Attire Accessories - May/Jun 2018 (Issue 70)

ATTIRE 107 UP AND COMING set schedule, meandering around the city finding new ideas, places and experiences that influence the business. How has the product offering changed since you started and how would you describe your current collection? The product offering has developed greatly from the original set of sock boxes. We now have 20 sock box styles and individual pairs, a range of pins, jewellery, cashmere bed socks, gloves and hats, bags and hair accessories launching for AW18. Although we started off with a clothing collection, this now makes up a smaller proportion of our business.The accessories collection is totally uplifting; a kaleidoscope of colour, eclectic, glittery; all elements I look for to complete an outfit or to buy as a gift. How often do you launch new lines? We are working on new product lines constantly, for the next and current seasons. We tend to work on new product development in the evenings when it’s quiet and calm and you have the chance to think creatively and make samples. We talk a lot to our customers to pick their brains on new lines – what’s working, what should be tweaked etc.This is where most ideas for new lines come from. What are your current best-selling designs? Of the spring collection, the Havana and Monaco sock boxes and of the original set, the Tokyo sock box.The sparkly bee and star necklace are the best sellers in pins and jewellery. When was the website launched and how does it support the business? The website was launched when the business started as a shop window to show the look book and then as a retail platform in February. More than the website, the Instagram page is a huge support for the business as this is where we communicate with the shops that stock our collection, we can get instant feedback on new ideas and meet new potential customers. Since you can get a clear idea of the shop and whether you’ll be a good match for their customers, it means you can really pinpoint the right stores effectively. What have been the key milestones in the business – what is your greatest achievement to date? In the three-month run up to Christmas last year we took on 100 accounts – mainly small independents. We were really pleased with how quickly stores were selling out and re-ordering after having had those moments of doubt when you say to each other – ‘is this a good idea?’ Since we’re so new to the accessories world, we’re looking forward to many more milestones ahead of us! How do you view the current market and what trends, both in business and product do you see emerging over the coming months? We think that as a response to uncertainty and transition the importance of your home as a sanctuary and what you choose to wear as escapism will direct what we are creating. We are interpreting this as a need for joy through colour! Bright, bold, joyful colour. Small luxuries, more personalisation, a sense of fun. All these factors will guide the products that we develop over the coming months. Do you have any thoughts on how Brexit will affect your business? The price increases of materials were mostly in place before we started the accessories range so our main concern is obviously ease of distribution to our overseas customers. We will need to outsource distribution if the process of exporting stock becomes an endless pile of paperwork. What are your future plans for the business? We are developing the accessories side of the business and are looking at new categories constantly, there’s a large list on the wall, which keeps getting longer, of areas we’d like to explore. We also love buying and selling vintage interior pieces and are looking at how to incorporate this passion into the main business. A Contact Sixton London +44 (0)20 7274 0660 sixton.london Instagram.com/sixtonlondon