Fat Face
Next plc · United Kingdom
Fat Face (styled FatFace) is a British casual and outdoor lifestyle clothing retailer founded in 1988 by Tim Slade and Jules Leaver. It has been owned by Next plc since 2023 and sells womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories mainly through its own stores and website.
| Founded | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Tim Slade and Jules Leaver |
| Owner | Next plc (since 2023) |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| First UK shop | Fulham Road, London, 1993 |
| Website | fatface.com |
What is Fat Face?
Fat Face is a British clothing and accessories brand for women and men. Its range covers coats and jackets, dresses, shirts and blouses, tops and tees, denim and knitwear, together with footwear, accessories, gifts and homeware. The brand is certified as a B Corp and runs a charitable arm, the FatFace Foundation.
History
The business was started in 1988 by Tim Slade, a former policeman, and Jules Leaver, a business graduate, in the French ski resort of Meribel. The first shop in the United Kingdom opened on London's Fulham Road in 1993, and the name was taken from a ski slope in Val d'Isere.
Ownership changed several times over the following decades. Livingbridge bought a 40% stake in 2000, Advent International took over that holding in 2005 and Bridgepoint acquired the company in 2007. A planned stock market flotation was cancelled in 2014, and in 2020 a lender-led debt restructuring passed control to the company's lenders. In 2021 the business was hit by a ransomware attack.
Business model and distribution
Fat Face trades as a multichannel retailer, with a store estate in the United Kingdom, a smaller presence in the United States and an international online business. Customers can buy online and collect in store, and the site offers personal styling appointments. The Reskinned programme promotes pre-owned clothing.
Fat Face and technology
After Next plc acquired the company in October 2023 (reported at £115.2 million for 97% of the equity, with management holding 3%), online operations moved onto Next's Total Platform in 2024. The consumer site is now published by Next Retail Limited.
Why it matters
Fat Face is one of the best known British brands in outdoor-inspired casualwear. Its path from a ski-resort start-up through private equity ownership and restructuring to integration within a large listed retailer is a useful case of how mid-sized fashion brands consolidate.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Fat Face?
Fat Face is owned by Next plc, which acquired the business in October 2023. Wikipedia reports that Next holds 97% of the equity and management holds 3%.
Where is Fat Face from?
Fat Face is a British brand. It was founded in 1988 in the French ski resort of Meribel, and its first UK shop opened on Fulham Road in London in 1993.