Hot news from the world of online fashion: boticca.com has got £2.5 million in funding from venture capital firm MMC Ventures, some undisclosed high net worth individuals and existing investor ISAI, which previously sank in £1.5 million.
Boticca.com, founded by Kiyan Foroughi and Avid Larizadeh, claims to have “built a cult following with jewellery and accessories fans around the world” since launching in October 2010.
Its 400,000 customers are said to include Cara Delevingne, Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria, Rita Ora, Olivia Palermo, Beyoncé and royal in-law Pippa Middleton.
Boticca is focused on international growth, and its 20-strong team includes 13 nationalities who speak 14 languages. But good taste is a language everyone can understand…
TopShop market man fashions new venture
The head of marketing at TopShop is striking out on his own. Justin Cooke has left Sir Philip Green’s fashion empire and launched his own agency, innovate7.
Cooke, who was previously Burberry’s vice president for PR, has promised “to change the fashion industry and challenge it to understand what the future of retail might look like”.
He adds: “With customers’ behaviour shifting so dramatically, enabled by technology and mobile devices, I realised I could disrupt a number of industries, and that this was the perfect moment to do that.”
Cooke, 31, has a fan in Tech City boss and former Europe head of Facebook Joanna Shields, who calls him “one of the brightest young talents I have ever come across”.
* Financial news channel CNBC aims to woo viewers in the City by sponsoring London’s top rugby side, Saracens. CNBC’s logo will appear on the shirts of Saracens stars such as Chris Ashton from tomorrow when the club takes on London Irish, with Wasps playing Harlequins in a London double-header at Twickenham. The TV news giant says the deal will “help increase awareness of the Saracens brand, and the values of rugby, to CNBC’s international business audience”.
