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!

00:00 - Introduction and Just A Fashion Minute News Round Up

05:46 - 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.

Peter 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...

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.

00:00:01 Introduction and overview of the episode

Just A Fashion Minute News Round-up and overview of the podcast episode topics.

00:06:01 Early interest in fragrance

Christopher 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 triggers

Discussion on how certain smells can trigger nostalgic memories, like the smell of steamed rice reminding Chris of his childhood home.

00:07:57 Career influences

Chris credits influential people like Laurent Delafon and Olivier Polge who helped shape his fragrance career early on.

00:09:19 Bringing Diptyque to UK

Introducing the Diptyque fragrance brand to the UK market in the late 1990s.

00:10:04 Fashion/fragrance connection

Exploring the connection between fashion and fragrance as projections of one's self and personal style.

00:11:46 Defining fashion

Christopher Hu provides his definition of fashion as an expression reflecting a point in time.

00:13:38 Sustainability in fragrance

In-depth discussion on sustainability practices in the fragrance industry and Chris's perspective on what true sustainability means.

00:18:57 Price variations in fragrance

Explanation for why there are significant price variations between different fragrance brands.

00:20:14 Describing smells

Tips on how to better describe and articulate different smells beyond basic vocabulary.

00:22:48 Fragrance trends

Discussion 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 market

Exploring what is driving the projected growth of the global fragrance market in the coming years.

00:26:54 Creating Ostens fragrances

The years-long process Chris went through in creating and developing his own Ostens fragrance brand.

00:31:11 Meaning behind wearing fragrance

Whether people wear fragrance just to smell good or if there are deeper meanings and emotional reasons behind it.

00:32:23 Ostens brand purpose

Chris shares the driving purpose behind his Ostens brand: to spotlight talented creators in the industry.

00:33:09 Redefining fragrance

How Chris believes the fragrance industry should be redefined, valuing creators and respecting the product.

00:33:30 Quickfire questions

Rapid-fire questions about fashion/fragrance topics.

00:39:01 Closing remarks

Closing thoughts and appreciation for you, the listeners, as the podcast season wraps up.

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!

00:00:01 - Intro and Background

Introduction to the podcast "Just A Fashion Minute" and overview of the topic of fashion styling.

00:05:51 - Tokyo Fashion Week

Harris 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 Succession

Discussion of Belgian designer Dries Van Noten stepping down and the succession plans for his brand.

00:09:39 - Early Fashion Influences

Harris 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 Blame

How 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 Identity

Harris defines fashion as identity, relating to attitude, stance, cultural context and self-expression.

00:17:56 - Working with Japanese Clients

Harris explains why he loves working with Japanese clients, who have a deep understanding and respect for his creative role.

00:22:07 - Styling Examples

Harris 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 Brands

Harris 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 Existing

Harris 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" Exhibition

Discussion 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 Stylist

Harris 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 Styling

Exploring how artificial intelligence is already impacting and may continue to transform the role of the fashion stylist.

00:39:12 - AI Perspectives

Harris 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 Questions

Rapid fire questions included an embarrassing fashion moment, Harris' favourite store, an unsung hero shoutout, and...