Kiyan Foroughi2013-05-21T20:36:46-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.mydaily.co.uk/author/index.php?author=kiyan-foroughiCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Kiyan ForoughiGood old fashioned elbow grease.Cheap Products Aren't Worth Dying Fortag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32008262013-05-02T10:08:59-04:002013-05-02T10:29:49-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/
The factory supplied goods to a number of fast fashion retailers, including Primark, J.C. Penney and allegedly, Wal-Mart. And where is the outrage? Where are the crowds of protesters lobbying for better oversight of apparel production? Apparently, we can sacrifice a few human lives for a cheap pair of sunglasses.
This is hardly the first time we've heard of such grave conditions at a fast fashion factory. It's time we break our addiction to cheap, throwaway styles and invest in certified Fair Trade organizations and independent designers and brands that are committed to maintaining a clean supply chain.
In the age of the Internet, it is easier than ever to find independent and Fair Trade brands to support. We have an array of shopping options at our fingertips - take People Tree, for example, a retailer that works closely with fifty Fair Trade organizations and producers around the globe to maintain a socially and environmentally sound supply chain (it also counts Sienna Miller, Emma Watson and Jude Law among its celebrity fans).
Spanish accessory brand LACAMBRA's products have garnered praise from Cool Hunting and WIRED's Gadget Lab, but they also deserve praise for their clean supply chain. Founders and designers Cristina Alvarez Lacambra and Ruben Gomez are committed to producing entirely in Spain and work closely with experienced leather craftsmen there. Cristina and Ruben have only high praise for these artisans, whom they visit a few times a week.
I also admire the work of a wonderful organisation called TRAID, which among other projects, funds campaigns to improve worker's rights and factory safety in Bangladesh and China. TRAID's collaboration with women's trade union SEWA resulted in the establishment of Embroidery Centres that help women connect directly with suppliers to Western high street shops instead of finding work through middlemen, doubling the incomes of participating women.
Of course, this is exactly why my co-founder and I were inspired to launch Boticca, a curated marketplace selling jewellery, bags and accessories by independent designers and brands all over the world. We vet our designers before they come on board to ensure that all designers and brands are small and independent. We value the creativity and skill of our designers and artisans and believe they should receive adequate compensation for their wonderful work. That's why we charge only a 30-35% commission on the retail price of goods sold through us as opposed to the 50-70% our brands and suppliers are used to elsewhere.
If our independent designers are able to earn a living producing creative, high-quality items in safe work environments, bigger companies with huge profit margins should be able to do so, too. But they've proven again and again that they just aren't interested in changing, no matter how many lives are lost to their practices. The only way to ensure you support safe and fair labour practices is to champion Fair Trade and independent brands. I make sure I support these brands - won't you join me?]]>Cheap Products Aren't Worth Dying Fortag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32073392013-05-02T10:08:59-04:002013-05-03T07:34:15-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/
The factory supplied goods to a number of fast fashion retailers, including Primark, J.C. Penney and allegedly, Wal-Mart. And where is the outrage? Where are the crowds of protesters lobbying for better oversight of apparel production? Apparently, we can sacrifice a few human lives for a cheap pair of sunglasses.
This is hardly the first time we've heard of such grave conditions at a fast fashion factory. It's time we break our addiction to cheap, throwaway styles and invest in certified Fair Trade organizations and independent designers and brands that are committed to maintaining a clean supply chain.
In the age of the Internet, it is easier than ever to find independent and Fair Trade brands to support. We have an array of shopping options at our fingertips - take People Tree, for example, a retailer that works closely with fifty Fair Trade organizations and producers around the globe to maintain a socially and environmentally sound supply chain (it also counts Sienna Miller, Emma Watson and Jude Law among its celebrity fans).
Spanish accessory brand LACAMBRA's products have garnered praise from Cool Hunting and WIRED's Gadget Lab, but they also deserve praise for their clean supply chain. Founders and designers Cristina Alvarez Lacambra and Ruben Gomez are committed to producing entirely in Spain and work closely with experienced leather craftsmen there. Cristina and Ruben have only high praise for these artisans, whom they visit a few times a week.
I also admire the work of a wonderful organisation called TRAID, which among other projects, funds campaigns to improve worker's rights and factory safety in Bangladesh and China. TRAID's collaboration with women's trade union SEWA resulted in the establishment of Embroidery Centres that help women connect directly with suppliers to Western high street shops instead of finding work through middlemen, doubling the incomes of participating women.
