Handbags & Gladrags
Courtney Blackman is a London-based entrepreneur working across various roles in the fashion industry. She founded London’s Forward PR in 2004 and continues to serve as the managing director. In 2006, she co-founded and serves as the co-chairman of London’s Fashion Business Club, a group of fashion insiders who are helping to shape the business side of the industry. We catch up with Courtney to find out what she loves most about her job.
Can you describe your role at Forward PR?
I founded Forward PR as a fashion-focused PR agency in 2004. I currently serve as the MD and am very hands on with all of our accounts, be it a burgeoning young designer or a large global-reaching fashion event in New York. I love working with brands and am very passionate about the industry.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Meeting people. I find people fascinating in general and working in PR has me meeting new people all of the time. I enjoy hearing how people got to where they are and learning silly things about them – things that define their personality…and I suppose lots of free clothing, accessories, and invitations to amazing events are nice perks to working in fashion PR as well.
Did you always want to work in Fashion?
When I was young, I was always intrigued by the social and psychological impact that aesthetics could make on people and an environment as a whole. I always considered fashion as an option in the back of my head – once I escaped the tiny town I grew up in.
How did you start your career?
I have a degree in International Business and a certificate in Information Systems, and my career journey has been quite something – from cutting pineapples on a boat in Costa Rica to working as the Sales & Marketing Director at the World Trade Office in Vermont, USA, but I feel where I am and what I’m doing now is perfectly suited, and all the interesting posts I’ve held in the past have helped define me as the business person I am today. I moved back to the UK at the end of 2002 and immediately started working as the in-house PR & Marketing Director for a London-based designer fashion label. After 3 seasons, the designer relocated to Tokyo. I saw it as an opportunity to start my own fashion PR business. I come from an entrepreneurial family, so the prospect of launching a small business wasn’t at all daunting. It was thrilling.
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
I face challenges all the time. I’ll have a quick freak out session, lasting maybe a minute, then I’ll set out to fixing them. I realised long ago that looking back on what was then perceived a challenge, was never a huge deal. It’s just a matter of tackling it head on and moving forward.
What lessons have you learnt during your journey?
Manners. Good manners are so important, and trusting instinct.
Why did you set up Fashion Business Club?
To bring the industry together. To bring designers, photographers, stylists, journalists, etc. together several times a year to share experiences, work with each other and prosper.
How do you juggle running Forward PR and FBC?
Lots of lovely staff. And, my partner travels quite a lot, so I can work an unconscionable number hours during the workweek and on the weekends.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Be prepared, always, always be professional and never forget to smile and ask people how they are doing.
What do you think is the key behind your success?
An innate entrepreneurial spirit, focus, way too much energy, a fairly good memory and an obsession with organisation and systems.
What advice would you give to anyone wishing to pursue a career in fashion?
Be prepared to work hard. It is an extremely competitive industry, and can be very unkind at times. Stay focused and meet as many people as possible. It truly is a ‘who you know’ industry.
What are you most proud of?
Can you ask me that again when I’m 90?
