To say we were excited when Jean Queen Donna Ida Thornton was invited to interview her good friend Simeon Farrar at The Industry London would be an understatement. We were counting down the days to hear what the mischeavous designer had to say about his famous friends (Cara, Jourdan, Rita), his business model (does he have one?) and his social media strategy (how DID he get so many followers?).
Donna and Simeon were joined by Courtney Blackman, Managing Director of The Industry London for a pre-interview drink in Soho, all wearing Simeon Farrar - of course!
The Industry London's Courtney Blackman, Simeon Farrar & Donna Ida Thornton
Donna models the Stars Cashmere Knit and Simeon wears I Believe in Furry Tails Jersey in blue
The Industry London members were out in force at Condé Nast College in Soho to listen to the highly anticipated interview - some were saying it was going to be as significant as when Frost took on Nixon.
Donna Ida girls Caroline Gill, Kristina Stuckenbrock, Natasha Cobham, Claire Etchell
Donna Ida Thornton, Rebekah Roy & Courtney Blackman
FROW at The Industry London
The Industry members packed in to watch Thornton vs Farrar
Donna Ida girls Natasha Cobham and Claire Etchell
Entering the room to the tune of 'Simply the Best' by Tina Turner, the glamorous Jean Queen and King of collaboration take their seats before Donna explained how she first met Simeon through stocking his premium label in her boutiques.
Question time begins at Condé Nast College
It was when Simeon took a side step into printing famous faces that as Donna put it, "when Kate Mouse appeared, that's when I really liked you."
Simeon Farrar's Kate Mouse tee based on supermodel Kate Moss
Speaking of his infamous tee, Simeon admitted that it came about by accident when he was working on an illustration of Three Blind Mice and named the artwork file 'Kate Mouse' - that's when Simeon realised he was a genius. 'Kate Mouse' Simeon said, 'was the first emerging of Black Score, and led to the whole collection of models gone wild at London Fashion Week.'
Simeon's next step was to create designer-inspired slogan Black Score tees to hand out at Somerset House where he bumped into one of the world's biggest supermodels. Simeon confessed 'working with Cara Delevingne didn't start as any kind of plan' but after he handed her a 'Tom Ford is my Home Boy' tee outside London Fashion Week, the relationship started from there and the rest is fashion history.
Simeon Farrar's Blackscore celebrity following
Donna quizzed Simeon on how his social media relationship with Cara started. Simeon answered; "I noticed she was following me on Twitter after I sent her 'Queen Delevingne' t-shirt. Cara tweeted me to say thank you. So I tweeted back to say 'dare you to tweet a picture of you wearing it'...I never thought I'd hear back but she tweeted back saying 'do you double dare me?' My Instagram following went up by 9,000 just seconds after that.'
Donna Ida Thornton asks the questions
After the success of Cara Delevingne (Queen Delevingne) and Jourdan Dunn (No1 Dunn), Simeon decided to make his rebellious appearance at London Fashion Week a regular occurance. 'The press we got from the first stunt was more than Black Score would have got if we had a stand at Somerset House...even though we got thrown out three times.' Simeon went back for the SS14 shows with his Black Score Rogue Models with his balaclava clad models showcasing his tongue in cheek 'slogo' tees.
Simeon also discussed the difficulty in growing his business admitting that he 'didn't want to grow too quickly' and that he finds it hard to delegate. "Everything runs smoother if I hand it over," Simeon said "I'm often the spanner in the works."
Spanner in the works: Simeon Farrar
Jean Queen Donna Ida Thornton wearing J Brand Leather Leggings
In true A-list style the pair joined the members for drinks and networking afterwords sipping natural juice cocktails made from Sassy Drinks and Brokers Gin.
Gin & Sass: from The Sassy Drinks Company mixed with Brokers Gin
Simeon Farrar networks with The Industry member Jai'me London Boy
Kristina and Claire both wearing IDA Ivy in Bright Vintage and Black Score tees
Finishing off with an after party, Simeon, Donna and the Donna Ida girls headed to a Soho Bar for a celebratory drink wearing Black Score balaclavas, naturally.
#BSRogueModel - Donna Ida Thornton and Assistant Buyer Natasha Cobham
#BSRogueModel Graphic Designer Kate Gorbunova and PR & Marketing Manager Claire Etchell
Read more about Simeon Farrar
Shop Simeon Farrar & Black Score
Read more posts from Claire Etchell
Photos: SamAtkinson for The Industry London
