Former fashion editor, Tiffanie Darke talks about artisanal communities that make up fashion’s history, future fabrics and her latest project – Agora at Six Senses Ibiza – an innovative sustainable retail experience focused on the story of luxury and sustainability. Agora is part of a new wave of “emotional hospitality”, showcased by the Six Senses, where guests are immersed in constantly evolving experiences and programmes celebrating music, art, sustainable fashion, spirituality, pioneering wellness, culinary exploration and culture.
What’s keeping you busy?
Getting the visual merchandising right in our space! We have opened a live magazine concept in Ibiza, called Agora, which is part retail, part entertainment and discovery centre. It tells the story of fashion and sustainability, and storytelling is what we do best: we are both from magazines originally (Vogue, Sunday Times Style). The challenge is translating that from the page to a physical space.
What new ideas or opportunities are set to become part of your future business fabric?
It’s all about experience. A ‘shop’ is no longer enough – you can do that online. We want to provide an immersive, experiential space that is entertaining, educational. And of course where you can also buy, or rent…
What are the biggest challenges you are facing right now?
We are in Ibiza for our first space, so travel is an issue. Thankfully the UK government green listed us a few weeks back so the resort we are located in is now fully booked out. But its still a hassle for people to travel.
Is there anything you know now that you’d wish you’d known at the start of your career?
Yes – and plenty we know today we wished we had known yesterday! On a macro level I wish we had been more understanding of the effects of over consumption on our planet. We are consuming at a rate that is one and half times greater than our planet can support, and fashion is the fourth largest culprit in that cycle. Slower production, mindful manufacturing, social sustainability supporting the artisanal communities that make up fashion’s history and future facing fabrics are the answer. We know that now, but we didn’t think of it back then.
Who have been your most important professional mentors / influencers?
Jonathan Leitserdorf is the visionary behind Six Senses Ibiza. Part architect, designer, visionary, developer, he is one of those true creatives who can make magic happen.
What keeps you motivated?
Championing the lengths some people and brands are going to to change the system. There are some passionate people out there with brilliant ideas. Platforming and supporting them is our purpose.
What inspires you?
Our location. We are on the shore of the beautiful Xarraca Bay in northern Ibiza. The waters are turquoise and teaming with fish, and the mountains that rise out of the sea are fresh, cool and green. If we are ever having a bad moment, all we have to do is look up.
A book you’ve recently read and would recommend?
Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. Its a scholarly study of mushrooms and funghi and their communication strategy (he calls it the ‘wood wide web’). They may well save the world! The couturier Iris Van Herpen based her latest collection on the book and we are lucky enough to have one of her dresses exhibited in the Agora.
Want to join The Collective, and contribute to the debate?
Email us at: The.Collective@lewissilkin.com