Jonathan Saunders Closes Label

[Marc10]

LONDON — The Jonathan Saunders business is closing, following the designer’s decision to step down as creative director of the brand for personal reasons.

The company said in a statement that Saunders and his investor and business partner, Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, made the decision to wind down the company. It will be honoring orders from the spring/summer 2016 collection.

“It is not a decision that I take lightly and I am eternally grateful to my team for all their hard work and dedication,” said the designer.

“Eiesha has not only been a fantastic partner over the last year but an incredible support and we remain close. I am very thankful for all of the friends that I have across the industry, and I look forward to working with everyone again soon on future creative projects,” he added.

Bharti Pasricha, who also holds a stake in Roksanda, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting one of the most talented British designers of our times. Our decision to part ways was not easy and I wish Jonathan every success for the future.”

wwd.com

 

[gossiping]

not enough money?

 

[thatsfierce]

nooooooo

 

[TheoG]

This is really unfortunate, after two really great FW and SS showings. Saunders, Schwab, and Nicoll made me interested in London.

 

[Marc10]

not enough money?

Not really, he just had a major investment early this year.

 

[Lola701]

Such a really sad news. I have one black dress from his FW2013 that is still one of my favorite today.

But i have to admit that i'm not surprised by this news. Jonathan is a really talented designer (much more than a JWA and some others from the London scene) but his brand didn't have that much of an identity.

He may be creative but people don't care about creativity for the sake of it. One season he was sexy, the other one he was exprimental...And then, he was very covered up.

I think an italian fashion brand can hire him as a creative director.

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

such a surprise, i wonder if its for health or family reasons.

 

[Emmanuelle]

How sad I loved their designs so much !

 

[pen6693]

What?? WOW!!! Because of him I actually looked at LFW, besides Burberry, but wow. His collections were always my favorites. Such as shame, let me go buy out his last collection.

 

[perhydrol]

What about having Jonathan at Dior or Lanvin? It's quite possible imho with those personal reasons.

 

[simon]

Ughhhh, nooooo! He's one of the reasons why I look forward to LFW.

 

[Fatalefashion]

Please go to Dior!

 

[Kite]

If Jonathan Saunders goes to Dior i will become a Plumber.

He didn't sell any clothes. His turn over was minuscule compared to the other designers in the same/similar field.

His brand has little/no identity and I feel this was on the cards for many, MANY years. He's narrowly avoided closure a handful of times. This just isn't a surprise at all.

With other brands from the same era (Kane/Roksanda/Mary Katrantzou/Erdem) All making healthy profit, opening stores, growing and moving forward, Saunders never had that option because he just didn't sell any clothes. Which, at the end of the day, is what it comes down too.

 

[AD011620]

I very often liked his stuff but every time I wanted to buy it I was underwhelmed by the quality... Sad news anyway because he is a very talented designer... I have a feeling he might be recruited by a bigger house very soon...

 

[honeycombchild]

It's a shame it's had to close, I really liked his work and the collections presented but as it's been stated, I think he really struggled to find a market for his product. Even his Debenham's collaborative collection was canned after a year, if his designs can't even sell at High Street prices (and the dismal efforts of Sadie Frost can) then it's not going well.

 

[BerlinRocks]

little reminders ...

vogue.uk - jan, 23rd 2015

JONATHAN SAUNDERS has secured investment in his eponymous label from Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, to help his brand move into its next chapter, and "lay the foundations for the brand's future growth", a spokesperson for the brand confirmed this morning.

"I am thrilled to be working with Eiesha in this new phase of the brand," said Saunders. "There is a special quality to this investment for me as we enjoy a shared ambition for the business and joint vision for the brand."

...
Jonathan was talking about the "brand's future growth" a year ago ... Therefore, I can assume they all thought it will continue ... Short-term investment is a thing ? Econ people ?

In recent seasons, the label was thought to be facing financial difficulty, but raised investment from Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, a 31-year-old Indian businesswoman who also holds a stake in Roksanda, in January 2015...

bof

I guess this wasn't such a good investment after all ...

Isn't Eiesha billionnaire Mittal's daughter - the one who married like 5 years ago or something ?

 

[disco54]

Critical success but a commercial failure. I agree with Kite, I have never seen his clothes at stores.

 

[Nomar]

Honestly such a shame! He was always a highlight for me during LFW and I really do hope a big house picks him up because he is a talented designer.