Just A Fashion Minute

• Print vs Digital Media The Truth About Coexistence from Maurice Mullen

  David M. Watts: Hello, fashion enthusiasts! Welcome to another exciting episode of "Just A Fashion Minute," the podcast where we explore the latest ideas in fashion and shine a spotlight on the incredible talents shaping our industry. I'm your host, David M. Watts, and I couldn't be more thrilled to have you join us today.I have a truly fascinating guest lined up for this episode—Maurice Mullen. Maurice, who you may know from his influential roles at the London Evening Standard and ES Magazine, shares unparalleled insights from his extensive career in fashion publishing. We dive deep into some compelling topics, including the current state of print media, the evolving role of AI in fashion, and the indelible importance of quality journalism in today's digital age.One of the standout moments in our conversation is Maurice's recounting of an unforgettable day at the Ascot races, where he unknowingly spent time with Rocco Ritchie, Madonna's son. Maurice also opens up about his early career decisions, moving from a potential legal career in Northern Ireland to following his passion for fashion in London. His stories are both enlightening and entertaining!We'll also touch upon some pressing issues in the fashion world, from the impact of digital media on traditional magazines to Maurice's thoughts on the future of fashion publications. His views on the complementary relationship between print and digital media are sure to spark some thoughts.And as always, we have our "Just A Fashion Minute News Round Up," where we bring you the latest buzz in the fashion world. This week, we'll be covering Jacquemus' quirky marketing strategies, Glenn Martens' transformation of Diesel into a lifestyle brand, and all the speculation surrounding Chanel's next creative director.Don't forget to subscribe to "Just A Fashion Minute" on your podcasting app of choice so you never miss out on our latest episodes. Now, let's dive into this week's fascinating discussion with Maurice Mullen.Timestamps & Topics00:00 - Introduction and Just A Fashion Minute News Round-up: Updates on Jacquemus store openings, Diesel's collaboration with H&M, and Chanel creative director speculation.05:01 - Early Fashion Interest: Maurice discusses buying Vogue magazines as a teenager in Northern Ireland during the mid-seventies.07:54 - Career Transition: His journey from a legal career in Northern Ireland to London's publishing industry in the early eighties.13:18 - Definition of Fashion: Maurice defines fashion as nonverbal communication, a language people use to convey how they want to be perceived.15:57 - State of Print Media: Discussion on print media's resilience, with 13.6 million UK adults still reading daily print publications.20:00 - Digital vs Print: Analysis of how print and digital media coexist rather than compete.28:11 - Role of Professional Journalism: The importance of professional journalists in filtering accurate information from misinformation.31:35 - AI in Fashion Publishing: Discussion on AI's role as an enabler rather than a replacement for creative professionals.42:12 - Quick Fire Questions: Maurice answers questions about embarrassing fashion moments, industry unsung heroes, and his outfit.Guest BioMaurice Mullen is a prominent figure in fashion publishing with over three decades of experience. Until recently, he served as the head of luxury and fashion at the London Evening Standard Newspaper and ES Magazine. His career began unconventionally, transitioning from a legal background in Northern Ireland to London's publishing industry in the 1980s. Known for his expertise in luxury and fashion media, Mullen has worked with countless luxury brands globally and is a respected voice in fashion education, frequently speaking to students about the industry. He is Deputy Chair of the Graduate Fashion...

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• Fashion Entrepreneur Peter Williams Reflects on Jack Wills, New Ventures, & Market Resilience

