Calypso Rose, director, Clippykit Loved by creative teenagers everywhere, Clippykit is all about customisable fashion accessories and the things to customise them with. Calypso Rose started the business from one bag made on the kitchen table — Clippykit is now a bestseller in Harrods, Selfridges and John Lewis. Rose won young business person of the year in 2004.
Georgina Harley-Smith, fashion designer Working out of her studio in Lambeth, Georgina Harley-Smith finds time to not only craft collections that get snapped up by the likes of Alexa Chung, but also to teach local teenagers the arts of pattern cutting, printing and garment construction. A London College of Fashion alumnus, Harley- Smith launched her debut collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout's spring summer 08 show, winning plaudits from across the fashion industry.
Julie Gaiger, director, Blue Flamingo Fashion The inspiration behind the launch of New Zealander Julie Gaiger's company, Blue Flamingo Fashion, was the discovery that her favourite wardrobe staple, the multi-top, was not available to buy in the UK. The business now specialises in polymorphic fashion garments for women, that can be worn in different ways to produce a multitude of styles.
Lee Lapthorne, managing director, On|Off On|Off is only five years old, but managing director Lee Lapthorne has created one of the most talked about catwalk programmes of London Fashion Week. Playing host to a mix of both on and off-schedule designers, On|Off provides both a showcase and a mentoring system. Its alumni include PPQ, Gareth Pugh and Karen Walker.
Rachel Perrett, director, Frock Limited Frockonline.com is the online boutique that dishes out styling advice as well as a fab range of womenswear, footwear and accessories. Director Rachel Perrett set out to defy the trend of impersonal online shopping and take time to answer emails and give great customer service. Small wonder Frockonline.com won best newcomer in the 2008 Cosmopolitan Online Fashion Awards.
James Wright, director, Jacob Kimmie Ltd As the partner in rising fashion star Jacob Kimmie's eponymous label, James Wright is all about developing the pair's fashion dream into a commercially self sustaining reality. 'Jacob is a terrific designer who is rapidly becoming known as a new British luxury clothing brand,' says Wright, 'even though he's South African!'
Tamsin Lejeune, director, Ethical Fashion Forum Tamsin Lejeune is founder of the Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) — the world's first trade association focused on sustainability. The EFF is working to achieve better practices in the fashion industry and has so far gained the support of leading designers including Vivienne Westwood and Roland Mouret, and retail giants such as Topshop and Marks & Spencer.
Rheanna Lingham, co-founder, Luna & Curious On Brick Lane lurks a treasure trove of unique creations. Luna & Curious is an independent shop, born out of six designers' (Lingham is one of them) desire to see what a collective venture could do with handmade and original stock. Opened in 2006, the space soon began showcasing artists' work and, so far, the collective has supported 35 new designers.
David Hathiramani and Warren Bennett, directors, A Suit That Fits Asuithatfits.com is a suitmaking company that uses web technology to offer millions of style, fabric and colour combinations at off-the-peg prices. David Hathiramani and Warren Bennett started with just a passion for suits and a confidence that they could use their respective engineering and software backgrounds. After selling their first suit at Hampstead market, the pair were inspired to start their unique business. Self-funded, the company now employs a team of 16 and boasts a £1.4m turnover.
Retha Queenan, founder, AA Lingerie 'AA Lingerie was launched in 2004 as a one-woman crusade in response to my own frustration at the lack of bras available for my own 32AA frame,' explains Reetha Queenan, the founder of the AA Lingerie online boutique, which stocks a diverse range of lingerie for sizes AA to AAA. Queenan remains singlehandedly responsible for all elements of her business.
Timothy Han, founder, Timothy Han London London-based bath and body company Timothy Han London creates hand-crafted natural products. Han is a believer in sustainable luxury, believing that natural and ethical products can compete against their synthetic counterparts in the desirability stakes. He founded Authentic Luxury with other ethical luxury entrepreneurs and activists.
