Lauren Jolly

Leading the fast paced ever changing collaborations buying team, responsible for a minimum of 3 brands at one time. A high-profile hub of newness within John Lewis own brand, seeking out emerging talent and trend, collaborating with and managing high profile designers including Alice Temperley, Bruce Oldfield and Mother of Pearl. Since joining I have been responsible for the launch and growth of 4 new brands including Modern Rarity with a capsule emerging designer collaboration forming part of each range. Seeing huge success with the Palmer Harding tie up that achieved an 86% sell thru within 3 weeks. Influencing, presentation and people management being key to the department to ensure a balance of designer flair and commerciality. Responsible for securing the designers and set up of contracts. Fully accountable for category performance and growth whilst working with our inhouse design team to deliver commercial yet trend driven products - exciting the customer with bi-monthly range launches. Ensuring that each brand is true to its customer profile and DNA. Building strong relationships across the wider business to facilitate inspiring range communication to the end customer via marketing and press. Working with a global supply base, with strong communication and relationships being key to product success.

Responsible for the delivery of the Autograph womenswear range, a £1.2million multi product brand. Accountable for driving a strategy of intake margin growth by moving to a direct sourcing model, resulting in a gain of +4.5%. Utilising Europe and the Far East to improve GM with a trialling and trading mentality. Offering constant newness to the customer, my strong product eye and creativity being vital to the success of the range as we trade 900+ styles per year. With Autograph being an all store brand in 300+ UK stores and a further 260+ international stores detailed negotiations and a real understanding of the products has been key to my success. With a focus on range building and development to ensure cohesive store layouts and markdown propositions.

Responsible for launching and trading both the Best of British and Twiggy ranges within Marks and Spencer. Best of British being one of my biggest personal challenges and successes to date. A modern, fashionable handwriting with a luxury high end feel using sleek styling and premium fabric whilst being manufactured solely in the UK. Accountable for the sourcing and implementation of a new supply base within the UK for both fabric and manufacture. With the majority of suppliers working to a CMT model, a new way of working within Marks and Spencers, creating challenges and barriers to overcome with financial and system issues. Taking on a new role to ensure all aspects of the garment were ordered and delivered in order for the suppliers to meet critical dates from fabric to care labels. Growing Twiggy and Best of British collectively to be a £13.5mil department.