It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Philippa Bradley on Wednesday 30th September, after a sudden and short battle with a brain tumour. Philippa was one of the industry’s longest standing figureheads, a doyenne of her time and a well-respected Agent in her field. She propelled many brands into the UK market including Christian Dior lingerie, Nina Ricci and Princesse Tam Tam to name a few. Her razor sharp eye and impeccable style teamed with tireless passion lead to the organic formation of Philippa Bradley Agencies.
Philippa unintentionally burst into the lingerie trade in 1972. She initially met another mum at the school gates who was moving abroad and needed someone to take over selling Robin Alexis Lingerie. She subsequently met Marguerite Lee, owner of a silk brand called Louisa Lee, who opened many more doors to this novice with no formal training. Philippa cherished regaling tales of curb crawling with her battered suitcase to visit boutiques up and down the country, together with the Harrogate tradeshows and of course her frequent trips to Paris.
Twenty years ago, Philippa made the bold decision to open a showroom in Mayfair, contrary to the advice she had received from her associates. Not one to conform and often operating outside the realms of the norm, Philippa took on the showroom and never looked back.
In the same vein, taking on Princesse Tam Tam in the nineties – a brand with no presence in the UK, which only went up to a C cup and came in quirky prints – was a risky manoeuvre. Philippa raised the brand from its infancy to a much loved fashion brand stocked in Selfridges, Harrods, Fenwick as well as independents far and wide.
I personally met Philippa in 2007 having moved to London fresh from graduating in Fashion & Textile Management from Nottingham Trent University. Having felt rather downtrodden after attending an uneventful recruitment fair, I found myself in an unplanned interview with Philippa. She gave me an opportunity that certainly does not arise these days and was the springboard for my career. Just two years after joining the company, we morphed into a partnership and pursued the journey together. We continued to snuffle out truffles and added incredible brands, Eberjey and Magic BodyFashion, to our portfolio of brands. Laurence Tavernier has remained an anchor brand within the agency for over 25 years, when initially Philippa worked directly with Laurence herself.
It also became apparent that Philippa was passionate about being around and nurturing young people with emerging brands. Often unashamedly outspoken, she would deliver the critique that young brands found invaluable. She was like a child at Christmas unveiling new collections from our rising brands West Seventy Nine and Jessica Russell Flint, often trying on samples herself as they were pulled from the boxes.
As well as her commitment to the business, Philippa was also a patron of the Contemporary Art Society, a Founder Patron of the Heart Cells Foundation and a lover of adventurous travels across the globe. Her home became a canvas to modern art; a sanctuary in which she would spend her final days surrounded by her devoted husband Michael and loving daughters, Emma and Lucy.
She taught me by example that how we live our life impacts how we die. She lived a fast paced, courageous and beautiful life; she died in the same manner. They say that life is not about the number of breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away. Philippa is one of the few people I know who has lived multiple lives in one, grabbing every opportunity, travelling that little bit further, making that extra phone call…
“Attending” a virtual ceremony for Philippa’s passing was a far cry from what she would have wanted. Philippa was the definition of a social animal, a party lover with relentless energy. A woman like no other. While I am deeply grieved by the loss of one of the pillars of our community, I am also thankful to have had the chance to know one of the champions of our industry.
Drink it whilst it’s fizzy.
For those who wish to make a donation, we are raising funds for the Heart Cells Foundation, a charity close to Philippa’s heart.
Tributes from other associates….
Mariela Rovito – Co-Founder and President of Eberjey
Philippa was a giant in business and in life. We could not have had a better person believe in us in the UK and will forever be grateful to her for our incredible journey together. She knew the business, she knew the buyers, and she always rejoiced in showing beautiful product; but she loved connecting and catching up with the buyers just as much. She was a real people person and she loved hearing and telling stories. I always listened in awe when she spoke about her modest beginnings and greatly admired her tenacity in succeeding at what she loved.
Over the 12 years that we worked together, we developed a warm friendship that inspired me to be a greater lover of life. She lived life fully and passionately and often nudged me to do just that: enjoy the dinners out in Paris even if I hadn’t slept all night, go to the Art Basel after parties (never mind those pesky blisters on my feet), and stay away on holiday just a little longer if I could because, well… you only live once.
Rest in Delight, dear Philippa. You will be sorely missed by so many and will forever be in our hearts.
Brigitte Chauchon – Friend and International Business Manager of Maison Lejaby
Philippa Bradley, her team and I worked together for more than 10 years representing Princesse Tam Tam in the UK. We did so much positive business together and we achieved so much.
Philippa Bradley was an example to me in the level of energy and the passion she put into work and the results she obtained. She loved the lingerie industry and she loved the focused and selective distribution in the UK. I will never forget the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Philippa Bradley Agencies showroom in South Molton street in London.
Philippa was an Inspiration in her very personal way combining ambitions, professional approach and human feelings with her business partners. She was a friend. I will always feel her energy and her warm smiles on me.
David Lyons – Agent
I had the pleasure to meet Philippa way back in 1972 and we became close friends. We would talk about our life in knickers and nighties together, often comparing notes whenever we met up for lunch, whether in one of her favourite London eateries, or on the many occasions l drove us up to the Harrogate Trade show, my car laden with all our samples. She complaining about the “tent”, me reassuring her that the wind would not blow her away. She always had an infectious smile, and was always beautifully dressed and loved to share tales with me about her holidays to far flung places.
She was hard working, dedicated and determined and from small beginnings built up her business to what it is today. She was unique, often outspoken which is what l admired her for and l will miss her very much…
Nicola Clayton – Colleague
It is an honour to pay tribute to an amazing lady – Philippa.
Philippa has been in my life for over 20 years. Back in the day in a professional capacity – there were many a Harrods and Rigby & Peller appointment at the PBA showroom, looking at Princess Tam Tam, Eberjey, Laurence Tavernier and Vivis! Appointments with Philippa were always full of her passion, vivacity and charm. In more recent years I had the pleasure of working for Philippa, and she has always been the most supportive and a real pillar of strength as life has taken its ups and downs.
I will always remember Philippa’s crazy curls, leaping around the showroom with her abundance of energy. Her love of travel and art were and always will be a constant inspiration to me, she lived such a full and wonderful life, doing everything at 100 miles an hour to ensure she could fit it all in!
