Attire Accessories - Nov/Dec 2018 (Issue 73)

INDUSTRY NEWS 15 SUZANNE CHAPMAN CONSULTANCY OPENS ITS DOORS Industry expert and professional buyer Suzanne Chapman has unveiled her new venture: consulting with small businesses on their buying needs and decisions. Based in Edinburgh, Suzanne is looking forward to working with a range of SMEs in her new role. She comments, “Not all businesses want or require a full-time in-house buyer. This service means that retailers can tailor projects to provide as much or as little support in the buying process that is needed, whether it is sourcing and developing, buying, sales and negotiating or the complete package. Having established a strong base of supplier contacts, both in the UK and around the world, I’m looking forward to combining my two passions, people and products, to help support the commercial growth of the retail industry.” With 15 years’ buying experience, Suzanne’s business aims to build industry relationships based on the value of treating others how you want to be treated. Her ethos is to put the customer at the heart of everything, seeing that as the key to success. In addition to her consultancy, Suzanne offers a website-building service – an essential tool for any brand or retailer looking to broaden its customer base. For more information, visit suzannechapman.co.uk CENTRE FOR FASHION ENTERPRISE’S MANUFACTURERS TRADE SHOW PRESENTS FASHION TECH BUSINESSES OFFERING B2B SERVICES The fourth Manufacturers Trade Show, hosted by the Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE), for the first time presented a curated selection of Fashion Tech businesses offering B2B services. The Manufacturers Trade Show, which took place at Asia House, London, in October, showcased more than 20 mostly London-based, small batch manufacturers, connecting fashion SMEs with makers. The Fashion Tech businesses have been supported by the CFE and participated in its Fashion Tech business support programmes. The businesses include production marketplace Sewport, stain-resistant fabric innovator Induo, theft-proof bag manufacturer High Spirit Bags and 3D bespoke footwear brand Solely Original. CFE aims to be London’s fashion and fash-tech business incubator, helping to fast-track designers and entrepreneurs into successful businesses through tailored programmes of strategic business support. Visit fashion-enterprise.com