Calypso Rose of Clippykit named Entrepreneur of the Industry 2007 by the BPMA
Entrepreneur behind Portobello Road market cult handbag carried by Helena Bonham Carter, Debbie Harry and Jools Oliver now recognised by the promotions industry.
Calypso Rose, entrepreneur and creative force behind the Clippykit bag and range of PVC fashion accessories, has won the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award 2007.
The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award is a nationwide annual search by the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) for the UK's promotional marketing industry leader, from a sector worth 20 billion per annum.
Calypso Rose was selected as the winner by a panel of leading UK promotional marketing industry experts and business leaders, including The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry, as the Entrepreneur of the Industry 2007 from a strong, highly competitive list of entrants.
The judges nominated Calypso Rose to win on the strength of her innovative concept, entrepreneurial drive and business success.
Calypso, a 27 year-old designer, came up with the concept of the Clippykit brand whilst designing a bag for her photographs and mementoes on the kitchen table. The bag was so versatile and unusual that she was constantly being stopped in the street and asked where can I get one of those? After an initial business loan Calypso sourced a plastics manufacturer and subsequently put the bags into production. From a small stall on Portobello Road the bags were formally launched to the general public where they proved an instant success. In 2004, the range, now called Clippykit, began to achieve a celebrity following with the likes of Thandie Newton, Helena Bonham Carter and Jools Oliver being seen with them.
From one bag Calypso has developed a range of 25 products and sold over 200,000 pieces last year. Clippykit is now sold in department stores nationwide, and was a best selling Christmas product in Selfridges and Harrods two years in a row. This Christmas 2007 Clippykit will go into all John Lewis and House of Fraser stores. Because of the versatile nature of Clippykit it is also stocked in The National Portrait Gallery, Museum of London and over 300 small independents.
The promotional marketing sector recognised the potential of Clippykit as a key sales promotion opportunity with brands including L'Oreal, Babybliss, Aga, the Orange Prize for Fiction and, most recently, the Brit Awards all using Clippykit bags as part of their promotions.
The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award was created and launched by The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) in 2006. The initiative recognises both entrepreneurial flair, innovative business concepts and proactive business approach which has proven successful in the promotions and incentives industry – the industry which shapes sales promotion campaigns across UK and globally.
BPMA Chairman David Lebond commented: It's one thing to design, market and sell a product which consumers will love, it's entirely another thing to use that product to help brands sell their products as well. Calypso Rose has done both and proven to the sales promotion industry that she is an all-rounded success, astute businesswoman and a model to all, coming out of the industry of ideas, promotional marketing.
Shortlist for the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award 2007
The shortlist of five people comprising the UK promotional marketing industry's most innovative entrepreneurs has been decided by a high profile judging panel searching for the 2007 The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award, an annual initiative by the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA).
This shortlist was drawn up after written submissions were reviewed and interviews conducted by with judges including Michelle Dewberry, winner of The Apprentice in 2006 and founder of Michelle Dewberry Limited; Danny Bamping, winner of the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award and managing director of Bedlam Puzzles; Alistair Frost, Microsoft UK consumer marketing communications lead and Colin Lloyd, promotional marketing entrepreneur and president of the Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP).
David Lebond, Chairman of the BPMA and of the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award judging panel commented: “For a second year we were amazed by the exceptional talent which makes up our industry. The response to this initiative recognising innovation and creativity has been overwhelming and we realise choosing an overall winner will be a challenging decision.
The winner of The Entrepreneur Of The Industry Award will be announced on 19 December in London.