California Apparel News

Catching up with English Laundry’s Christopher Wicks—Fashion Industry Guild’s “Man of the Year”

Oct. 9 is John Lennon’s birthday, and apparel executive Christopher Wicks is placing The Beatles’ message of hope and peace central to his plans for the Fashion Industries Guild’s annual “Man of the Year” gala, which will be held—appropriately enough—on Oct. 9 in Beverly Hills.

Wicks is the founder of Los Angeles–based Defiance USA, maker of the English Laundry and Fender apparel lifestyle brands. Born in Manchester, England, Wicks got his start in the fashion industry in London. Ebullient, irreverently funny—and frequently profane—Wicks is the Guild’s honoree this year. His efforts will help the Guild raise funds to complete the pediatrics acute-care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. October’s event will conclude the Guild’s four-year fund-raising effort for the unit, which provides care for children who are not sick enough for the intensive-care unit but are too sick to be at a regular hospital.

“We absolutely have the right guy during these hard times,” said Ken Weinbaum, president of the Fashion Industries Guild. “He’s got one of the most exciting personalities, and that’s the same feeling you’re going to get when you walk in that room [on Oct. 9].”

Wicks has been busy calling all his rock ’n’ roll friends—as well as the movers and shakers in the apparel industry—to join him in making the gala a night to remember.

California Apparel News Executive Editor Alison A. Nieder recently sat down with the British ex-pat in his downtown Los Angeles headquarters to discuss what’s on the agenda at the gala, who’s on the guest list—and why Wicks feels this is such a worthy cause to support. Fashion Industries Guild’s “Man of the Year” award is a big honor and a big responsibility. How are the preparations going?

When I was approached to work with the group and be honored, it wasn’t something I had a second thought about. My last child was born at Cedars-Sinai, and I find the whole institution to be a cornerstone of medical research—especially in the arena of pediatrics.

We’re working to provide funding for a pediatric intensive-care unit, which, for all intents and purposes, sounds very dramatic, but it saves babies’ lives. That’s what my campaign is about.

The first thing I want to offer for the people who charitably donate is an absolutely wonderful evening. The evening is based around the ethic and lifestyle of John Lennon, which is really give peace a chance, save the world and save the children.

We’re following through on that by having a performer who sings John Lennon songs. He will open and close with “Imagine” because that’s what’s it’s all about—imagining a better world.

Because of the economy, we have to fight harder, longer and stronger to get that dollar. So we’re reaching out to people and saying, “Please respond, please give. It’s saving babies’ lives, it’s a just cause—and it’s tax-deductible.”

(Make a note there: To Gene and Barry—f***ing give me a call. Maybe you shouldn’t put that. I tell you what to say. Say, “Mr. Wicks is trying to locate Gene and Barry, ex-Lucky Brand owners.”)How familiar were you with the work that FIG has done for Cedars-Sinai? Have you had a chance to tour the facility?

I did a little tour, and it tugged more of my heartstrings than it had previously. I saw the tremendous work that the people do, and it only reinforced my [regard] of these hard-working people. The whole saving-babies’-lives thing—it’s not just a cool statement.What can we expect from October’s event? Who is coming? What’s on the agenda?

We’re hoping for up to 700 guests, including retailers, manufacturers, renowned industry icons, suppliers. Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council and owner of [British retailer] Jaeger and [British label] Aquascutum, is speaking.

There’s going to be a deejay called Native Wayne Jobson, a renowned deejay and a twice Grammy Award–winning producer. And it will be laced with rock ’n’ roll celebrities. All my friends have promised to be there.

We’re being supported by Fender. They’ve donated 12 white guitars, and they’re signed by global rock personalities, including Sir Paul McCartney, “American Idol” finalist Casey James, Avril Lavigne, [all the members of] the Goo Goo Dolls, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Miley Cyrus.

I’ve thrown parties on many occasions, but this is the highlight of my party life.

Say this: Mr. Wicks says he doesn’t do boring. What we want people to do is have an unbelievably memorable evening. We don’t want people showing up to the normal charity event. And there are seats available. The Fashion Industries Guild’s “Man of the Year” gala honoring Christopher Wicks will be held Oct. 9 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. For information about the event, e-mail Sarah McCully at sarah@defianceusa.com.