The 39 Club appoints first ever female Chair

Menswear fashion agency and brand collective The 39 Club has appointed Kamla Patel, Sales and Marketing Manager at Gabicci, as its first ever female Chair, commencing in October 2022.

Patel, who became the first ever female member of the group in 2015, will take over from existing Chairman Keith Brown, the agent for brands including BD Baggies, John White, Amanda Christensen, Guards London and Dasmarca hats.

Patel said: “After becoming the first female member of the club I feel privileged and honoured to be stepping in as its first female Chair in October. So far it has been great fun and I hope I can do the club proud.”

The 39 Club’s origins date back to 1956 when a group of menswear representatives in London’s West End got together to “talk shop” and share contacts. The group formalised their gatherings, and from their regular monthly meetings a decision was taken to cap membership at 39, in reference to 1939 - the year that WWII started - in which all founding members served. The cap of 39 still stands today though the club is currently “out to recruit new members”.

These days the club meet every month in the function room at the Masons Arms at 38 Maddox Street in Mayfair, but meetings have been scarce through the pandemic.

Keith Brown commented: “It was always my intention to be Chairman for two years, but due to the lockdowns I decided to stay on for a further, hopefully normal, year.

“During the lockdowns we were forced to have our monthly meetings via Zoom and although these worked very well it just proved and confirmed how important it is to meet face to face. I now look forward to handing over to Kamla in October. I think she’ll do a great job.”

Patel will be officially revealed as the new Chair at The 39 Club’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 19 October.