Christopher Colfer Shares His Vision For AHALife

Sydney Chic recently had an opportunity to ask Christopher Colfer some questions regarding his new role as Non-Executive Director for online luxury brand AHALife.

At Net-A-Porter you saw its transform into a billion dollar company, and as Dunhill’s CEO you turned big losses to double-digit growth what will you do next for AHALife?

A lot I hope! This is an exciting business which combines the right amount of art and science to create a unique online platform. This is a business with tremendous opportunity globally as it not only celebrates artisanal creativity but it makes it accessible throughout the world.

What’s the pressure facing international fashion businesses – Especially in e-commerce and for companies like AHALife?

At the end of the day it’s about staying relevant - relevant in terms of the brand offer, relevant in terms of price, style and relevant to your core customer. We live in a fast paced, ever evolving world. Staying relevant at all times can be demanding and difficult on a business.

What made you join the young business and what potential do you see in the online designer goods market?

I am a big fan of e-commerce and have been lucky enough to be involved with first class companies like Net A Porter and LYST over the past 13 years. Both of those companies were founded by people with extraordinary vision and belief and both companies in their own way were segment pace setters... I see a lot of similarities with AHALife

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLFER

Colfer is an international Chairman, Chief Executive and Board Director with an exemplary track record in multiple industry sectors including luxury goods, branded goods and E-Commerce. He is highly skilled in strategy, retail, e-commerce, business development and marketing. He was the longest serving Non Executive Board Member of online luxury fashion retailer NET‑A‑PORTER, where he oversaw the initial investment by Richemont, saw its transformation into a billion-dollar company, and subsequently led the full acquisition in February 2010. Currently Colfer sits on the board of personalised fashion marketplace LYST, Nude by Nature, Huntsman & Sons and Crumpler. During his career he has revitalised and repositioned organisations and brands to industry leaders. Notably, Colfer successfully transformed UK luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill Ltd. as CEO from June 2005 to October 2012 from a loss making company with double digit negative sales growth to an industry leader with year-over-year double digit sales growth. While at Richemont, he also oversaw the investment in, and management of, various textile businesses including Chloe, Shanghai Tang, Old England, Hackett and James Purdey and Sons.

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