Of course, this is exactly why my co-founder and I were inspired to launch Boticca, a curated marketplace selling jewellery, bags and accessories by independent designers and brands all over the world. We vet our designers before they come on board to ensure that all designers and brands are small and independent. We value the creativity and skill of our designers and artisans and believe they should receive adequate compensation for their wonderful work. That's why we charge only a 30-35% commission on the retail price of goods sold through us as opposed to the 50-70% our brands and suppliers are used to elsewhere.
If our independent designers are able to earn a living producing creative, high-quality items in safe work environments, bigger companies with huge profit margins should be able to do so, too. But they've proven again and again that they just aren't interested in changing, no matter how many lives are lost to their practices. The only way to ensure you support safe and fair labour practices is to champion Fair Trade and independent brands. I make sure I support these brands - won't you join me?]]>If Your Website Is Not Built in Responsive Design, What Are You Waiting For?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30453402013-04-09T11:58:33-04:002013-04-10T08:36:30-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/only 1 out of the top 20 UK online retailers uses responsive design. To my shock and dismay, the only one using this development method is... Currys. 14 of those retailers have mobile sites but that means they need to develop (and maintain) a separate codebase for each version which is very inefficient from a resources and cost perspective. At Boticca, we've been doing this for months now and have seen some very positive results - I will share some numbers below.
For those of you who don't know, responsive design is a way of designing and coding websites with a fluid layout, so that images and other elements of the site adapt to the screen on which the site is being viewed. To test if a site is built in responsive design, just adjust the size of your browser window to different sizes and see if the layout adjusts accordingly (it seems almost "elastic").
We launched our website in responsive design back in September - below, see screenshots of the same homepage on different devices - before it become the hot topic and were the first global fashion website to do so. Since introducing responsive design, mobile traffic (which includes tablets) has more than doubled in absolute numbers and now accounts for over 30% of our traffic and 25% of our sales, up from 20% and 15% respectively in September.
However, on the flip side, we initially noticed that mobile conversion rates were 40% lower than desktop conversions and the average order value was 10% lower than our site average (£110) - probably because users still prefer using desktops for higher priced purchases such as ladies handbags.
To address this, in the past couple of weeks, we streamlined our checkout on mobile (which is currently the key thing standing in the way of mobile purchases) to make the process faster, with less clicks to buy, and have seen a 25% increase in conversion rates as well as a 12% increase in the average order value. We expect these numbers to increase even further when we introduce one-click buy.
Think mobile-first. Think efficiency. Think responsive.]]>Common Traits of Successful Fashion Designerstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28530052013-03-11T19:04:12-04:002013-05-11T05:12:01-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/
Most newcomers launch with the hopes of becoming the next Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford or Christopher Kane and why wouldn't they? (Well, actually more on that in my last point below) But just like start-ups or business ideas, most fail unfortunately. So what are the common traits of those who succeed? What do they have that others don't?
They are driven by a story. Whether it is in the inspiration of their collection, their brand, the materials they source, the techniques they use or even in their own background, there is a story somewhere. This story becomes the driving force and the DNA of their creativity and their designs. It's what sets them apart in a world full of noise.
They are aware of trends but are not driven by them. Successful up-and-coming designers don't disregard trends completely. They are aware of what colours and what themes will be popular next season. They may even incorporate some of these trends into their designs so that the average Joe (or Jane?) can be accessible to them. But they don't create based on them. They have a story to tell and they're going to tell it. And the very best, well... they set the trends.
They envisage the person who will wear their work. Just as every painting needs a canvas, every style needs a model. The best designers design with someone in mind. Most actually picture who that person is, what they do for work, where they like to have dinner or even if they are a cat or dog person. This visualisation process allows them to create something that will actually be worn by someone. Because without wearability, it's just art that you'll see on a runway once and never again.
They have attention to detail. This one goes without saying but the most successful designers are maniacs when it comes to detail. From the materials they source, the way they cut their patterns, the ability to spot subtle differences in colour, the concept of the photoshoot for their collection, to the presentation of their lookbook, line sheet or even their packaging, they're on top of it all. Customer satisfaction is also of upmost importance to them.
They surround themselves with the right people. Designers are first and foremost creative types. Business plans, dealing with suppliers, coming up with a marketing campaign, all that stuff can be daunting. That doesn't mean that they cannot be savvy business people but they should be spending the vast majority of their time doing what they do best: designing. The most successful designers surrounded themselves early on with people who could take on the operational, marketing or business aspects of their business. Marc has Robert Duffy. Tom has Domenico De Sole. Matthew Williamson has Joseph Velosa.
