Henri-Lloyd: not one for just cruisin'
So with this in mind, Burke - the Australian distributor of the international brand - has signed a unique deal with Hayman Island Retail Boutique in Queenland's Great Barrier Reef to become its official merchandise supplier.
Burke business development manager Fran Burke said the deal meant the label would now become the exclusive supplier of all Hayman-branded apparel on the island including polos, men's and women's knits, pants and T-shirts.
The relationship between the resort and the apparel brand was formed early last year after Burke unveiled the brand's inaugural Australasian collection on the island last May. The brand has since shot two catalogues at the luxurious resort. The pair also collaborated on a consumer competition for the label's new spring/summer 2006/07 collection which will see those who tried a piece from the new range enter into a draw to win a $1000 Henri-Lloyd wardrobe, together with an all-expenses-paid trip to the island.
Burke would not disclose the value of the merchandise deal, admitting only "it was good".
"It was more of a case of brand alliance. We did the launch, did the shoot, we did the retailing and now we're doing the merchandising. We're on the same wavelength."
It is understood the new venture will result in the retail store following the path of others around the world by being redesigned with Henri-Lloyd colours and fitouts specially imported from its UK headquarters. However a decision on what detail this would include was unlikely to be made until the next stock drop in August.
The venture comes at a busy time for the brand, which aside from expanding its range to include new streetwear-style footwear, is also considering opening a second retail store in Sydney within the next 12 months.
Alongside its existing concept store in Sydney's Mosman, the brand has more than 30 stockists across New Zealand and Australia and is also sold extensively throughout the US, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Korea, Norway, Spain, Scotland, Greece, Portugal and Ireland.