Industry news Find out about all the latest from the fashion accessories industry in our regular news roundup CAPRICE TO BEGIN PRODUCTION AT SRI LANKAN FACTORY Pirmasens-based shoe manufacturer Caprice is strengthening its commitment in South Asia and will be producing shoes from a production site based in Sri Lanka. As early as April 2022, Caprice’s leather shoes for the coming autumn/ winter season will be running on the production lines of the shoe factory in Colombo, which is operated jointly with the Pakistani SGF Ltd. Jürgen Cölsch, Managing Director of Caprice, says, “We have been working very trustfully and successfully with our Pakistani partner for over 20 years. The shoe factory in Sri Lanka, which will be integrated into already existing organisational structures, can use synergy effects of both partners and is to be expanded successively in the coming years.” The island state of Sri Lanka has benefited from improved market access to the EU within the framework of the Generalised System of Preferences towards Developing Countries (GSP+) since May, 2017. Jürgen says, “We are participating organisationally, technically and financially in the expansion and modernisation of the already existing production facility, whose employees are trained professionals who already have many years of experience in the production of shoes made of fine leathers. The factory is in an ideal location for us. It takes only one hour to transport our shoes to the Port of Colombo, one of the busiest and largest container ports in the world, and from there they have a relatively short journey through the Suez Canal to Europe, which is about half the time of transport from ports in the Far East. In addition, the trade agreement with the direct neighbour India gives us free and fast access to the most important procurement market for leather. The production in Sri Lanka will give us and our customers more flexibility, quality and faster deliveries.” Visit www.caprice.de ONLINE FASHION BRAND THE FASHION BIBLE OPENS FIRST BRICKS AND MORTAR STORE Online fashion store The Fashion Bible has opened its first bricks and mortar store in Sunderland. Lisa Fox, founder and owner of The Fashion Bible, is hoping the new store will be the first stage in the company’s UK expansion plans. Set up from an initial £90 investment 10 years ago, The Fashion Bible now sells clothes worldwide. Lisa said, “It was just the right time to do this. And because I’m from Sunderland I always wanted our first flagship store to be in my hometown. “We have already had a high street presence because we did manage to launch into four Topshop stores and were hoping to get into more before the chain sadly closed down.” The new store will create four new jobs, and is located opposite River Island. Lisa aims to design and manufacture their own brands in the future, which will be sold online and in store. Visit www.thefashionbible.co.uk VENDULA LONDON LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE QUEEN COLLECTION Vendula London has launched its exclusive Queen collection, which celebrates 50 years of the British band. Launched in 2003, Vendula London has developed a cult following, named the Vendulettes, with the design team looking to create a range that would speak to their loyal consumers as well as develop something for Queen fans. The design team says, “We quickly realised that we are all huge Queen fans here at Vendula Towers and really any excuse to play Bohemian Rhapsody was welcomed. Diving in and immersing ourselves in the archives and memorabilia of the band was very inspiring and of course we couldn’t help but design a bag for each band member!” According to a press release, Vendula London wants to design fun bags for everyone and designing its novelty shapes for the Queen range was great fun. However, the team knows that not everyone wants their handbag in novelty form, so they wanted to also design a creation for someone more understated. The iconic Queen X Vendula bags are priced from £65 to £150 and are available now. Vendula London offers free shipping on orders over £50. Visit www.vendulalondon.com 148
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