  Hi there, fashion enthusiasts! This is David M. Watts, and welcome back to another exciting episode of "Just A Fashion Minute." Today, we have a truly exceptional show lined up for you. I'm thrilled to introduce our incredibly insightful guest, Peter Williams, the visionary founder of Jack Wills and the newly launched Aubin and Wills. Peter's career journey is nothing short of fascinating, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it.On this episode, you'll hear Peter candidly discuss the evolution of menswear, touching on the rarity of colourful options in the UK and how his brand has creatively integrated those vibrant pops. He shares a thought-provoking perspective on why men often stick to the safety of blue and how that's influenced his design choices.But it doesn't stop there. We'll delve into the challenges independent fashion brands face in this mega-corporation-dominated industry. Peter offers invaluable advice on building a successful business, the importance of a clear brand narrative, and the vital role of a skilled and reliable team.One of my favourite parts is when Peter recounts his journey as an entrepreneur, marked by both failures and triumphs. From an economics and strategy consultant to a fashion mogul, his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief.What's new? As always, we have our "Just A Fashion Minute News Round Up" to keep you updated on the latest in the fashion world. You won't want to miss the exciting collaborations and notable changes happening among top designers and brands.So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this insightful conversation. And hey, don't forget to subscribe to "Just A Fashion Minute" on your podcasting app of choice. That way, you'll never miss an episode brimming with insider fashion knowledge and inspiration. Happy listening!Timestamps & Topics00:00 - Introduction and Just A Fashion Minute News Round Up05:46 - Peter's unconventional route into the fashion industry: Peter discusses his background in economics and strategy consulting before starting Jack Wills.07:11 - The genesis of Jack Wills: Peter explains how his "23-year-old midlife crisis" led to the creation of Jack Wills, inspired by the spirit of youth and British heritage.14:08 - The importance of experiences in shaping career paths: Peter shares how his time at an American boarding school influenced the creation of Jack Wills.17:16 - The creation of Aubin and Wills: Peter explains the business model behind Aubin and Wills as a brand for Jack Wills customers who had grown up.20:19 - Innovative marketing strategies: Peter discusses creative ways of marketing Jack Wills, including reaching out to head boys and girls of private schools.25:43 - The future of independent fashion brands: Peter shares his thoughts on competing with mega-corporations in the fashion landscape.32:55 - Advice for young fashion brands: Peter encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take risks and start their businesses while young.35:47 - Quickfire questions: Peter discusses embarrassing fashion moments, favourite retailers, and his look of the day.Guest BioPeter Williams is a pioneering British fashion entrepreneur known for founding two successful retail brands. As the creator of Jack Wills in 1999, he transformed a small startup into a significant fashion business with international reach, including stores across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Williams launched the brand at age 23 after leaving a career in strategy consulting, driven by what he calls his "23-year-old midlife crisis." His entrepreneurial vision was shaped by his experiences at Salisbury School in Connecticut during his gap year, where he was immersed in American prep culture that would later influence his brand aesthetic. Under his leadership, Jack Wills grew to become a notable British fashion...

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• Fragrance and Fashion: Crafting Luxury Through Scent with Christopher Yu

  Hello, fashion aficionados! Welcome back to Just A Fashion Minute. I'm your host, David M. Watts, and today we have an incredible episode lined up for you. Our guest, Christopher Yu, takes us on a deep dive into the world of fragrance, sharing insights on sustainability, the art of perfumery, and the evolving language of smell. Christopher's experiences working with LMR and his passion for protecting the planet and the people within the fragrance industry truly shine through in this episode.We'll also explore Christopher's embarrassing fashion moment, discuss trending comfort scents, and delve into the global fragrance market's predicted growth. Plus, we have the latest in fashion news, from Gucci's cruise 2025 show at the Tate Modern to the excitement surrounding the opening of Dover Street Market in Paris.And as always, we have our Just A Fashion Minute News Round Up to keep you updated on the latest happenings in the fashion world.Don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcasting app to catch all our episodes and stay connected with the world of fashion. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the fascinating world of fashion and fragrance with Christopher Yu.Timestamps & Topics00:00:01 Introduction and overview of the episodeJust A Fashion Minute News Round-up and overview of the podcast episode topics.00:06:01 Early interest in fragranceChristopher Yu shares how he became interested in fragrance from a young age, including anecdotes about playing in duty-free shops as a child.00:07:07 Fragrance memory triggersDiscussion on how certain smells can trigger nostalgic memories, like the smell of steamed rice reminding Chris of his childhood home.00:07:57 Career influencesChris credits influential people like Laurent Delafon and Olivier Polge who helped shape his fragrance career early on.00:09:19 Bringing Diptyque to UKIntroducing the Diptyque fragrance brand to the UK market in the late 1990s.00:10:04 Fashion/fragrance connectionExploring the connection between fashion and fragrance as projections of one's self and personal style.00:11:46 Defining fashionChristopher Hu provides his definition of fashion as an expression reflecting a point in time.00:13:38 Sustainability in fragranceIn-depth discussion on sustainability practices in the fragrance industry and Chris's perspective on what true sustainability means.00:18:57 Price variations in fragranceExplanation for why there are significant price variations between different fragrance brands.00:20:14 Describing smellsTips on how to better describe and articulate different smells beyond basic vocabulary.00:22:48 Fragrance trendsDiscussion on current fragrance trends like scents reminiscent of Play-Doh, lipstick and hemp as consumers seek out comforting smells post-pandemic.00:24:41 Growth of global fragrance marketExploring what is driving the projected growth of the global fragrance market in the coming years.00:26:54 Creating Ostens fragrancesThe years-long process Chris went through in creating and developing his own Ostens fragrance brand.00:31:11 Meaning behind wearing fragranceWhether people wear fragrance just to smell good or if there are deeper meanings and emotional reasons behind it.00:32:23 Ostens brand purposeChris shares the driving purpose behind his Ostens brand: to spotlight talented creators in the industry.00:33:09 Redefining fragranceHow Chris believes the fragrance industry should be redefined, valuing creators and respecting the product.00:33:30 Quickfire questionsRapid-fire questions about fashion/fragrance topics.00:39:01 Closing remarksClosing thoughts and appreciation for you, the listeners, as the podcast season wraps up.Guest...

