Q&A: Amy Molyneaux, creative director PPQ and Blanco
Amy Molyneaux is co-founder and creative director of London Fashion Week brand PPQ. She has also recently been appointed as creative director of Spanish fast fashion brand Blanco (formerly Suiteblanco), having been brought to the role by Blanco's new boss Stephen Craig, formerly CEO of All Saints. She talks to The Industry about her inspiration, the challenge of juggling two roles and designing for herself.
We know you best as creative director at PPQ (which Amy founded with Percy Parker in 1992), but you have also just been appointed creative director at Spanish brand Blanco, how did that come about?
PPQ was invested in by the Baugur group [the Icelandic investment group], which also invested in All Saints. I had know Stephen Craig [the former CEO of All Saints and now CEO of Blanco] through mutual friends but really got to know him at a senior management event in Monaco held by Baugur.
When he took on Blanco I knew he was taking it on with total focus, how could I resist the challenge?
What was it about taking on the Blanco brand that attracted you?
I liked the challenge of turning around a brand with such brilliant heritage that had been neglected. Also I have experience of working with a wide product category over the years and to put this into high volume faster fashion was what my head was waiting for.
Blanco has around 250 shops globally and is Saudi-owed [it was acquired by Alhokair Fashion Retail in 2014] so I was also intent on working with a new territories.
Blanco: SS16
Your last collection for Blanco had a very strong Spanish influence, why was that important to you?
There were two collections launched at once, one inspired by Scottish heritage and the other by Spanish. The team here has strong roots in both countries; it was a celebration of the meetings of minds and also both are great classics. Who hasn’t got a plaid shirt or a little black lace number in the back of the wardrobe?
How do you balance the creative process for Blanco with that of PPQ – do you dedicate separate time and space to each brand or do you work on them in tandem?
I have a superb team at PPQ and they have been with me for years. I don't have to say very much…PPQ is in the bloodstream. PPQ inspires me to design more products.
PPQ: SS16
Do you have a particular woman in mind when you design for each brand?
Generally me, I view it as me as a consumer and what I would want. If I wouldn't wear it why would I sell it? I still shop like every other women does.
Many designers are complaining of creative and physical fatigue given the demands of the modern fashion industry, how are you faring heading up two brands?
I do TM, which is transcendental meditation, I learnt when I was around nine years old. It's very important for me in terms of energy and focus and the rest of it is stamina I've accrued over the years!
Does your remit at Blanco stretch beyond the fashion and into other areas. E.g. advertising, in-store?
It's across all areas; I work closely with everyone from VM to marketing to push the theme of the collection.
Blanco: SS16
Music has always played a heavy part in the PPQ culture, is that still important and is that something you bring to Blanco?
Music is the start of everything, it’s the mood that makes you want to go out and get dressed up. People always ask which one comes first, the music or the fashion. It’s a circle, but at the top of it is music.
Scarily, London Fashion Week is not that far away, how is the PPQ collection coming together and can we have a sneak preview of what to expect?
Yes it's either side of you all of the time, I am sandwiched in space and time of summer and winter. Coats on, coats off…ladies it's nearly show time! This year is all about the inner "She".
Apart from the brands you work on, which other designers and brands most inspire you and why?
As I always say, I am huge champion of the big established heavy weights; old couture houses that have stood the test of time, as it's so easy to go out of business even if you are making great product.
