The Kooples open in London

Friday, 26 November 2010

French based fashion brand The Kooples opened its first of three stores in London’s Kings Road this week. Spread over ground and basement floors, the new 2,150 sq ft boutique is expected to bring an alluring rebellious streak to the Kings Road with the brand’s reworked tailored menswear for both men and women – undoing the traditional perception of separate men’s and women’s clothing by creating a concept that fuses both collections together.

Founded in Paris by three French brothers - Alexandre, Lauren and Raphael Elicha (sons of Comptoir des Cotonniers) - in July 2008, The Kooples is renowned for using authentic couples in its ad campaigns to deliver its very unique message; women with men, men with men and women with women – real couples of all ages and styles fully clad in tailored sleeves and slim fit trousers.

The Kooples, which is French slang for ‘The Couples’, has a real synergy with London, particularly with its love of Saville Row. Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons is consultant on the tailoring which is cut skinny and fitted with interesting detailing including subtle skulls and emblems on collars cuffs and necklines. However, the collection is vast including leather jumpsuits and biker jackets, lace tops, scallop edged silk shorts and skeleton printed jersey t-shirts for women and flat front trousers, leather motorcycle jackets, shirting and knitwear for men as well as accessories.

The brand also produces jewellery in partnership with famous rockers’ jewellery store on Carnaby Street, The Great Frog.

The opening of three stores in London will add to the The Kooples impressive portfolio of stores – it already has 110 stores in France. The second store is expected to follow at the end of this month in Carnaby Street with a third in St Christopher’s Place in early December. Selfridges will open a further two concessions in December.

Duncan Gilliard of Cushman & Wakefield (who advised the brand), comments: “Given the strong demand for prime retail property in central London, we are delighted to have assisted The Kooples on these three shops. We are continuing to work with the retailer as it looks to expand in both central and London village locations.”

http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/the-kooples-open-in-london-2010112610217