Ann Ann, winner of Profile 4 goes from strength to strength
09-02-2005
Winning the Best Accessory Designer at Profile 4 was a total surprise! It was my first ever show and my business had only just been set up. A few weeks prior to the event, I showed some samples to Red Magazine who immediately placed an order for Red Direct and I just put that down to luck!
Ann Ann collecting her prize at Profile 4
Since Profile 4, I have worked closely with the award’s sponsor Hobbs who placed an order which they will promote through their flagship London store in mid {mosimage}February 2005. They have been totally supportive throughout production. Their PR team took every opportunity to market my bags and got them into Marie Claire and Harpers & Queen.
In September I showed at eye2eye where I not only gained a few more accounts, but also some great press coverage. Drapers featured my bags. I was also short-listed for a one-page feature in an accessories supplement to Guida Alla Creativita. This annual edition is dedicated to new designers worldwide and has been sponsored by LVMH.
With a little recognition behind me, slowly I gained more confidence to approach boutiques buyers to show them my collections. An order is never guaranteed but the outcome is always positive.
Though word of mouth a journalist for an in-flight magazine got to know my handbags and proposed to feature them in the March issue of the Easyjet magazine (This is a step towards crossing over British waters!)
My mentor David Jones informed me of a competition for a free stand at Pure before Christmas. I grabbed this opportunity and was delighted to be selected as 1 of 15 new designers to exhibit at this major UK fashion event on Sunday 13th February.
With the launch of the AW05/6 collection, I hope to build on the progress of this last year and look forward greatly to Profile 5.