5 minutes with: Talbots managing director Julie Fowler-Drake

5 minutes with: Talbots managing director Julie Fowler-Drake

International Jewellery London exhibitor Talbots provides many brands and retailers with the quality packaging they need to boost brand awareness and impress their customers.

Here, Talbots managing director Julie Fowler-Drake explains why gun-metal finishes and minimal designs are bang on-trend for AW16 and beyond.

Q: How have tastes changed in packaging recently, and do your clients now expect something different?
JFD: Tastes have changed in that our clients want simple, modern packaging that feels beautiful to touch. Think simple finishes of paper texture and branding. Less is definitely more.

Q: Are there any new pieces offered by Talbots that are proving popular? 
JFD: Our Couture box range is proving extremely popular with clients who are looking for something classic and high quality. The Couture boxes have a luxury soft touch finish with matching outer soft touch sleeve and a modern black velvet interior, making them very tactile and luxurious. Our mini Box Bags are also very popular – customers love their versatility. Both collections are in stock and can be branded for the client.

Q: What would you say to customers who are currently using unbranded packaging? 
JFD: Branding is so important to any company whether you are a small independent jeweller or a larger firm. Having quality packaging with your company name on it means that your customer’s brand experience is followed through from start to finish. As a retailer, the packaging reinforces your store as the brand and keeps it in the customer’s mind for years to come. Smart retailers get that.

Q: What do you think sets Talbots apart from the competition?
JFD: Our design and creative capability. We are not just a packaging company – we offer clients a unique design-to-production service where we work closely with clients to produce the perfect product for their company, advising them on how best to reinforce their brand identity through beautiful packaging.

Q: Will you be showing anything new or different at this year’s IJL?
JFD: Of course, we will have lots of new jewellery box ranges and bags to match. Continuing the minimalist and simple styles we have been seeing, we will have a lot of new product in gunmetal greys.

Q: What have been your impressions of exhibiting at IJL – is it a show that is important to Talbots’ yearly trade show schedule, and why?
JFD: IJL is a very important show for Talbots Group and is a date not to be missed for us. The show is more design orientated from a client point of view so is very fruitful for us because it tends to be the design-aware clients who recognise the value and importance of beautiful packaging.

Visit Talbots at IJL 2016 from 4th-6th September on Stand L51

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