A first for the British Beauty Industry – preparing the business leaders of the future

The UK health and beauty industry is a buoyant and dynamic sector and is estimated to be was estimated to be worth £18,512m and despite the continued economic woes, shows no signs of slowing down.

An area that is currently massively underexploited and that is set to show explosive growth is the ethnic beauty market.

Why will this is this the case?

·         The UK population is projected to undergo major shifts in the composition of the ethnic proportions, which will grow extensively over the next 10 – 25 years.  Between 2001-2035 the White British population is projected to grow by 4% , by contrast peoples of a mixed heritage will grow by up to 241%, the Asian population group will grow by up to153%  and the Black African group will grow by 179%. .[ii]

·         As these population groups grow, they are also becoming wealthier.[iii]  The so called ‘brown pound’ will have increasing influence.

·         According to Mintel, in 2006  sales of ethnic beauty products accounted for only 1% of the UK’s beauty value sales, despite the fact that the ethnic demographic accounted for 12% of the population at that time.[iv]

·         Black British women spend on average six times more than their white counterparts on their hair, and more than half regularly visit a salon. Mintel market researchers found that while the average Caucasian woman spends £83.97 a year on beauty products, black women spend £117.44 - and that doesn't include trips to the hairdresser or spending on mainstream products not specific to Afro hair.[v]

So, what has been hampering the growth of this extremely exciting segment of the market?

Mintel identified that market growth for the woman of colour was hampered by:

·         limited availability of ethnic brands on the high street

·         The mainstream retailers’ reluctance to become involved in ethnic cosmetic and toiletries

·         Lack of advertising (in mainstream press) which is read/consumed by many women of colour

 Natalie Clue – a Marketing Consultant specialising in beauty for the woman of colour , who has worked with leading brands such as  Estee Lauder, Dermalogica and Kao Brand-John Frieda, and who is the author of  a leading  blog for the British woman of colour, BeautyPulseLondon, states ‘that a lack of representation of women of colour in the beauty industry is also an issue’.  She strongly believes that women of colour need to be present, because only we can articulate and express our needs in a way that can then be adequately addressed.

Thus she created an organisation, Keziah Connections which was launched earlier this month.

“The mission of the organisation is simple” states  Natalie, ‘it is here to facilitate and encourage the empowerment and progression of women of colour within the mainstream British Beauty Industry, by bringing leading and up and coming beauty professionals together with women who want to be educated and mentored.

The first event called the Nurture and Network™ Evening, will takes place at the sumptuous BECCA Boutique, in the heart of Chelsea, on the 24^th July 2012.

Natalie values productive partnerships and was so happy that the premium cosmetic brand BECCA agreed to be the lead partner for the first event.  “BECCA is the perfect partner, as it a brand that has a range of products that are suitable for women of all skin tones. I am keen to connect brands that I know offer the products that the woman of colour desires, with the end consumer!

The topic and speakers on the evening are:

·         Winning in the Digital Space – Award winning blogger, Hafsa Issa-Salwe (Muslimah Beauty)

·         Sweet Success! – Creating a new product – Karamal and Brown’s founder Cheryl Effiom

·         Getting into the Marketing Mix – Lara Odusanya, Marketing & Communications Coordinator – BECCA

The Nurture and Network™ Evening will take place on the 24th July 2012, at the BECCA Boutique, BECCA London, 91A Pelham Street, London, SW7 2NJ.  6.30pm – 9.15 pm

I am offering my wonderful readers a £10 discount, all you have to do is enter the code Keziah2472012 when purchasing the ticket.

Visit http://keziahconnections.com/  to book your ticket

Look forward to seeing you there

xx

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[i] Verdict: Retail Futures – UK Health and Beauty H2 2011, Oct 2011

[ii] Ethnic population projections for the UK and Local Areas, 2001-2051, P.Rees, University of Leeds, 2010

[iii] Ethnic population projections for the UK and Local Areas, 2001-2051, P.Rees, University of Leeds, 2010

[iv] Ethnic Beauty – UK – Mintel, 2007

[v] As quoted in the Guardian, 19^th August 2005

UK’s leading support organisation for women in business present ‘An Evening with Secret Millionaire Caroline Marsh’

UK’s leading support organisation for women in business present ‘An Evening with Secret Millionaire Caroline Marsh’

At Embassy, Mayfair

29. Old Burlington Street
Mayfair London W1S 3AN

Thursday July 5th

6.30pm-9pm

Limited tickets are available here; http://www.forwardladies.com/networking-events-london/an-evening-with-secret-millionaire-caroline-marsh-2220

Following the launch of Forward Ladies, the North of England’s largest women’s business support organisation with more than 13, 500 members in London in March 2012, the group invite members and non members to An Evening with Secret Millionaire Caroline Marsh, at the sumptuous Embassy, Mayfair.

Caroline Marsh is one of Britain’s leading female property investors and an inspiration to many. In Autumn 2008 the entrepreneur was catapulted into the media limelight, when she was featured on prime-time Channel 4 television as a philanthropic 'Secret Millionaire.'

Caroline’s own journey towards financial freedom was kick-started by a multi-millionaire property investor and serial entrepreneur who she heard speak at a business conference and was so inspired, that she set her sights on having him as her personal mentor. 

Within six months, Caroline was given a privileged invitation to join Platinum Property Partners and her life was changed forever. Caroline will share tales of her Secret Millionaire journey, property investing and how adjusting your mindset can lead to success. 

