Two London College of Fashion academics – both former editors of fashion industry bible Drapers – feature in the up-coming book that celebrates the famous title’s 130th anniversary. Josephine Collins of BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism, and Sally Bain from BSc (Hons) Fashion Management, attended a meeting in July when all of the magazine’s – living – editors joined current editor Keely Stocker for a photoshoot for the book.
LCF’s Josephine Collins and Sally Bain, with current Drapers Editor Keeley Stocker
We spoke to Josephine and Sally about their time at Drapers. Josephine told us that “leading a heritage media brand means that you have to value the past, at the same time as pushing into the future.” She went on to say that Drapers is about the real fashion industry – “the gritty reality rather than the glossy fluff, the changing commercial landscape rather than the museum pieces. Editing was a serious business, but enormous fun”.
About her time at Drapers, Sally told us about her transition from fashion editor to editor of the magazine, “becoming editor was a great opportunity to push the fashion agenda, raising our coverage and profile. We also expanded into new areas such as property, and lobbied Parliament about business leases. Perhaps the greatest achievement and legacy was launching the Independent Retailer of the Year Awards. Overall – I had a fantastic four years!”
Drapers editor Keely Stocker says of the anniversary:
From the introduction of Sunday trading, the swings between off-shore and UK manufacturing, and continual product development, to the start of the digital era and ever-changing consumer habits, this innovative and dynamic industry has undergone many changes over the years.
But what remains throughout is the creativity and passion of those that work within it.
As Drapers celebrates this milestone anniversary, it is a time to reflect on its history and the defining moments that have fundamentally changed the industry – and also to look to the future and the innovations that the future may bring.
Drapers will be launching the coffee table book to celebrate the anniversary in October. Highlights include some of the most iconic moments that have been covered in Drapers over the last 130 years. It also takes a look at some of the most successful British brands and how they have continued to reinvent themselves to stay relevant to the customer in an ever competitive marketplace.