THE FRIDAY INTERVIEW: ALBERT NG OF SKINY (Huber)

This Friday Underlines talks to Albert NG, Managing Director of SKINY and Huber. Other than his family connection to the intimate apparel business, this is his first full-time role management role of a company (Huber) that has been around since 1908 and of a brand (SKINY) which has been well established worldwide since 1986. SKINY intend to re-establish the brand in the UK and Ireland….we find out more about Albert’s plans.

And life before SKINY?

I worked as a commercial lawyer for 10 years in Melbourne, Australia when I decided to take the opportunity to join the Huber Group and move to Austria to pursue a new challenge. My background in commercial law has provided me with a unique perspective on the intricacies of the business world and the transition from a legal framework to the dynamic and vibrant world of fashion is an exciting challenge I am ready to embrace.

What is your vision for the SKINY brand?

To provide the best shopping experience possible and to create fashionable, innovative products that make our customers feel comfortable and confident. We will achieve this by staying ahead of industry trends and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration within the company.

Tell me about the identity and style of the SKINY brand

To me, SKINY embodies a modern and bold aesthetic and a commitment to staying fresh and relevant. Going back to the creation of the brand, SKINY has always been bold and adventurous. For example, the theme of colour blocking in particular was evident in the early days of the brand and has now been reimagined in a modernised form, particularly in the campaign photographs. The brand’s digital presence and parts of the collection also incorporate this type of presentation, creating a clear but striking look and feel. Just the way SKINY is ‘Bright, Bold and Fancy’.

How do you plan to differentiate SKINY in a competitive market?

By providing innovative, great quality garments for an affordable price. In a recent customer survey, the two key impressions that customers have of SKINY are its comfort and quality. Therefore, we aim to build upon these strong elements of the brand in order to carve a place for SKINY in the market.

What do you see as the biggest challenges/opportunities for SKINY?

Clearly the inflationary pressures and challenging retail environment is a cause for concern for the entire sector. However, on the bright side, we see a huge potential in the digital space with the possibility to reach new customers and offer a more targeted and direct means of communication with our end consumers which will enable us to offer them a higher level of service and better understand the customers’ needs and wants. Further by diversifying and enhancing our product offerings we can constantly provide new and exciting products to the market. By viewing challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow, we are positioning SKINY to not only overcome hurdles but to thrive in an ever-evolving market.

How do you plan to enhance the overall customer experience for SKINY?

We are committed to enhancing our online platforms to ensure a seamless and user friendly experience. We are also in the process of working closer with our wholesale partners to deliver a more immersive in-store experience with engaging visual merchandising to align with the values of the brand.

What highlights can we expect from the AW2024 Collection?

Our collaboration with Pink Ribbon is a fixture in every AW collection. Combined with a fundraising campaign in favour of the Pink Ribbon campaign of the Austrian Cancer Aid, specially designed products will be available this year. The highlight of the collection will be our ‘Purple Rain’ campaign which features our bestselling MicroEssentials and our new Wonderfulace line in various shades of purple and violet.

On a more personal note, what is your proudest moment?

Becoming a father to two wonderful children!

What do you manage to do on your down time?

Play tennis, watching YouTube and most recently, exploring Vorarlberg and neighbouring European countries.

And your pet hate?

Slow internet, untidy rooms and rudeness!