DENIM RETAILER DONNA IDA HITS THE HOT SEAT

On the 26th of October The Industry will host its quarterly ‘Network & Expert’ meeting at venue partner, Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™. The event commences at 5:00pm and will feature denim and retail guru, Donna Ida interviewed by Dolly Jones, editor of VOGUE.COM UK and long serving advisor to The Industry. These two acclaimed fashion minds are a force to be reckoned with and The Industry is proud to bring them together to discuss fashion business.

Donna, founder of Donna Ida understands consumer needs, ultimately the search for the perfect pair of jeans. She has managed to master retail with a steady but dynamic expansion of her eponymous chain of stores and e-commerce offering. In an era that has threatened most retailers, Donna Ida opened her first shop in 2006 on Draycott Avenue in London’s upmarket Chelsea and in 2008 she launched her services online at www.donnaida.com, including her famed ‘Denim Clinic’. Her next bricks and mortar store landed in Westfield’s luxury Village, clearly solidifying Donna on the retail map.

The beginning of 2010 saw the launch of Donna’s third boutique on Belgravia’s Elizabeth Street and finally in 2011, Donna Ida opened a fourth denim concept boutique in the gorgeous heart of Surrey - Guildford. Courtney Blackman, managing director of The Industry says, “Donna is the embodiment of a fashion business entrepreneur. In five years she has built up the UK’s, if not the world’s most renowned denim empire. Starting with a London-based boutique in 2006, Donna now has four stores including a boutique at Westfield and an online offering that ships globally. If anyone can map out a retail expansion plan for our members, it’s Donna Ida.”

The growing popularity of her brand has rebuked the current trend that has witnessed so many retailers under threat. How has Donna Ida achieved this? What advice does she have to share with members of The Industry?

Donna Ida will be in conversation with Dolly Jones who says, “I’ve been a fan of Donna Ida’s since she opened her first store in 2006 – her enthusiasm and dedication to her clients is impressive, both in store and online. It’s going to be interesting to chat to her about both platforms and how she handles each separately. She’s been a huge supporter of VOGUE.COM since we’ve known each other, taking on our plans for 2010’s Fashion’s Night In and this year’s first ever Online Fashion Week with inspiring energy – so I’m looking forward to finding out how she does it all.”

Would you like to join The Industry? The Industry exists to unite and evolve the global fashion community. It facilitates unique thought, powerful collaboration and innovative experience through rare interactions with industry icons at world-class venues. The Industry connects the very people who are shaping the future of fashion and it operates as a vetted members organisation, allowing for select media to attend events.

Members include home-grown and internationals, well-known and aspiring designers, journalists, photographers, stylists, buyers, make-up artists, PRs, brand managers and more.

The Industry’s venue partner is Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™, its managing director is Courtney Blackman and the advisory panel is made up of: designer, illustrator and author, Daisy de Villeneuve; VOGUE.COM UK’S editor, Dolly Jones; Matches’ COO, Frances Card; WGSN’s Lauretta Roberts; Bally’s creative director, Michael Herz; and retail consultant, creative director and trend forecaster, Yasmin Sewell.

You can apply for membership online by clicking here: JOIN The Industry

For membership enquiries: Laura McCluskey: [email protected]

For press enquiries: Penelope Sacorafou: [email protected]