The Fuse Group Australia, which claims to be one of the “biggest suppliers” to music and film retail chain JB Hi-Fi, is now the Australian distributor for Spanish label Skunkfunk. The first full collection available to local buyers is spring/summer 2011/12.
Director of the Fuse Group, Steve Kulak, said the company's decision to stock apparel in its own general retail stores, named Title, sparked the move into fashion distribution.
“We understand that music will take us so far as will books and film, but fashion, it can take you anywhere,” he said. “We're very clear on the fact that this brand for us is possibly I think the calling card for a quite substantial expansion for this group in new directions all to do with fashion.”
In addition to being available in Fuse Group's six Title stores, Skunkfunk is also available in a stand-alone boutique in Melbourne's Brunswick and there is a store slated for Sydney's Surry Hills in July or August.
Skunkfunk brand manager Steffi Van Recum is also seeking independent stockists. While the label was previously distributed in Australia, Fuse Group did not inherit a stockist list and have started local distribution efforts from scratch.
“It's very colourful, it's fun, it's multifunctional,” Van Recum said of Skunkfunk. “They always have quirky ideas of how to wear a skirt differently or lengthen a dress with a zipper or short.
“It doesn't go with fashion trends that are happening. For example, beige is the 'in' colour this year. They won't fall for that.”
Skunkfunk releases two collections a year incorporating 450 styles each.
“Within the range they have Skunkfunk which is the women's range, then they have the 'K' range which is menswear, then they have SK which is the premium line which is more detailed, more expensive, out there in a different way,” Van Recum said.
Fabrics include recycled polyester, organic cotton, wool, tencel, leather and soya hemp, while retail prices span $19 for a basic t-shirt to $400 for leather jackets. Also on offer to local buyers is the Skunkfunk accessories range incorporating bags, belts, scarves, tights, shoes, jewellery, hats, gloves and sunglasses.
Van Recum said Skunkfunk is manufactured in China, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, India and Korea, and the label is stocked all over Europe, the US, Canada, China, Japan and New Zealand.
While the Fuse Group is content with its current small Skunkfunk stores, the goal is to establish a much larger flagship over the next 18 months, she said.
Erin O'Loughlin