Brian Phillips
President & Chief Executive, Black Frame
The digitally-savvy PR veteran founded his agency at Hedi Slimane’s urging and represents innovative brands in art, fashion and architecture.
Brian Phillips is the president of Black Frame, the public relations company that he founded in 2004 at the urging of designer Hedi Slimane , which represents clients from the worlds of fashion, architecture, performance and art. He is also the founder and creative cirector of advertising and strategy agency Framework.
Black Frame currently represents an array of clients including Nike, Rodarte, Opening Ceremony, Woolrich and Converse, to name a few. Framework boasts an equally impressive clientele list, such as Helmut Lang, Hermès, & Other Stories and Superga.
At Black Frame, Phillips has been responsible for the revitalisation of some of fashion’s most historic and coveted brands, notably Kenzo and Helmut Lang. In 2011, Phillips conceived of and negotiated the appointment of Humberto Lim and Carol Lim as the artistic directors of Kenzo and has advised on all aspects of the Kenzo brand marketing since. In 2016, Helmut Lang chief executive Andrew Rosen engaged Phillips to develop a new brand blueprint for Helmut Lang.
In September 2017, Phillips was appointed creative director of Garage Magazine, the art and fashion biannual owned by Vice Media. At Garage, Phillips has overseen a redesign of the magazine.
Framework received a Webby Award and a Titanium Lion from the Cannes Festival of Creativity for its work on the short film My Mutant Brain directed by Spike Jonze for Kenzo.
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Growing financial pressure and increasing competition is making it harder than ever for creatives to build a career in the industry. Here's how to better your chances.
How to Break Into Fashion When You Don’t Already Have Money
Growing financial pressure and increasing competition is making it harder than ever for creatives to build a career in the industry. Here's how to better your chances.
How Telfar's 'Bushwick Birkin' Became Gen-Z's First It-Bag
The Brooklyn-based brand's 'Shopping' bag isn't expensive, but it is exclusive. Here’s what the industry can learn from its success.
How Telfar's 'Bushwick Birkin' Became Gen-Z's First It-Bag
The Brooklyn-based brand's 'Shopping' bag isn't expensive, but it is exclusive. Here’s what the industry can learn from its success.
Sign of the Fashion PR Times: Black Frame Closes Its Doors
Fashion PR is increasingly diverging along data-driven and creative lines. For Black Frame founder Brian Phillips, closing the business will allow him to focus on the latter.
Sign of the Fashion PR Times: Black Frame Closes Its Doors
Fashion PR is increasingly diverging along data-driven and creative lines. For Black Frame founder Brian Phillips, closing the business will allow him to focus on the latter.
Traditional PR Doesn’t Work Anymore. Here’s What Does.
Designer credits and profiles in glossy magazines don’t move the needle like they once did. Here’s what small and mid-sized brands are doing to build awareness.
Traditional PR Doesn’t Work Anymore. Here’s What Does.
Designer credits and profiles in glossy magazines don’t move the needle like they once did. Here’s what small and mid-sized brands are doing to build awareness.
Helmut Lang Pivots Strategy Amid Layoffs
The once-coveted brand, controlled by Uniqlo-owner Fast Retailing, is shrinking its operations in a bid for profitability.
Helmut Lang Pivots Strategy Amid Layoffs
The once-coveted brand, controlled by Uniqlo-owner Fast Retailing, is shrinking its operations in a bid for profitability.
Helmut Lang Appoints New Editor-in-Residence
Alix Browne, the founding editor of V Magazine and former features director of W Magazine, succeeds Dazed & Confused editor, Isabella Burley, in the position.
Helmut Lang Appoints New Editor-in-Residence
Alix Browne, the founding editor of V Magazine and former features director of W Magazine, succeeds Dazed & Confused editor, Isabella Burley, in the position.
The Changing Face of Fashion PR
Twelve of the industry's biggest public relations authorities speak to BoF about the shifts upending the fashion communications business.
The Changing Face of Fashion PR
Twelve of the industry's biggest public relations authorities speak to BoF about the shifts upending the fashion communications business.
Shayne Oliver Works the Power of Fetish at Helmut Lang
The designer-in-residence tried to find an essential compatibility between Hood By Air and Helmut Lang. There was much that was true to the spirit of the original, but the execution showed how tricky reincarnation can be.
Shayne Oliver Works the Power of Fetish at Helmut Lang
The designer-in-residence tried to find an essential compatibility between Hood By Air and Helmut Lang. There was much that was true to the spirit of the original, but the execution showed how tricky reincarnation can be.
Op-Ed | Big Short on America's Dying Malls Could Be a Big Bust
The idea is that as retailers stumble they won't be able to pay their rents, eventually causing their landlords to default on their loans and, if it gets bad enough, triggering a big payout to the short-sellers.
Op-Ed | Big Short on America's Dying Malls Could Be a Big Bust
The idea is that as retailers stumble they won't be able to pay their rents, eventually causing their landlords to default on their loans and, if it gets bad enough, triggering a big payout to the short-sellers.
Fashion Industry Reacts to 'Devastating' Trump Victory
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Fashion Industry Reacts to 'Devastating' Trump Victory
Members of the fashion community, from Diane von Furstenberg to Hari Nef, share their immediate reactions to the US presidential election result, with many voicing defiance in the face of uncertainty.
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The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
