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353:", French Connection's use of "fcuk" caused widespread controversy. In addition, there was heavy criticism that French Connection and other advertisers are "free to put up offensive posters, gain huge impact from them, and then - when they are ordered down (often after the campaign has run its course) - to notch up even more publicity". Following a number of complaints about advertising campaigns using the initialism, the UK's
452:
French
Connection distributes its branded womenswear and menswear through a network of owned stores, through franchised stores in major markets around the world, through concessions in department stores in the UK and also through other multi-brand retailers. French Connection also has a variety of
422:
French
Connection stopped using the initialism in advertising in 2005, and reduced its profile in its shops. However it is still used on certain menswear products and in-store branding. Despite this lowering of the profile, French Connection remains known as "fcuk", particularly by the UK press.
372:
challenging the owner of "First
Consultants UK Ltd", a computer company, over its use of the "fcuk" initialism. The case found that the Internet Domain fcuk.com was registered prior to French Connection applying for the UK Trademark and its claim for passing off was dismissed. Mr Justice Rattee
301:
On the 5th
February 2021 the company made a regulatory announcement that The Board of French Connection Group Plc notes the recent share price movement and confirms that it has received separate approaches from each of Spotlight Brands in conjunction with Gordon Brothers International LLC
249:
French
Connection distributes its clothing and accessories through its own stores in the UK, US and Canada and through franchise and wholesale arrangements globally. The company became notorious for the use of the "fcuk" initialism in its advertising campaigns in the early 2000s.
431:
While the revival of the UK brand's fortunes in the 1990s has been attributed to the success of the FCUK logo, it has had mixed financial fortunes during the 2000s, reflected in its poor share prices in the UK. After reportedly losing market share to rivals such as
423:
Example of use in UK press in 2013: "FCUK marketing says first black and white shoot for brand by photographer Rankin is in line with its 'edgy' image". In 2016 it was reported that French
Connection was to bring back its FCUK slogan campaign.
469:
French
Connection represents the majority of French Connection Group's revenue (some 88 per cent in 2014), however it owns a number of other clothing/homewear brands, including YMC, Great Plains and TOAST. Toast now has twelve UK stores.
302:("Spotlight") and Go Global Retail in conjunction with HMJ International Services Ltd ("Go Global") as potential offerors for French Connection Group Plc, each of which may or may not result in an offer for the company.
333:
and London offices, headed "FCHK to FCUK". Marks said in a subsequent interview that the faxes were not intended to be rude. The advertising campaign came about after he was so impressed by a bra advert featuring
444:– with some analysts suggesting its pricing was out of step with other competitor brands – its position improved in 2014. As of 2014 the French Connection brand had 131 stores in the UK and Europe.
342:, even though the company did not have a budget for an advertising campaign at the time. It was Beattie who spotted the marketing potential of the initialism and a campaign was launched around it.
298:
In 2017, French
Connection appointed two new independent directors, after facing pressure from investors. In February 2017, Sports Direct bought Schroders' 11% stake in French Connection.
912:
295:
in 1984, he was listed as the 15th richest man in
Britain, but by the late 1980s the company was in trouble. He took control of the direction of French Connection again in 1991.
377:, describing French Connection's use of the initialism as "a tasteless and obnoxious campaign." The company threatened legal action against the political youth organisation
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550:
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licensed products, including eyeglasses, sunglasses, toiletries, shoes, jewellery and watches, which are sold through its own stores and specialist retailers, such as
288:
joined French
Connection as a designer. In 1983, her eponymous higher-end label was launched by the French Connection parent group and this was not sold until 2010.
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329:" (usually written in lowercase) in advertising after 1991 when Marks regained control. Reportedly, the first use of the initialism was on faxes sent between
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was released. Initially designed as a mid-market women's brand, he has said the name came about because he managed to acquire a large shipment of Indian
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The success of the branding in raising French Connection's profile led to similar tactics from other organisations. French Connection launched a
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Stephen Marks, who started out in business in 1969 as the Stephen Marks brand, established French Connection in 1972 – a year after the
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Fcuk Friction Her and Friction Him (2012) – Women's perfume includes notes of coconut and vanilla, men's includes citrus.
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requested that the company submit all poster campaigns for approval before running them. In the United States, the
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French Connection has produced perfumes as an extension to the main clothing brand. This is a partial list
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Fcuk Her and Fcuk Him (2003) – Original women's perfume by Zirh/Shiseido and men's perfume by James Krivda.
