London Calling
Ted Baker London store brings irreverent style to Scottsdale
By Richard Schultz

The Valley’s fashionistas have a new haven with the opening of the Ted Baker London in July at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

The British designer label is known for an innovative eye for color, inherent attention to detail and a quirky sense of humor played out in contrasting patterns.

Ted Baker London collections include men’s and women’s wear, fragrances and watches. Irreverent touches make Ted Baker’s merchandise stand apart — subtle embroidered details, contrasting trims and little messages hidden inside garments.

The 2,000 square foot Scottsdale store’s décor juxtaposes the essence of rural English country living with the wilderness of the Arizona desert. Textured walls are adorned with rough cut stone and distinct tiles, offset by chic, contemporary lighting inspired by the indigenous cactus. Weathered chandeliers add a natural, organic quality to the grandeur of an ornate Victorian ceiling.

“Scottsdale has been on our radar for years,” said Craig Smith, communication director for the Ted Baker Brand.

Ray Kelvin, Ted Baker’s CEO and founder, opened the first store in Glasgow. Starting as a shirt specialist in 1988, his plan was to deliver attention to detail in clothes and customer service. He became a mainstay of the London retail scene by 1993. In 1995, he branched out with Ted Baker Woman and Ted Baker Lite lines. A casual menswear collection, Born, was introduced last year.

The company went public in 1997 and opened its first U.S. store in New York in 1998. Other stores are in Richmond, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Orlando. Bloomindales and Nordstrom eventually carried his designs.

The company is a supporter of the LGBT community and last month the San Francisco store sponsored an event to benefit the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. Last year, Ted Baker’s designs were included in a Los Angeles project that raised money for a free meal-delivery program in of Los Angeles County.

Jan Bracamonte, vice president for Crosby/Wright, a Scottsdale-based public relations firm and local media representative for Ted Baker London, said, “the brand’s overall support for the LGBT community … varies store to store and community to community.”

In Scottsdale, Ted Baker donated a percentage of its first week’s sales to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

What you’ll find at Ted Baker London

The Spring-Summer 2010 collection is inspired by the nature of English country gardens and the heritage of British ornithology.

Menwear comes in bold, strong colors, like burnt orange and fuchsia, and floral-inspired prints. Checked shirts have clashing tones and classic polo tops come in bright colors. Linen and cotton blends create relaxed summer styles for nature walks or nightlife. Tailoring has a contemporary feel.

Ted Baker’s sizing is European; men’s sizes 2 to 7 equate to an American small to extra large.

For women, the collection includes tropical floral prints in clashing vivid shades. Poppy and butterfly cluster prints are romantic and nostalgic. Tangerine oranges, cornflower blues and lawn greens are teamed with feminine appliqué details, corsages or scalloped edges.