Ex-Pringle boss returns with online fashion label

THE former boss of Pringle of Scotland and Aquascutum is to set up her own online womenswear label with a launch fronted by model Yasmin Le Bon.

Kim Winser will launch Winser London on 15 February, but her website opens today for potential customers to register.

City retailing analysts said Winser was exploiting a window of opportunity, as the launch comes amid severe times for traditional “bricks and mortar” retailers, with the likes of Blockbuster, HMV, La Senza and Peacocks collapsing recently.

One of the retail sector’s most resilient successes in recent years has been online fashion retailer, Asos.

“If you are going to launch in retail, online seems your best bet at present,” one analyst said.

Winser has spent the past three years as a consultant for private equity and wealthy foreign family funds. She reportedly has backing for the venture from an Asian family.

Her Winser London products will also be available from Net-a-Porter, the online fashion store.