Born in London, whilst aged 9 at School Stephen was often bought before the teachers and reprimanded for selling varied clothing and products to his friends that he purchased from his fathers wholesale business, and when the mothers were waiting at the gates with a list the school came down hard and stopped it. At 12 he was retrieving golf balls from the lake on hole 17 at night and selling them back to the golfers at the weekend. Stephen then started show jumping horses and between 13 and 18 bought and sold many having won uncountable trophies.
At 18 he left school and served an unofficial apprenticeship at Smiley Blue Pta, 50
chain stores in South Africa. Stephen experienced all aspects; Warehouse/ logistics, Display, Assistant buyer, Store Manager, Area Manager and more.
From 1984 to 2000 Stephen had his own companies. Starting with 3 concessions within the Burton Group PLC he built it to over 400 shop-in shop within two years. At the same time he was supplying womenswear to literally thousands of independents throughout Europe, opening trading offices in Hong Kong, Stockholm, Helsinki, Hamburg, Barcelona, Delhi and London. Throughout this period his companies were also manufacturing for some of Europe’s leading store groups and he also had a niche mail order clothing catalogue direct to the public. Since 2000, Stephen has been evolved in Brand Development, Wholesale, Retail, Ecommerce, Buying, Sales and Marketing, Start-ups. Stephen’s strengths are varied and at most levels, departments and people over the years and through FashionCompass is now
offering his knowledge and “can do” experience to an ever changing industry. He is very well connected in the U.K./ Europe and Asia. Stephen is now very active with international retailers and brands on a Global scale but is still in touch, due to his trading nature with what’s happening at ground level in the U.K. with independent newcomers and the surge in online activities and a tough market. Stephen is now 44 and believes amazing opportunities can be made in the years ahead. “Look around, three of the U.K.’s richest top ten individuals are from retail clothing. If you are not turning in a good profit, you are not doing it right!” Stephen Laundy.