Our clothes were sold on SilkFred’s website – now it’s collapsed

Rena Jessop and her sister, Jade, first sensed something was wrong when they suddenly could not access the backend of online clothing firm SilkFred’s platform. 

They initially thought SilkFred’s website was undergoing maintenance. After doing some digging online, the duo realised SilkFred had collapsed into administration. 

The sisters, who live in Birmingham, have been running their own occasion wear business, Honor Gold, since 2009. SilkFred started selling Honor Gold clothes on its platform in 2016. 

‘After suddenly finding out SilkFred had collapsed, I felt shocked and then quite upset’, Rena told the Daily Mail. 

She added: ‘This all happened just before a scheduled payment date, meaning we are owed money for sales already made. We spotted that many of the purchases affected were for our premium limited-edition lines, meaning we’re now short of some of our premium stock.’ 

Rena said SilkFred had helped boost the visibility of her business, adding that between 20 to 25 per cent of their online sales used to be generated via SilkFred. However, the duo have their own website and sell their lines via platforms other than SilkFred. 

The business owner said SilkFred’s demise had had a ‘noticeable’ impact on Honor Gold. 

She said: ‘The immediate issue has been the financial loss from unpaid sales, which has affected our cash-flow in the short-term. SilkFred’s collapse has removed a sales channel that consistently brought us a new and engaged audience.

 ‘Although we remain confident in our brand and continue to perform well through our own channels, SilkFred’s collapse has created both financial and operational challenges that we are now having to work through.’

Rena and her sister are now doubling down on their efforts to expand their own direct sales channels. The duo are also looking at future alternative retail and marketplace partners.  

SilkFred filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator on 24 October and then deactivated its online shop.

The London-based business entered administration on 29 October and is working with financial advisory firm Quantuma Advisory Limited to undertake the process.

Andrew Watling and Duncan Beat of Quantuma have been appointed as joint administrators of SilkFred. 

On customer refunds, the joint administrators said: ‘As a result of the administration, it is not possible to make any further refunds.

‘Anybody owed money by SilkFred is called a “creditor’” and you will rank as an “unsecured creditor” in the administration.

‘Creditor claims will be dealt with as set out in a legal order of priority but unfortunately based on current information there will not be sufficient funds to make any payments to unsecured creditors.’

For shoppers who paid for items on SilkFred by credit card and spent more than £100, you may be eligible to claim a repayment from your card provider.

Affected customers will need to ask for their money back under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Shoppers will need to contact their credit card provider directly to try and get a refund.

In a further blow to SilkFred shoppers, gift cards and vouchers for the company will not be honoured.

Rena said SilkFred’s demise highlighted broader challenges faced by Britain’s fashion sector. 

She said: ‘It underscores the pressures that online marketplaces and smaller fashion platforms are under , particularly in balancing rapid growth with sustainable fashion management.

‘It also reflects the competitive and fast-moving nature of the market, where consumer demand for both affordability and variety can make operations difficult to sustain.’

Rena said businesses like Shein had also had a major impact on Britain’s fashion businesses.

She said: ‘The rise of ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein has compounded these challenges. 

‘By offering products at prices often below wholesale cost and shipping them directly to the UK, these companies have significantly disrupted the industry. 

‘This has made it harder for smaller British brands to compete on price, undermining margins and threatening the sustainability of independent fashion businesses.’

Despite all the challenges they face, both Rena and Jade remain confident that people’s appetite for high-quality clothes made in Britain remains strong. The pair’s clothing has been worn by a string of celebrities. 

Rena said: ‘SilkFred’s collapse is a reminder that while there is strong demand for fashion from independent brands, sustainable business models, industry support and fair competition