Attire Accessories - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 74)

DIT BUSINESS 75 the DIT team in the East of England as part of its business growth strategy to enter new markets, including the United States and Switzerland. Mary, the designer behind Jardine of London, established the brand in 2015 after running her own modelling agency. With a passion for handbags, inspired by her childhood leather music case, she created a brand based on responsible manufacturing, with all her products handmade in England. Her designs have garnered appeal from consumers around the world looking for high-quality goods with classic designs. With her focus on e-commerce, she’s seen inbound shoppers keen on her bags from across the planet. One of the key things Mary discovered is that the Britishness of her bags – being both designed and handmade in the UK – has helped to attract discerning consumers the world over who are looking for high-quality, well-designed bags. Offering distinctive British items that appeal to an international market has helped Mary bring her business to shoppers around the world. On the journey, DIT helped Mary source potential buyers for her products and develop her export strategy, as well as help develop her e-commerce platform and internationalise her website. And now, having long set her sights on the Asian market, Mary is in talks with a distribution company based in China and Hong Kong. FAST-PACED Consumers in fast-growing economies continue to seek high-quality British goods. Demand in Asia is on the increase for new luxury brands like Jardine of London, which are well positioned to expand into burgeoning retail markets. DIT can offer practical support through its network of ITAs, not just in answering questions about overseas customs and regulations but also in facilitating the market research and export plans that helped make the difference for Jardine of London. With consumers around the globe choosing to adorn themselves with our designs, there’s a world of opportunity out there for the British accessories industry. And with support available from DIT for fashion and accessories businesses at any stage of their exporting journey, there’s no reason a business like yours can’t tap into the global demand for our products. I’d suggest any business owner thinking about exporting gets in touch with their local DIT office to see the range of support available. If Jardine of London can do it, so can your business. DIT’s Exporting is GREAT campaign aims to help more businesses explore new markets overseas. The campaign is showcasing more than 30 UK businesses – encompassing every sector and region – to inspire and support firms up and down the country to export. Companies can find information and a current list of opportunities by visiting great.gov.uk The Department for International Trade (DIT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade deals and champions free trade. We are an international economic department responsible for: • Supporting and encouraging UK businesses to drive sustainable international growth • Ensuring the UK remains a leading destination for international investment and maintains its No. 1 position for international investment stock in Europe • Opening markets and building a trade framework with new and existing partners that is free and fair • Using trade and investment to underpin the government’s agenda for a Global Britain and its ambitions for prosperity, stability and security worldwide