Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - January / February 2021

BODA SKINS ANNOUNCES 2021 PLANS INCLUDING ASIA EXPANSION, CAPSULE COLLECTIONS, A BUY- BACK SUSTAINABLE SCHEME AND NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM Global fashion brand Boda Skins has released its 2021 plans, which include expansion into Asia, seasonal capsule collections, and a buy-back scheme to turn old jackets into reusable rucksacks. The Manchester-based brand founded by Nathan Alexander, which is renowned for its leather jackets and adored by celebrities, has also appointed a new senior management team to support its ambitious growth plans. Expansion plans Boda Skins is already a huge success in Europe, the United States and Australia, where its range is worn by thousands of customers and celebrities alike, including Khloe Kardashian, Olivia Palermo, Hailey Bieber, Anthony Joshua and Justin Timberlake. In 2021, the global fashion brand will be expanding into Asia, working with a Chinese digital marketing company to raise its profile and help increase ecommerce sales. Boda Skins has recently raised £500,000 funding from Barclays and Funding Circle to accelerate its growth in Asia, as well as expand its product range and core technology. Even lockdown was a success for the company, when it experienced record sales – a 20% increase YOY in the summer period – with many purchases coming from the UK and Germany. 2021 collections and sustainability plans In 2021, Boda Skins will launch a new capsule collection each season. These condensed collections will include Boda Skins’ most influential pieces, including puffer jackets, shearling jackets, sunglasses, denim, boots and face masks, and of course, the wide range of leather jackets that it is renowned for. Visit www.bodaskins.com ENI JEWELLERY LAUNCHES TWO NEW EARRING DESIGNS Eni jewellery has launched two new earring designs; the Chain Earrings and Unpaired Chain earrings. The long Chain Earrings, made from eco fine silver, are a statement piece that can be worn all day, with a nice volume to add bold detail to an outfit. The light, hollow earrings have a playful movement and are approximately 7.2cm in length. The Unpaired Chain Earrings consist of a long chain link earring, and a stud. These mix and match earrings are made from eco fine silver and also offer a fabulous statement for bold accessorising. These earrings are light, with the long versions at 7.2 cm and the short ones are approximately 2.8cm. www.enijewellery.com OLD ENGLISH HALT MORRISONS’ SALE OF INFRINGING DESIGNS Old English Company Ltd, which designs and manufactures a range of high-quality bespoke giftware items, has successfully resolved a copyright infringement dispute against national supermarket chain Morrisons over the sale of infringing designs printed on mugs. Old English Company was assisted by ACID’s legal affiliate, McDaniels Law. Despite not admitting liability, Morrisons and Old English reached a settlement, the terms of which are confidential. Old English became aware that Morrisons was selling products that appeared to have incorporated the whole or a substantial part of the bespoke artistic work created by the company, which are protected by copyright. Old English sought legal advice and commenced pre-action correspondence. The agreement to settle the dispute, without the necessity of proceedings, was a good outcome for both parties. ACID Legal Affiliate Kelly Hudson, a Director of McDaniels Law, said, “This has been an impressive result for Old English, they have been able to enforce their rights and obtain a very positive result without the need for Court proceedings, which should always be a last resort. If settlement is possible, we will always try to achieve this for clients, provided it is the right settlement for them.” Dids Macdonald, OBE., chief executive of ACID said, “Typically when a much smaller company suffers alleged copying by major retail chains and a settlement is reached, the retail chain usually insist on confidentiality so that there is no reputational damage. It is a strategy that ACID does not support. Increasingly micro companies pitted against major retail chains are taking to social media because they want to name and shame this practice. I hope that in 2021 there will be more corporate social responsibility by major players to respect the IP of others and be held to account.” www.acid.com THE BRITISH HALLMARKING COUNCIL UPDATES HALLMARKING REQUIREMENTS FROM JANUARY 2021 The British Hallmarking Council has updated its guidance on hallmarking requirements from 1 January, 2021, following Government advice. Obligations to recognise equivalent EU hallmarks will end in Great Britain. For the Northern Ireland market, EU hallmarks will continue to be recognised by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act. Any product already on the market before January 2021 will be legal under the same legislation. The question of the length of time this will be effective has not yet been determined and the council states it would be good practice to maintain records demonstrating that items being sold were on the market prior to 1 January, 2021. Any new stock entering the Great Britain market will require a UK national hallmark or an International Convention hallmark while any new stock exported to EU member states will require a mark recognised by those countries. The BHC will send further updates on developments as these become available. INDUSTRY NEWS 121