Eric Musgrave - K3 Retail Conference

Eric Musgrave
One of the best-known commentators on the fashion business, Eric Musgrave has
been observing and analysing the industry since he joined Drapers Record as a
news reporter on 28 January 1980. He worked on the title for more than two years,
ending up as news editor, before he departed for other challenges.
He returned to the title in 2000 as editor-in-chief of Drapers Record (founded 1887)
and Menswear (founded 1902). In 2002 Eric led the team that created the modern
Drapers by merging these two historic titles. In 2003 he was named Weekly
Business Magazine Editor of the Year by the Professional Publishers Association
and also by Emap for his work in the highly successful launch of Drapers. He left
Drapers in 2006 to pursue other avenues.
He was invited to return to Drapers as editorial director in July 2013 after a sevenyear gap during which he was a fashion PR, a freelance journalist specialising in
luxury menswear and, during 2010, a stint as CEO of the trade body UK Fashion &
Textile Association. At UKFT, Eric was responsible for the launch of its unique online
database, Let’s Make It Here, which lists British manufacturers in many areas of the
textile and clothing sector.
As editorial director of Drapers, Eric is the brand guardian for the brand. He oversees
the editorial content for the weekly magazine and for the website drapersonline.com.
He also is central to the development of Drapers’ four national awards for the
industry, two major annual conferences and dozens of Inner Circle dinners and
briefing breakfasts for senior figures in the business, plus special events like
Drapers’ Next Generation for emerging talent.
During his 35 years as a journalist, Eric held senior editorial positions on Men’s
Wear, MAB News, International Textiles (in Amsterdam), Fashion Weekly and
Sportswear International (in Milan). He was also the launch editor in 1985 of For Him
Magazine, the men’s lifestyle magazine now known as FHM. He joined Emap in
1996 and worked on its trade events 40° and MXL before taking over at Drapers
Record and Menswear in 2000.
Eric’s freelance work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the
Financial Times, ES Magazine, The Rake, billionaire.com, Scabal’s Bespoken
magazine and Halcyon (Harrods Aviation magazine). He is the author of a pictorial
history of men’s tailoring, Sharp Suits (Pavilion Books 2009). Many examples of his
extensive body of work are to be seen on his personal website
www.ericmusgrave.co.uk
A former trustee of the trade charity Retail Trust, Eric is now a trustee of the Fashion
& Textile Children’s Trust. He is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of
Pattenmakers, which has close links to the footwear industry, and is a Freeman of
the City of London. He is regularly asked to comment on fashion industry matters by
the media.