Wallis (retailer)

Wallis
Private
Industry Women's Clothing
Fashion
Founded Chapel Market, Islington, London, United Kingdom in 1923
Founder Raphael Nat Wallis
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Key people
 Sir Philip Green
(Chairman)
Products Clothing
Accessories
Shoes
Parent Arcadia Group
Website www.wallis.co.uk

Wallis is a British women's clothing retailer. The brand operates from 134 stores and 126 concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Wallis is a subsidiary of the Arcadia Group and one of the many companies under ownership of Philip Green.

History

The first store was opened by the founder, Raphael Nat Wallis, in Chapel Market, Islington in 1923.[1][2] Known from the start for its coats (sold originally for 19 shillings) and dresses, it had the slogan: 'Comparison invited. Competition defied".[2] By the 1940s, the chain had 25 shops and a turnover of 300,000 a year.[2]

1960s fashion success

From the 1950s, under the leadership of Jeffrey Wallis, son of the founder, the company became known for its selections from Paris – from 1957 this was known as 'pick of Paris', later this became 'Paris Originals' – and produced exact copies of top couture clothes.[3][4] Paying a fee to attend the fashion shows of names such as Courrèges, Chanel and Dior, Wallis buyers were then entitled to reproduce a small number of patterns from each show – in practice, another dozen or so would be recreated from memory.[5] The store's mannequins would wear canvas covers in the run up to a grand unveiling of the latest designs.[5] The copies of Chanel suits created by the store attracted a loyal following among London socialites and working women alike. During the Profumo Affair trial, Christine Keeler wore a different Wallis outfit every day.[4]

From the late 1960s, the focus was on younger British designers – in keeping with Swinging London trends.[3] Wallis had already attracted interest from foreign buyers and took a collection of clothing to the US at the request of American buyers in 1964. It comprised some 70 coats, suits and dresses.[6]

In 1969, Sylvia Ayton – formerly in partnership with Zandra Rhodes – took over as head of outerwear at Wallis. She would attend the Paris fashion shows with Jeffrey Wallis and take notes, afterwards deciding which designs would be copied. Then they would return to look at them on the hanger and take measurements. Ayton recalled: "At Saint Laurent, you were only allowed to look, so I would measure it up in my mind." Often this would be enough and the garments would be on sale in Wallis stores before the 'official' patterns arrived from Paris.[4]

Further expansion

After steady growth the UK, the brand opened its first stores in Europe, some of which were concessions within department stores.[7] By 1976, it was a PLC with 54 branches, including stores in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden.[3] It later opened outlets in Saudi Arabia and South Africa under respective franchise and licensing agreements.[1] In 1980 Wallis became a part of the Sears Group and in 1999, following the acquisition of Sears by Sir Philip Green, the brand was transferred to the Arcadia Group.[1]

Operations

Wallis includes dedicated ranges such as its Petite range and a premium range known as Limited Edition which was introduced in 2006. Wallis also works closely with Cancer Research UK and launched a charity charm bracelet in 2005 and charm necklace in 2007 designed by international designers and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Kate Moss to raise funds for the charity.

In September 2009, the supermodel Yasmin Le Bon partnered with Wallis to design her first women's clothing and jewellery collection called YLB. In 2010, the chain introduced a collection called 'Wallis 1923', featuring coats based on its early archive patterns.[2]

Stores

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Wallis". arcadiagroup.co.uk. Arcadia Group. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Alexander, Hilary (17 May 2010). "Wallis, still in style aged 87". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ten years of counting ourselves lucky" (59709). The Times. 20 May 1976.
  4. 1 2 3 Blanchard, Tamsin (30 September 1995). "The Wallis Collection". The Independent. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  5. 1 2 Smith, Liz (1 October 1991). "A Man and his Woman" (64139). The Times.
  6. ↑ "Print and plain reverse the trend" (56020). The Times. 25 May 1964.
  7. ↑ Tisdall, Patricia (2 July 1974). "Fashion Group Moves into Europe" (59128). The Times.
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