at 02:58
After FAB’s successful launch at Pure last week, the reception at Moda proved to be even more encouraging this weekend. The FAB Lounge at the NEC event was a popular stopping-off point for members and potential members and a lively group gathered for a drinks reception at the end of Sunday....
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FAB salutes the Inspiring Independents 2012
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- 14 Feb 2012 at 08:21
FAB's congratulations go to Mark Bage and the team at York-based Sarah Coggles, which topped the list of Drapers' Inspiring Independents for 2012. The announcement was made at a lively and well-attended party on Monday night, which was sponsored by FAB. Here FAB's Eric Musgrave congratulates Mark, w...
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Pure at heart
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- 13 Feb 2012 at 06:55
The FAB Lounge at Pure proved to be a very popular stopping-off point at the Olympia show on Sunday. The official launch of the group was well received and the FAB team made an encouraging number of contacts with potential new members. ...
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FAB's Pure activity
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- 10 Feb 2012 at 11:02
I am so looking forward to meeting FAB retailers at Pure this weekend. Members and prospective members will be most welcome to drop by the FAB lounge at the show for refreshments and to learn more about how FAB can positively assist their businesses....
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A FAB launch at the IMC show
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- 10 Feb 2012 at 08:37
The heavy snow kept a few buyers away, but there was the usual warm welcome for all at the IMC menswear buying group meeting in Northants last weekend. Now more than 30 years old, the IMC is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when like-minded retailers work together for their common good. F...
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