This Friday Underlines catches up Angela Barker-Blundell and Janice Tassell, the talented women behind one of the most dynamic sales and consultancy agencies in the UK, Concrete Concept.
L to R: Janice Tassell & Angela Barker-Blundell
Your Previous Life?
AB: Before we set up Concrete Concept, I have been a consultant for various companies as a change manager; transforming businesses who needed a boost into the 21st century and beyond. Prior to that, I worked as Managing Director for various companies such as Wolford and Olsen, having previously work as Sales Director/Manager for companies likes Armani, D Squared, Selected and Diesel. I then set up my own brand, ‘Cncrt London’ last year in a bid to tackle reducing landfill waste by offering a collection that will become your wardrobe staples that will last forever.
Janice, my business partner, worked at Wolford for over 8 years, most recently, as Head of Sales for Northern Europe, and was responsible for building the building on an omni channel level. She brings her extensive experience of working with premium and luxury brands and excellent relationships with key department stores, e-commerce and top end independents in both the UK and Europe, implementing successful growth strategies, working with brands previously such as Strenesse and Olsen
What is special about Concrete Concept?
We set up Concrete Concept last year as we wanted to seize an opportunity to offer a 360-degree service where we work with our brands on building their business nationally and/or internationally. This means that we can work with start-ups and established brands in getting them ‘retail ready’ on an omni channel level and place them with the correct retail partners, negotiate their entry into the markets whether it be through traditional wholesale, concession, online or marketplace. As we have both been in the business for over 25 years, we have the knowledge, experience, and contacts to make this happen. We also thrive on building relationships, so our brands are well looked after, and we are constantly in touch with them. We also enjoy building strong partnerships with retailers and many buyers we have known for over 15 years so we feel that there is a strong trust element between us.
Why now the world of underwear, lifestyle and swimwear?
As we both have had our past career journeys in these markets, we felt it most important to ‘stick with what we know best’. There is so much competition out there but the most important messages we want to send out in this tough, economic and environmental climate are sustainability, longevity and quality. Most of the brands we have, have a clear focus on sustainability; for example, Schiesser use organic cotton in most of their product; Wolford use recycled polyester, Polo Ralph Lauren use Pima cotton and plan to be 75% sustainable by 2024 and Cncrt London uses non mulesed merino wool and non-chemical dyes in their production in addition to using Whole garment technology to create zero waste. Longevity is key when we are talking about reducing landfill waste, hence creating high quality product that lasts; I have Wolford in my wardrobe that has lasted over 10 years and still has not lost its elasticity and crispness. Quality is key and making conscious purchases has never been so important in this economic crisis as we want our purchases to last.
How do you plan to expand the presence of the brands you represent in the UK & Ireland?
We have a great network of retailers who buy our brands and, as we continue to expand our portfolio, we are looking at various ways to grow our knowledge and the Brand’s exposure. 2022 was a tough year for many of us and we need to learn to be more flexible with our approach to brands and retailers in terms of margins, profitability and longevity. 2022 opened our eyes to the fact that traditional wholesale is not for everyone so we have created pop ups for some of the brands where we can understand more about what the consumer is looking for; we have offered concession models to some businesses and for 2023, considering setting up a warehouse in the UK so we can introduce brands to online marketplace platforms. We have also collaborated with Karen Radley, Founder of Scoop International, to dedicate a gallery room at The Saatchi Gallery to lingerie, lifestyle and hosiery brands which will be the first lingerie offer in London, at a trade show, for a very long time! Brands showing will be Polo Ralph Lauren, Wolford, Promise, Calida, Schiesser as well as Hartis, West 39, Eberjey, Huit and Jessica Flint Russell.
2022 opened our eyes to the fact that traditional wholesale is not for everyone so we have created pop ups for some of the brands where we can understand more about what the consumer is looking for; we have offered concession models to some businesses and for 2023, considering setting up a warehouse in the UK so we can introduce brands to online marketplace platforms.
A Typical Week in your life
I get up at 7am to get my son ready for school. We tend to eat breakfast together before he heads off so having that little time with him is very special as my days are usually very long. I do Pilates/Yoga 3 times a week at home and am showered and ready for work at 9am. After a daily catch up of fashion business news from Underlines, Business of Fashion, Drapers and the national newspapers, and depending on the day, regular meetings will include ones with our marketing team to discuss what news we can share on social media and to prepare newsletters to go out to buyers on a bi-weekly basis, with Janice to discuss what we need to achieve for the week or with clients like The Schiesser Group’s International Sales Manager to discuss progress, any issues but most of all, how we can continue to grow our brands in key markets. Setting financial targets for the week, budget planning for the coming season and assessing trade shows for upcoming seasons is another regular concern. There will then be analysis of sell-through reports from all our major department stores to assess replenishment of best-sellers, scouting for new up-and-coming brands and ongoing meetings about upcoming projects, including pop-ups and pitching to retail landlords for potential venues. We’re trying to encourage more SMEs to air their voices in the pop-ups that we stage, to introduce their brands to consumers in a physical retail space, an environment that may not be easily available to them through department stores and independents. I’m also regularly looking into ways of creating opportunities to grown Cncrt London in digital spaces, including online market places and concession, both nationally and internationally. Typically, I finish work by around seven, which gives me time to enjoy dinner with the family and relax for an hour or two…
Those Special Moments in your career
Helping Wolford to win Lingerie Brand of the Year and Hosiery brand of the year in the first year of myself being Managing Director of UK.
Launching Diesel into Harvey Nichols in 1998 which spearheaded the elevation as a premium denim brand.
Launching my own brand, Cncrt London in 2021 which contributes towards the United Nations’ sustainability goals by planting trees to help improve the environment, reducing landfill waste by creating longevity of product and creating innovation and zero waste by using the Japanese Shima Seiki technology of whole garment knitting
If you were not working in this sector then what do you think you would have done instead?
Would loved to have become an architect. I am so inspired by architects such as Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd-Wright. In fact, I’ve named each style in my collection after my favourite architects.
Your proudest moment to date?
When the eldest of my two sons told me that he’d got a first in economics at university.
Your biggest mistake?
Not starting my own partnership business earlier.
What has been your greatest challenge?
Juggling climbing the ladder in my career whilst bringing up 2 young children.
The one product you cannot live without?
My Wolford shape wear which I wear every single day as it is so comfortable. The tulle forming dress is my must wear piece.
Time out?
Making homemade pizzas with my boys whilst we watch a cheesy film!
Dinner with my favourite bottle of Malbec at our local, The Anglesey Arms, Shepherds Bush with my husband.
Pet Hate?
People not being given the opportunity to air their views without being interrupted mid conversation.
Concrete Concept will be showing their brands in the Lingerie Room at the Scoop International event (29-31 January 2023) and in their Central London showrooms from 16th January 2023. If you would like to find out more and/or make an appointment please contact either Angela on angela.blundell@concrete-concept.org M: 07887 730754 or Janice on Janice.tassell@concrete-concept.org M: 07801 062775.
