At just 28 years old, Annabel Mount-Kirk has successfully opened her first designer boutique in Chester. Annabel has designed and made her own range of luxurious lingerie, launched an up and coming designer clothing website and has many big plans set in store for the future. After completing her degree in Management, Marketing of Textiles at The University of Manchester, Annabel spent 2 years working as an assistant buyer for popular high street clothing stores which gave her a good insight in to the fashion industry. Although she thoroughly enjoyed her job as an Assistant Buyer, Annabel always felt she had her own ideas and hoped for her own company. She therefore decided to go back to The University of Manchester to complete a Masters degree in Fashion Design and Management where she was given great help in setting up her own business through mentoring there. Annabel cut her teeth on the shop floor of Bravissimo, it was here that she gained an in depth knowledge of the lingerie business. It was this experience that confirmed she wanted to pursue a self-employed retail career.
Annabel's first designer lingerie boutique, The editeur opened its doors in February 2011 in a beautiful grade II building on the historic Rows of her home town, Chester. In its first year of trading they reached the finals of the Drapers lingerie retailer of the year, losing to John Lewis! After many designer womenswear stores closed down in Chester, Annabel used her business initiative and expanded her offer at The editeur to include clothing, footwear, accessories and shoes. Annabel's personal style is classically timeless and this really epitomises the edited selection of designer womenswear . Each item for sale is of very high quality and chooses to buy few key pieces that women would consider to be treasured favourites rather than bulk buying fashion.
Annabel hopes that the next few years will see The editeur's online expansion and eventually hopes to open more boutiques around the country. Although she understands that a big part of the future of retail is online, she feels that it's extremely important to have that high street presence for the many customers who enjoy the shopping experience and rely on staff for knowledge and expertise.
For any budding entrepreneurs hoping to set up their own business, Annabel believes that now is the perfect time to start your own business due to the current economic climate and shortage of job opportunities. She also advises to people wanting a career to take off in the fashion industry to start up your own fashion blog.