SYDNEY: Denimwear label Ksubi has continued to claw back from its collapse earlier this year, restructuring its retail arm to maximise sales.
The brand’s iconic flagship store in Glemore Road, Paddington – which has been in operation for the last six years – will be relocated to a new 120sqm site on Oxford Street next month.
Positioned within ‘The Intersection’ shopping precinct, it is twice the size of the original store and will sit alongside Scanlan and Theodore, Camilla and Marc, Sass & Bide and Willow.
Global brand director Paul Wilson said the additional space will allow Ksubi to introduce a bespoke tailor and denim customisation service. An outdoor courtyard will also lend itself to promotional events.
An in-store concept was still under development at the time of press.
Ksubi creatives George Gorrow, Paul Wilson, Michael Nolan and Dan Single are also working with famed architect Kelvin Ho on a new concept store for Westfield Sydney, scheduled to open in October.
While www.ragtrader.com.au reported that an interactive window display was to be installed within its 17sqm shop frontage, Wilson admitted this has now been cancelled due to “time constraints”.
The fourth-floor site, which measures at 78sqm, will offer fashion, eyewear and footwear products as well as limited-edition merchandise.
“These will be hand-detailed pieces that will only be available at Ksubi stores,” Wilson said, confirming the brand will have a total of three stores in Sydney by the time of its launch. “We are looking into new site opportunities in Melbourne and Brisbane and further afield internationally.”
Wilson declined to comment on which international markets were on the cards, although the brand did operate a site in New York prior to its collapse earlier this year.
Streetwear distribution group Bleach, which also owns Insight and Something Else, purchased the brand’s assets after it collapsed with debts of over $8 million in February.
Ksubi made a formal comeback at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week this year. It is now planning an event during New York Fashion Week in February 2011.
Assia Benmedjdoub