Peter Caplowe
Co-FOUNDER
Peter is a veteran fashion entrepreneur, based between Europe and Asia with a deep understanding of the global premium fashion sector. His ability to spot trends, solve problems creatively and build substantial businesses has resulted in him owning and running premium branded fashion businesses in the UK, Italy, Hong Kong, the US and mainland China.
After discovering Evisu in a small design studio in Osaka in 1994, Peter was the originator of the Premium Denim category, launching Evisu jeans internationally with an entry price of USD300 when the highest priced designer jeans in the market (Gucci) were retailing for $150. Creating an entirely new category by a combination of storytelling, positioning and managed scarcity.
Combining business management skills with vision and understanding of the brand building process he was able to drive the Evisu ex-Japan business from a start-up to retail sales of cUS$100m without external financing.
Peter has developed a 360 degrees knowledge of the processes involved in building a branded fashion business. Running design to supply change management, channel management, building an IP portfolio, developing licences, sourcing collaborations, arranging financing and recruiting teams has uniquely positioned him to operate or consult on early stage brands or more established businesses that have lost their way.
Peter consults for a small number of premium brands and is a member of the BNV 100 – the advisory committee to the leading digital fashion business, BNV, having completed the Oxford University Said Business School course on Blockchain Technology in 2022.
Richard Hobbs
Co-FOUNDER
Richard Hobbs is a globally recognized leader at the intersection of fashion, technology, and culture, with more than three decades of experience building, scaling, and transforming businesses. Based in Singapore after 34 years in Hong Kong, he has founded and led multiple ventures that span retail, sourcing, brand development, and digital transformation, and has worked extensively across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Richard began his career in the fashion industry in London before moving to Hong Kong in the late 1980s, where he quickly established himself in senior roles across denim, apparel, and lifestyle brands. Over the years, he founded and sold several businesses, co-founded Asia’s first international branded fashion trade show, The HUB, and played a pivotal role as COO in bringing American Rag Cie to Greater China. His track record combines entrepreneurial drive with corporate leadership and advisory expertise.
In 2016, Richard founded Brand New Vision (BNV), where he continues to serve as CEO. BNV is developing a pioneering digital fashion ecosystem that integrates blockchain, AI, and co-creation to create new models of engagement and commerce. Alongside BNV, he also established the BNV Foundation, which focuses on sustainability and decentralized business models that empower both legacy and digital-native brands.
Today, Richard balances his ongoing oversight of BNV with selected advisory and fractional roles, working with organizations that are navigating business transformation or entering new markets. Known for his global perspective, strong networks, and ability to bridge creativity with commerce, he brings clarity, innovation, and momentum to teams and boards seeking to adapt and grow in rapidly changing industries.
Eliette Rosich
Marketing & PR
Starting her career in luxury jewelry in London and Hong Kong, Eliette is a specialist in event based marketing from strategy to execution. Eliette has worked with clients such as Audemars Piguet, Louis Vuitton, Paspaley pearls, and Bogner.
Bernie Thomas
BRAND & PRODUCT
Bernard Thomas is a brand, product and design consultant with extensive experience in the fashion and lifestyle industries. He has a proven track record of helping clients develop successful strategies that align with their objectives. He has worked for several high-profile clients, including SSENSE, Lane Crawford, Boon, Shinsague, Okini, Raf Simons, A. Sauvage, HNST, Matchless, QIC, Pringle, Master Dynamic, Marimekko, Underground, Alara Lagos, Daiwabo, Ellington, Hardy Amies, Dgnak, Sehmbi, Joyce and Tomorrow Ltd. Bernard regularly advises on brand image, product development, sales and distribution, trend forecasting, market movement, brand acquisition. He is involved in the development of a diverse range of projects within fashion and luxury retail. His agency Intramural has broad and diverse experience in design, product development, communications and digital marketing, working to ensure that the client has a well-rounded approach to their online presence..
Over the past ten years, Bernard has also worked on lifestyle and retail infrastructure commissions for several high-profile retail property groups and real estate investment trusts, among them QIC, Fosun International, Shaftesbury Capital and Shinsagae.
Working in Browns, London as Men’s Buying Director from 1995 to 2005, and as General Merchandise Manager for Lane Crawford, Hong Kong from 2005 to 2009, Bernard has accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise in the development and restructuring of merchandising plans across a wide range of product categories including RTW, shoes & accessories, private label, luggage and jewelry, F&B and a wide range of specialized products.
Benjamin King
Supply chain
Ben King is the Founder and Director of Kinyu SCM, a platform dedicated to strengthening supply chains for international companies operating in China. With over a decade of experience in textile and apparel procurement, sourcing, and trade facilitation, Ben has overseen the movement of more than $1 billion USD in exports and directly facilitated over $115 million USD in trade through The China Desk. His mission is to provide global businesses with a reliable, cost-effective local presence, bridging cultural and operational gaps with a “global supply chain, local attitude” approach.
In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Ben is a key figure in the British Chamber of Commerce South China, where he serves both as an Executive Committee Member and as Chair of the Supply Chain Working Group. In these roles, he has created platforms for industry leaders to share insights, conduct factory visits, and host knowledge-building events, fostering collaboration across a diverse network of supply chain professionals. His leadership has been instrumental in connecting foreign businesses with local opportunities and resources, making him a trusted advisor in navigating the complexities of China’s dynamic trade environment.
Ben’s career began in international trade and procurement management, spanning roles in oil and gas, e-commerce, and supply chain finance before launching Kinyu. With academic foundations from the University of Exeter and a master’s degree with distinction in Global Marketing from the University of York, he combines rigorous analysis with hands-on experience in China’s manufacturing ecosystem. Passionate about building sustainable and transparent supply chains, Ben continues to work closely with companies seeking to strengthen their operations and resilience in Asia.
Joerg Tybussek
ADVISOR
Joerg combines his expertise as a senior investment specialist (private equity, venture capital, direct lending, capital raising, capital markets, M&A, LBO, and IPO) with extensive operational experience in the consumer, retail and luxury sector. After working in the retail and consumer space for Deutsche Bank and HSBC, Joerg spent many years in private equity specialising in business transformation opportunities and growth cases in the broader consumer, retail and luxury sector in Europe (particularly German speaking countries) and more recently has held operational and board positions in the sector giving him a rare appreciation of the sector from both an external finance perspective and an internal operational perspective.