They're not in it for recognition. The best fashion designers aren't driven by recognition. They see the world differently than most. And they want to bring that world to reality. Recognition is just a by-product of their artistry, not an end in of itself.]]>Three Things Men Can Learn From Women in the Workplacetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.28066192013-03-05T12:27:18-05:002013-05-05T05:12:01-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/
Here are three things I've picked up from the "other side" that I think all men in any workplace could benefit from:
1) Being self-aware: I think it goes without saying that men tend to overvalue their strengths compared to women (if you don't believe me, you should have a look at our annual self-review forms) and to resist introspection - research by Tony Schwartz on the Harvard Business Review blog confirms this. If one refuses to acknowledge areas of improvement at work, how can one make any progress as a professional? Women, unlike men, don't view it as weakness to assess themselves in order to improve. They've taught me that it doesn't make you any less of a "man" to recognise your weaknesses - in fact, it makes you stronger, personally and professionally.
2) Considering other points of view: Women are simply better listeners than men. It probably stems from the fact that traditionally, women are caregivers and are often more empathic than men. At the office, this translates into being able to aggregate different viewpoints, thus making the final product that much richer because of it. And given that they tend to show more empathy, they are therefore better at motivating others as they are able to pinpoint and activate people's passions - a key skill in order to become a successful manager (which makes the fact that only 20% of all senior management positions are held by women an outrage).
3) Being able to multi-task: Sorry, but this is a no-brainer, guys. Since ancient times, when men only had to go hunting whilst women had to take care of children, tend to the house, watch out for potential threats and all the other activities of daily living, the fairer sex have shown to be better at multi-tasking. How does this translate in the workplace? Whilst we men prefer to work on one project and see it through before moving onto the next, women can work on multiple deliverables at the same time. They are not working simultaneously on several tasks at once, they are just able to put one task on hold whilst they perform the other - and then come back to finish the original task. In a world where to-dos tend to come in from all different directions, this is an important skill.
So gents, learn from your female co-workers, it will only make you that much better as a professional, and a person.
In the meantime, make sure to support International Women's Day this Friday March 8th. You can do so by supporting Women for Women International here and here (100 percent of the profits will go to WfWI).]]>The World's Next Fashion Design Hubstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27259732013-02-21T19:00:00-05:002013-04-23T05:12:01-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/
As someone who makes a living by travelling the world seeking out the latest trends and undiscovered designers, I believe that to find truly innovative fashion design, you need to visit growing cities that are eager to establish themselves on the fashion scene. A few of my favourite destinations include South Korea, Turkey and the Netherlands, where you'll find designers who aren't afraid to take risks and experiment with traditional styles in order to be truly innovative.
Forget 'Gangnam Style', South Korea's rise as a centre for fashion creativity has been in the works for a few years now. The capital city, Seoul, is hurtling towards the future, though the city's Great Palaces are firm reminders of the country's traditional past. Stroll through the buzzing 24-hour Dongdaemun textiles market, where you may run into MY-Q, the K-Pop star who serves as the creative director of flourishing accessory brand Dear Rainbow - their versatile totes and clutches are street-style staples here.
You'll see Western influences on the posh streets of Cheongdam-Dong, home to one of the newest outposts of the beautifully curated 10 Corso Como boutiques. Everywhere you look, you'll find young designers marrying the traditions of their rich culture and heritage with bold, contemporary designs. Established brands such as the Kangnamgu-based Kiok Kang and André Kim are experts at this, along with Seoul's many young up-and-comers. Stop by Sinsa-Dong's DARI Showroom to see Ana Maison's colourful bags and soft scarves and shawls - her patterned silk and wool blend scarves are ideal travelling companions.
Head to the crossroads of Europe and Asia: Turkey's capital Istanbul has been a top trading destination for centuries. Today, Turkey is the world's fourth largest supplier of textiles (you're probably wearing something from Turkey right now). Istanbul hosts a fashion week as eclectic as the country itself, with designers such as Arzu Kaprol delighting the crowds with sculptural leather pieces inspired by traditional Turkish craft.
While you're in town, stop by Selda Okutan's gallery in Beyoğlu and check out her incredible jewellery - each piece is a small, wearable sculpture. Be sure to visit the historic Grand Bazaar, where you can buy anything from carpets and rugs, to textiles, to food, while rubbing elbows with creatives buying their supplies - like the jeweller Toosis, who creates affordable cocktail rings and drop earrings using gemstones sourced from the Bazaar's stone markets.
