Since selling his ghetto fabulous handbags on London's Notting Hill Portobello Market, Paul Slade has built a womenswear and accessories brand now stocked in some of the nation's prime retailers. MFN caught up with the man behind Paul's Boutique at BANK in Manchester Trafford Centre where the designer was meeting some of his top customers and giving them the chance to take home customised merchandise from Paul himself!

MFN: Why did you choose to host the customisation event in BANK Manchester Trafford Centre, does Paul’s Boutique value Manchester Trafford Centre as a significant location for stockists?

PS: Yes, sales for BANK Trafford Centre are the best in the whole group so that is why we chose it. We have our biggest audience here at BANK Trafford Centre.

 

MFN: Paul’s Boutique stock in both Selfridges and BANK in Manchester Trafford Centre, does the company recognise a difference between the two types of clientele despite them being under one roof?

PS: The girls in Selfridges are slightly higher end, although the same age, just a different demographic.

MFN: In terms of the Paul’s Boutique retail strategy, how does stocking a high street retailer compare to one within a Shopping centre like Manchester Trafford?

PS: All stores stock pretty much the same key stock.

 

MFN: Paul’s Boutique is famous for not following the usual trend but instead creating its own. What key looks, fabrics and colours will the brand be using for Autumn/Winter 2010?

PS: We’ll interpret current looks and trends and make it our own style using colours, prints and graphics.

MFN: On the Paul’s Boutique blog features postings regarding celebrities wearing Paul’s Boutique products. How important is product placement to the Paul’s Boutique marketing strategy?

PS: It wasn’t but I think we were pretty naive, we soon realised that product placement is key so we’re going to be quite strong in that market in sending out product to celebrities. You’ve got to choose the right ones really.

 

Interview and images by Jordan McDowell.

 

If you liked this article, you may also like What's Happening in Manchester City Centre?

Let us know what you think about this article by joining us on Twitter, direct your tweets to @TheFashionNetUK

 

Recent comments...

You must be registered and logged in to post a comment.

All comments submitted on this page do not express the views of MFN, we will endeavor to remove any offensive, rude, defamatory comments.