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  40:16
• The Alchemy of Fashion & Style with Harris Elliott

  Hey there, fashion enthusiasts! Welcome back to Just A Fashion Minute, I'm your host, David M. Watts. In this week's episode, we have the incredibly talented stylist and designer, Harris Elliott, joining us for a captivating discussion on the impact of AI in the fashion industry, the unique challenges faced by stylists, and the power of fashion as a form of identity.Harris shares insightful experiences from his impressive career, including working with high-profile clients such as Gorillaz & Pharrell, and his involvement in thought-provoking exhibitions such as "The Missing Thread" at Somerset House. We dive into the world of fashion styling, the essence of fashion as a means of expression, and the fascinating alchemy of styling that combines various elements to create visually impactful looks.We also discuss Tokyo Rakuten Fashion Week, the significant early influences on Harris's career, and much more. As always, we have our Just A Fashion Minute News Roundup, bringing you the latest updates from the exciting world of fashion.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcasting app to stay up-to-date with our latest fashion discussions and interviews. Let's dive into the world of fashion with Harris Elliott!Timestamps & Topics00:00:01 - Intro and BackgroundIntroduction to the podcast "Just A Fashion Minute" and overview of the topic of fashion styling.00:05:51 - Tokyo Fashion WeekHarris shares his thoughts on Tokyo Fashion Week restarting with international buyers and the press, which he sees as good news for Japanese fashion.00:07:08 - Dries Van Noten SuccessionDiscussion of Belgian designer Dries Van Noten stepping down and the succession plans for his brand.00:09:39 - Early Fashion InfluencesHarris Elliott shares his earliest memories and influences that sparked his interest in fashion, including shop window displays and military regalia.00:11:11 - Career Start with Judy BlameHow Harris got his start in fashion by cold-calling stylist Judy Blame, who gave him opportunities that launched his styling career.00:13:15 - Defining Fashion as IdentityHarris defines fashion as identity, relating to attitude, stance, cultural context and self-expression.00:17:56 - Working with Japanese ClientsHarris explains why he loves working with Japanese clients, who have a deep understanding and respect for his creative role.00:22:07 - Styling ExamplesHarris provides examples of his styling work, including projects with Gorillaz putting the band in head-to-toe pink looks, and styling Pharrell Williams.00:25:22 - Challenges with BrandsHarris describes some of the challenges and mistreatment stylists can face from brands that don't understand or value their role properly.00:28:09 - AI Already ExistingHarris points out that AI technology for styling is already being used, like virtual fitting rooms, and will continue advancing.00:30:46 - "The Missing Thread" ExhibitionDiscussion of the concept and creation of the groundbreaking exhibition "The Missing Thread" at Somerset House, spotlighting underrepresented Black British fashion designers.00:35:00 - Being a Black Male StylistHarris discusses his perspective as a Black male stylist and how he has moved the needle on perception of stylists in the industry.00:36:59 - AI Impact on StylingExploring how artificial intelligence is already impacting and may continue to transform the role of the fashion stylist.00:39:12 - AI PerspectivesHarris and David discuss their perspectives on the AI revolution in fashion, seeing it as both necessary but needing to be carefully monitored.00:42:42 - Quick Fire QuestionsRapid fire questions included an embarrassing fashion moment, Harris' favourite store, an unsung hero shoutout, and...

