An ambitious strategy requires the right people to see it through. APSARA has assembled an all-star team of directors and active advisors who know and understand how to build lasting luxury brands and have the experience to see it through:
Samantha Graham-Bell: Co-Founder & Executive Creative Director.
Oliver Spencer: Non-Executive Director.
Before founding APSARA in 2003, Samantha was a director of Gailliard Ltd, trading as Catherine Prevost Designs, a leading semi-precious jewellery line in London. Samantha’s career in fashion and her unique sense of style were built upon her experience as a stylist [Elle Magazine, New York) and in PR with accounts Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent (Woodhead, London) and for Ralph Lauren.
Founding member of Net-A-Porter and GM of Merchandising, Sojin is recognized in the industry for having identified future trends and emerging designers as well as convinced existing established brands to partner with Net-A-Porter, a leading fashion online multi-brand retailer. She was responsible for global merchandising, buying and retail operations, as well as business development, strategic planning and white-label.
Prior to Net-A-Porter, she had been Commercial Director at Bottega Veneta for several accessory lines and Marketing Manager at Chanel USA in Beauty and Fragrance as well as project manager in accessories where she lead aspects of market and product development.
She is now currently working on her own venture together with her partner Ashley Hayes.
Sojin was born in Korea, raised in Europe and schooled in LA and Boston.
Widely regarded as London’s most up-and-coming mens-wear designer, Oliver is the co-founder and CEO of two companies: Favourbrook, a luxury formalwear and accessory retail business, and the OliverSpencer Ltd, a venture-backed designer mens-wear label in its 4th year, selling across Europe, the US, and Asia with over 300 stockists and a NYC flagship store.
legendary and proven veterans of the fashion industry, Rattan and Adu founded MEXX in 1980 and grew the Company into a leading mid-market brand in Europe. MEXX sells its branded merchandise in 840 of its own stores and 7,500 independent retail units in 40 countries worldwide. Since 1981 the company has operated a separate arm in Canada, where it has 40 retail stores and factory outlets, plus wholesale distribution to 900 stores. Liz Claiborne Inc [NYSE: LIZ] acquired MEXX for $264 million in 2001 (excluding the earn-out) and bought MEXX Canada in June 2002. Rattan now sits on the Executive Board at Liz Clairborne Inc. and is rolling out the Liz Clairborne brand portfolio across Europe. Rattan is also a non-executive director of The Oberoi Group International. Adu is Managing General Partner of FR2, a buy-out fund focused on the fashion, retail and luxury goods (FRLG).
As a co-founder of the business, Niko guides the overall development and field operations (sales management, logistics, accounts & controlling) of the business, drawing upon his business-building expertise both as a technology venture capitalist,and a successful entrepreneur in his own right. Niko holds an MBA from INSEAD Business School as well as BSc & MSc degrees from Stanford University.