Forward Ladies (www.Forwardladies.com) was founded in 2000 in an effort to support and empower all women in business - from long established independent business women and micro businesses, to high ranking decision makers at international corporate organisations and business women with 7 figure turn-overs.

Etta Cohen, founder of Forward ladies said; “We are delighted that Jessica Huie has joined us to oversee the London franchise, and are confident that this latest offering ‘An Evening with Secret Millionaire Caroline Marsh ’ will be as well received as the previous Max Clifford event.”

For further information and interview requests and press tickets contact Jessica Huie Jessica@jhpr.co.uk 07985 424 772

The Caribbean’s leading fashion names to showcase exceptional collections at London Fashion Week

Caribbean Collections Showcase
'In honour of Fashion and musical icon Grace Jones’ LONDON FASHION WEEK
17th-18th February 2012

This season will celebrate the London Fashion Week debut of the Caribbean Collections exhibition, showcasing a selection of exceptional handpicked designers from fifteen islands across the Caribbean. The exhibition will feature collections from designers who have been influenced by a mixture of African, British, French and Spanish cultures and will culminate in a private dinner with leading Caribbean Supermodels Jeneil Williams and Jaunel McKenzie.

The exhibition honours some of the Caribbean's most exceptional designers who have made great contributions to the fashion world. The diverse range of designs includes the classic cuts of Drenna Luna and Julan (Jamaica) to the avant-garde style of Posh Punk (Barbados) and the resort appeal of KAJ (Trinidad and Tobago).

Caribbean Collections also highlights designers who paved the way during the evolution of a regional design aesthetic including Meiling (Trinidad and Tobago) and Jenny Polanco (Dominican Republic). Jewellery from Peace-Is of Bianca (Jamaica) and handbags from Veve (Haiti) complete the showrooms collection.

2012 marks a significant year in Caribbean history as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago celebrate their Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of Independence. Caribbean Collections is proudly set against a rich backdrop of the region’s ancestry and culture.


Chairman of the Caribbean Fashion Industry Association, Kingsley Cooper said, “This exhibition is really about showing the fashion industry that we have design talent to compete in a global arena. The contribution which the islands can make to fashion has gone under the world’s fashion radar for too long. We are delighted to be a part of London Fashion Week and as organizers of Caribbean Fashion week, we see this as a big step for Caribbean fashion, as we continue to develop our industry and position our designers to take their place on the world stage – our time is now.”

The Caribbean Collections exhibition is endorsed by some of the world’s most beautiful women, all hailing from the islands. Jeneil Williams who followed Kate Moss on the cover of LOVE and I-D magazines, adorned the cover of Italian Vogue and has fronted campaigns for Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin and Louis Vuitton, will join former Victoria Secrets model Nell
Robinson and her fellow Jamaican supermodel and American Vogue favourite Jaunel McKenzie in supporting the collection.

Above pic: Jeneil Williams with Karl Lagerfeld

The fashion showcase will take place at the Cosmopolitan Charing Cross Hotel’s Regency suite on 17th-18th February 2012, from 10am to 5pm.

For more info visit http://caribbeancollections.wordpress.com/

Rihanna is searching for Britain’s most exciting new Fashion designers!

Rihanna is searching Britain for the next generation of raw, undiscovered designer talent and has hand-picked Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts to head up the challenge for her.

Over eight weeks twelve unknown designers will be challenged by Rihanna and Nicola to create outfits for a string of musicians and celebrities. The show will celebrate the extraordinary talent and creativity in the British fashion scene. With Rihanna, a fashion icon herself, and Nicola, who created her own Dainty Doll make-up range, at the helm, the show will recognise the increasing influence popstars have on mainstream trends.

The final challenge and ultimate task for the winner will be to design a unique stage outfit for Rihanna’s Wireless performance in Hyde Park in July 2012. The chance to dress one of the world’s most famous women for an event that will attract worldwide coverage is the perfect springboard for the aspiring designer’s future fashion career.


Executive producer, Rihanna said:

“I’ve always had a great love of fashion. It’s a constant source of inspiration in my life, and is a big reason why I’ve grown into the person and artist I am today. I have been very fortunate to work with some truly amazing designers and stylists throughout my career, and they have been instrumental in making sure my creative vision reaches the stage. I am excited to follow the journey of our aspiring contestants and see how their individuality influences their efforts during the course of the show.”

Nicola added: “I’m so excited for us to get started on finding a new up and coming British designer who just needs a chance, a little bit of help in getting their skills noticed. There are talented people, undiscovered because they don’t have the means, or their circumstances are too far away from the fashion world. This show is here to discover those people and give them a shot. I’m looking for someone who can think outside the box, and who isn’t going to give up at the first hurdle”

To take part visit www.skyliving.com or e-mail applications@twentytwenty.tv

Applications must be received by Sunday 5th February. Filming takes place over 8 weeks in the UK from April 2012.

Malgorzata Dudek: Simply a magnificent work of Art!

So last season during London Fashion Week I got to work with the Amazing Polish designer Malgorzata Dudek whose creations just simply blew everyone away! Dubbed as the new Alexander McQueen, I just had to share with you some of her extradinary pieces below :)

Let me know your what you think guys!

xx





Lookbook: Malgorzata Dudek
Season: Spring Summer 2012
Model: Katarzyna Nawrocka |Gaga Models|
Hair: Margo Wegierek
Makeup: Patricia Bontscheff
Stylist: Jadwiga Pokryszka
Set Design: Uli Gajsa
Photographer: Christoph Musiol
Website: www.malgorzatadudek.com