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  49:04
• Redefining Athletes' Impact on Fashion Worlds with Kenny Annan-Jonathan

  Hello, fashion enthusiasts! I'm David M. Watts, your host for Just A Fashion Minute, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to this week's episode featuring the insightful Kenny Annan-Jonathan. We have an engaging conversation lined up, discussing the intersection of sports and fashion, the impact of influential figures in these industries, and the evolving nature of luxury and consumer awareness.Kenny shares intriguing insights about professional athletes venturing into fashion as a post-sports career revenue stream, the challenges they face, and the growing awareness of overconsumption. We delve into the influence of sports personalities, including their off-field endeavours and their involvement in the fashion industry. Kenny also sheds light on the importance of personal values and ethical considerations in the fashion industry, drawing from his experience as a black entrepreneur and founder of The Mail Room sports marketing agency.As always, we have our Just A Fashion Minute News Round Up, bringing you the latest updates on fashion and retail trends, including the debuts, expansions, challenges, and evolutions in the industry.Don't forget to subscribe on your podcasting app of choice to stay updated on all our future episodes. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of fashion and its intersection with various spheres of influence.Timestamps & Topics00:01 - IntroductionJust A Fashion Minute News Roundup and Welcome Kenny Annan-Jonathan.04:03 - Nike's Challenges & InnovationDiscussion on Nike's recent struggles with innovation and connecting with cultural trends/collaborators.07:19 - Kenny's Background in FashionKenny shares how his older sister's musical interests and style influenced his early exposure to fashion. He also talks about starting his own streetwear brand.13:33 - Mentorship from Darren SkeyKenny highlights how Darren Skey, formerly of Harvey Nichols, provided crucial mentorship early on regarding the business side of fashion.16:13 - Defining FashionKenny defines fashion as an outward expression of inner feelings.17:10 - Sports & Fashion RelationshipThe growing relationship between sports, especially football/soccer, and the fashion industry is discussed.20:02 - Nike's Nigeria Kit ImpactAnalysis of the cultural significance behind the viral success of Nike's Nigeria kit compared to England's.24:21 - Addressing Racism in SportsKenny discusses if he has faced any racism while working in sports/fashion and how representation matters.26:43 - David Beckham's Fashion StatementsDavid Beckham is cited as an athlete who used fashion to make bold statements and be expressive.28:45 - Non-Traditional Sports & FashionKenny highlights how non-traditional sports like the Paralympics, boxing, and skateboarding are embracing fashion collaborations.33:25 - Athletes Pursuing Fashion Post-CareerThe trend of professional athletes pursuing fashion as a revenue stream after retiring from sports.36:02 - Risks of Working with Athlete BrandsDiscussion on the potential risks brands face when working with athlete endorsers who may misbehave.37:52 - Being a Black Founder in Sports MarketingKenny shares his experience as a black man and founder of a sports marketing agency navigating the industry.40:48 - Advice for NewcomersContext: Kenny's advice for newcomers trying to make it in the sports/fashion industries.42:12 - Quick Fire QuestionsQuick fire questions on embarrassing fashion moments, favourite stores, unsung heroes, and his outfit that day.Guest BioKenny Annan-Jonathan is a pioneering figure in the intersection of sports and fashion, currently serving as the first-ever creative director for the English Premier League football club, Crystal...

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