Just beyond the catwalks of Paris, new designers are carving out spaces for themselves in the small but mighty Netherlands. There may be less established names here, but this is a scrappy country of roughly 17 million people with raw talent in abundance (and not a clog in sight). In Amsterdam, I've been most impressed with Claes Iversen and his use of the iregulat knot - you can see his work for yourself at his Herengracht salon, but don't forget to make an appointment.
After your obligatory visit to the Van Gogh Museum, take an afternoon amble to Hout & Nieuw, where you'll find a stellar selection of antique furniture and home wares, plus Dutch brand O My Bag, known for vintage-look bags and accessories made from eco-friendly leather. Don't forget Rotterdam, either - one of the world's oldest ports, it is home to lots of small streets with lovely boutiques such as LokalHeroz housing the creations of various local artists and designers (my favourites are the quirky Pelliano boys, who create stunning knitted silk ties). Whatever you do, don't underestimate the Dutch's love of fashion.
News of the major fashion weeks will dominate the fashion pages this month, but if you're after something genuinely new, tread a path less travelled and think beyond the catwalks of the Big Four fashion capitals.]]>The World's Next Fashion Design Hubstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27399032013-02-21T19:00:00-05:002013-04-23T05:12:01-04:00Kiyan Foroughihttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kiyan-foroughi/
As someone who makes a living by travelling the world seeking out the latest trends and undiscovered designers, I believe that to find truly innovative fashion design, you need to visit growing cities that are eager to establish themselves on the fashion scene. A few of my favourite destinations include South Korea, Turkey and the Netherlands, where you'll find designers who aren't afraid to take risks and experiment with traditional styles in order to be truly innovative.
Forget 'Gangnam Style', South Korea's rise as a centre for fashion creativity has been in the works for a few years now. The capital city, Seoul, is hurtling towards the future, though the city's Great Palaces are firm reminders of the country's traditional past. Stroll through the buzzing 24-hour Dongdaemun textiles market, where you may run into MY-Q, the K-Pop star who serves as the creative director of flourishing accessory brand Dear Rainbow - their versatile totes and clutches are street-style staples here.
You'll see Western influences on the posh streets of Cheongdam-Dong, home to one of the newest outposts of the beautifully curated 10 Corso Como boutiques. Everywhere you look, you'll find young designers marrying the traditions of their rich culture and heritage with bold, contemporary designs. Established brands such as the Kangnamgu-based Kiok Kang and André Kim are experts at this, along with Seoul's many young up-and-comers. Stop by Sinsa-Dong's DARI Showroom to see Ana Maison's colourful bags and soft scarves and shawls - her patterned silk and wool blend scarves are ideal travelling companions.
Head to the crossroads of Europe and Asia: Turkey's capital Istanbul has been a top trading destination for centuries. Today, Turkey is the world's fourth largest supplier of textiles (you're probably wearing something from Turkey right now). Istanbul hosts a fashion week as eclectic as the country itself, with designers such as Arzu Kaprol delighting the crowds with sculptural leather pieces inspired by traditional Turkish craft.
While you're in town, stop by Selda Okutan's gallery in Beyoğlu and check out her incredible jewellery - each piece is a small, wearable sculpture. Be sure to visit the historic Grand Bazaar, where you can buy anything from carpets and rugs, to textiles, to food, while rubbing elbows with creatives buying their supplies - like the jeweller Toosis, who creates affordable cocktail rings and drop earrings using gemstones sourced from the Bazaar's stone markets.
Just beyond the catwalks of Paris, new designers are carving out spaces for themselves in the small but mighty Netherlands. There may be less established names here, but this is a scrappy country of roughly 17 million people with raw talent in abundance (and not a clog in sight). In Amsterdam, I've been most impressed with Claes Iversen and his use of the iregulat knot - you can see his work for yourself at his Herengracht salon, but don't forget to make an appointment.
After your obligatory visit to the Van Gogh Museum, take an afternoon amble to Hout & Nieuw, where you'll find a stellar selection of antique furniture and home wares, plus Dutch brand O My Bag, known for vintage-look bags and accessories made from eco-friendly leather. Don't forget Rotterdam, either - one of the world's oldest ports, it is home to lots of small streets with lovely boutiques such as LokalHeroz housing the creations of various local artists and designers (my favourites are the quirky Pelliano boys, who create stunning knitted silk ties). Whatever you do, don't underestimate the Dutch's love of fashion.
News of the major fashion weeks will dominate the fashion pages this month, but if you're after something genuinely new, tread a path less travelled and think beyond the catwalks of the Big Four fashion capitals.]]>