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Fcuk Connect Her and Fcuk Connect Him (2007) – Men's and women's ranges with base notes including musk.
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Other brands currently within the group include Great Plains, Toast and YMC. Former brands include
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Eau de Fcuk No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 – men's range introduced 2000 and women's perfumes in 2001.
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clothing, accessories and homeware. Founded in the early 1970s by
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French Connection Investor Relations – Fashion is our business
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that he contacted the advertising executive behind it,
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After Marks floated the French Connection brand on the
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Companies target teens with "Scent to Bed" ad campaign
689:"Why French Connection is a brand in trouble | YouGov"
615:"French Connection sells Nicole Farhi as losses mount"
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Watch manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom
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246:. It was acquired by MIP Holdings Ltd in 2021.
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745:. OUT-LAW, Pinsent Masons. 13 July 2004.
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911:Ruddick, Graham (18 September 2014).
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854:, 1999-12-03. Retrieved on 2007-07-15
790:, 2001-04-04. Retrieved on 2007-07-15
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639:Armistead, Louise (20 October 2013).
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979:Geoghegan, Jill (1 October 2014).
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743:"French letters made safer by CAP"
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361:urged a boycott of fcuk products.
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1420:Clothing companies of England
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529:"French Connection Group PLC"
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388:A French Connection store in
277:. The business expanded into
969:, Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
888:International Business Times
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812:American Family Association
782:Time called on FCUK posters
613:Wood, Zoe (15 March 2010).
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961:23 January 2011 at the
587:fashionencyclopedia.com
218:) is a UK-based global
718:"Oh so pretty blatant"
589:. Fashion Encyclopedia
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293:London Stock Exchange
267:film of the same name
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937:. BBC. 14 April 2014
373:refused to grant an
192:frenchconnection.com
956:"Licensed Products"
583:"French Connection"
448:Worldwide operation
379:Conservative Future
230:who also serves as
179:Number of employees
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805:2007-07-15 at the
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915:. Daily Telegraph
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370:London High Court
238:, it is based in
210:(also branded as
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1075:Mike Ashley
893:22 February
561:29 December
271:cheesecloth
109:Area served
1409:Categories
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1318:Miss Fiori
1208:Missguided
1163:Jack Wills
499:References
459:Specsavers
413:Sweatpants
375:injunction
347:taboo word
133:Key people
1338:Slazenger
1273:GoldDigga
1181:Sweatshop
1077:(founder)
987:1 October
983:. Drapers
941:1 October
919:1 October
764:1 October
727:1 October
647:1 October
624:1 October
593:1 October
535:1 October
331:Hong Kong
284:In 1978,
281:in 1976.
1382:Republic
1326:Mulberry
1322:Muddyfox
1305:Lonsdale
1295:Karrimor
1285:Hot Tuna
1264:Firetrap
1259:Everlast
1168:Sofa.com
1133:Flannels
1128:Firetrap
959:Archived
869:BBC News
851:BBC News
803:Archived
787:BBC News
667:BBC News
474:Perfumes
279:menswear
232:chairman
220:retailer
159:Clothing
155:Products
80:Clothing
76:Industry
1348:USA Pro
1345:SoulCal
1342:Sondico
1333:No Fear
1300:LA Gear
1249:Carlton
1240:Airwalk
1153:Heatons
438:Topshop
224:fashion
188:Website
166:Revenue
86:Founded
1329:Nevica
1290:Kangol
1269:Gelert
1254:Donnay
1218:Studio
1185:Tri UK
1148:Gelert
1090:Brands
698:22 May
673:22 May
417:Dublin
394:Canada
320:London
275:profit
240:London
173:(2014)
122:Canada
98:London
1387:Umbro
455:Boots
1315:Miso
1143:Game
989:2014
943:2014
921:2014
895:2016
766:2014
729:2014
700:2020
675:2020
649:2014
626:2014
595:2014
563:2018
537:2014
457:and
442:ASOS
440:and
434:Zara
351:fuck
327:fcuk
234:and
216:fcuk
212:FCUK
89:1972
33:Fuck
18:FCUK
1280:Gul
1204:Ace
1189:USC
1108:EAG
415:in
214:or
171:GBP
150:COO
146:CFO
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965:,
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848:,
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