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Swiss watchmaker Norqain preps UK launch, Gary Neville joins board

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Entrepreneur and TV pundit Gary Neville has joined the board of Norqain as the family-owned Swiss watchmaker prepares to launch in the UK.

His appointment follows the former Manchester United and England footballer taking a “significant” but undisclosed investment in the watchmaker, with Neville expected to play an active role in the business’s UK strategy, reported the Financial Times.

Drawn to the brand’s “values and innovative, sporty timepieces”, Neville said: “I’ve been following Norqain for some time now. As a challenger brand in the Swiss watch industry, Norqain is a perfect fit for me, and I’m thrilled to join Ben [Küffer, CEO] and the team as a partner in the business here in the UK and Ireland…
we share the same vision and challenger spirit, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Norqain’s UK and Ireland division was set up last month and is led by MD Martyn Jenkins, who has joined the business at “a pivotal moment in its journey”. 

“Norqain isn’t just another luxury watch brand, it’s a movement and a community, challenging the status quo and bringing something fresh to the market,” he told City AM.

Norqain, which was co-founded in 2018 by Swiss former professional ice hockey player Mark Streit, has a history of partnering with sporting figures including tennis player Stanislas Wawrinka, who has also invested in the brand, ice hockey player Roman Josi and skier Tina Weirather. However, Neville is the first such partner to join the board, it said.

Jenkins said Norqain raised CHF7 million (£6.13 million) two years ago in a fundraising round, which also saw watch industry veteran Jean-Claude Biver become an investor and subsequently brought in as an adviser to the board. 

Norqain has grown rapidly since its launch and now produces between 10,000 and 15,000 watches a year (average sale price of around £4,000 each), growing its revenues by 28% in 2024.

In distribution terms, the brand would like to be positioned in 500 and 700 stores as opposed to the 300 stores today. 

Küffer said that Norqain is targeting future growth without further rounds of fundraising. “The UK is such a big market that you need to muscle up and say, ‘I’m ready to come’,” said Küffer.

“And when you come, you have to bring some money to the game; otherwise you’re not going to get far. And I think now we’re perfectly ready for that.”

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La Redoute collaborates with ambassador Louise Thompson for extensive SS25 edit

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Fashion and homewares brand La Redoute has launched its latest UK collaboration with the brand’s newest ambassador, author, podcaster and columnist Louise Thompson.

The reality show star (she originally appeared in Made In Chelsea) has become a popular lifestyle influencer in recent years.

The range brings together Thompson’s “unique aesthetic to life through an exclusive edit, blending effortless elegance with her distinct personal touch”.

And for an edit, it’s extensive, featuring 100 pieces across fashion and interiors offering both wardrobe essentials and homewares pieces.
 
Of the spring/summer fashion edit, there are 26 curated pieces “that transition through the seasons”. From pastel knit jumpers to blazers and ballet-style flats, and we’re told “each item reflects Louise’s effortless yet refined approach to dressing”.

The interiors edit comprises of over 70 homewares pieces, with staple wooden furniture, soft furnishings and decorative accents.

Sarah Link, marketing director at La Redoute, said: “Louise’s passion for style and clean-cut aesthetic is something which aligns perfectly with La Redoute’s ethos, which makes this collaboration such an idealistic one.”
 
The La Redoute x Louise Thompson edit is available online, with prices starting from £14.99.  

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London’s Westfield malls target 300k visitors for Eid celebrations

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Returning for a sixth consecutive year, both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City malls become the capital’s leading destination for the annual London Eid Festival.

Europe’s largest Eid al-Fitr celebration, it’s taking place until 6 April at Westfield London, followed by Westfield Stratford City (11-13 April), with the events expected to draw over 300,000 visitors across both weekends – “rivalling the footfall typically seen on Boxing Day at the centres”, operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said.   
 
Organised by Westfield Rise, its in-house media, brand partnerships, and experiential agency, the events span 4.2 million sq ft across indoor and outdoor event spaces. The festival features a mix of live entertainment, immersive brand activations, food markets, and international retailers from Turkey, Malaysia, Dubai, and beyond.

Westfield Square will host a main entertainment stage, showcasing appearances from community celebrities and VIPs. Inside, visitors can explore over 80 international concession stands across The Atrium at Westfield London and The Arena at Westfield Stratford City, offering everything from modest fashion and boutique gifts to children’s books and homeware.

Melanie Lalou, director of Westfield Rise, Northern Europe, said: “The London Eid Festival is a prime example of how Westfield Rise connects brands with communities through immersive activations. Our event spaces host everything from interactive pop-ups to large-scale cultural celebrations, with live entertainment, vibrant food markets, and striking creative displays across our digital OOH network. This festival highlights the power of experiential engagement, bringing brands and diverse audiences together in a meaningful way.”
 

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Matalan in collab with Little Mistress and Vicky Pattison

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Fasahion/lifestyle retail group Matalan has launched a 27-piece collection in collaboration with fashion brand Little Mistress and TV personality Vicky Pattison. 

She’s only the latest in a series of reality TV show stars to link up with a retailer on a signature collection. She rose to prominence originally on the Geordie Shore show.

We’re told it’s a collection that brings together “the best of on-trend designs with Matalan’s signature commitment to great quality fashion at affordable prices”.

From dresses and tailored jumpsuits to casual blouses and statement skirts, the collection covers a variety of day-to-night styles, “reflecting Pattison’s personal style”. It comes in “bold hot pink, fiery red, and playful florals”. 

With prices starting from just £18 and in sizes from 8-22 the collection is now available in-store and online.

Matalan’s buying director, Laura Wiard said: “The collection reflects the latest trends, while ensuring we stay true to Matalan’s mission of providing stylish fashion at accessible prices.”

Mark Ashton, founder and MD at Little Mistress, added: “We’ve worked hard to create a collection that’s not only fashionable and versatile but also accessible for everyone. It’s all about empowering women to feel their best, no matter the occasion. We’re confident that this collection will resonate with customers and help them express their own unique style.”

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