Mention the name Jeff Banks, and for many, there’s an instant connection to the Swinging Sixties, with Jeff one of the most prolific movers and shakers on the fashion scene. He opened his first store, Clobber, in Blackheath in 1964, co-founded the fashion chain Warehouse in the ‘70s, and also created and presented BBC1’s The Clothes Show.
However, it was the launch of a brand new home fragrancing collection – Jeff Banks Home – for Candlelight that saw the iconic designer at Spring Fair on Tuesday (February 8), with Jeff eager to explain the concept. “I was looking to do an upmarket candle brand, and as my association with Candlelight’s Mike Winch and Sue Mayo goes back a very long way, I decided to contact the company first to see if they’d be interested,” he told GiftsandHome.net.
The result is a collection of ten skus featuring ‘day’ and ‘night’ candles and reed diffusers in two colours – grey and aubergine – along with two fragrances. Explains Jeff: “I’ve taken the same approach to this range as I do with my men’s fragrance range, which features a fresher, lighter scent for wearing in the daytime and something a bit heavier and richer for the evening. Acacia, in a grey colour palette, has been introduced for day use, while Oleander in aubergine is ideal for fragrancing the home the evening, when you want something a little heavier.”
Among the first gift retailers to place an order for the launch collection was Janet Hartree, owner of Ewe and Me in Grantown-on-Spey, a long time fan of both Jeff and Candlelight. “I still wear my diaphanous Jeff Banks black top with white buttons that I bought back in the day,” Janet told a delighted Jeff. “It was a bit big on the shoulders when I bought it, so I got out my needle and thread, but it’s remained one of my favourite pieces, and I still wear it to this day!”
As a gift retailer for some 42 years, Janet was also delighted to celebrate Candlelight’s 50th anniversary at the show. “I’ve been buying from Candlelight since I first opened Ewe & Me, and I’m still placing orders,” she smiled.
The new Jeff Banks Home collection will be going into stores this August, featuring a further six fragrances in both ranges.
Above: Fashion designer Jeff Banks is shown on the Candlelight stand at Spring Fair, where he was launching his new Jeff Banks Home collection. He is pictured with Janet Hartree (right), owner of Ewe & Me in Grantown on Spey, her daughter Sarah (left), and GiftandHome.net’s editor Sue Marks (centre).
