MELBOURNE: Footwear brand Tony Bianco has battled on through the collapse of one of its clients, with two new acquisitions and a flagship store set to open next month.
As exclusively reported on www.ragtrader.com.au, footwear group Figgins Holdings was placed into voluntary liquidation last month. According to newly available documents from liquidator G S Andrews and Associates, Bianco Imports was a secured creditor of the retail group and owed close to $350,000.
Tony Bianco spokesperson Simone Marshall said the company was trading on, taking over two Figgins Holdings’ operated stores in Melbourne Central and Highpoint. Figgins operated Mollini, Midas and Scooter prior to its collapse.
“Tony Bianco was offered two of the Scooter stores,” Marshall said. “For the time being, they will remain Scooter before being transformed into full-blown Tony Bianco retail outlets sometime down the track. Both locations have great traffic flow and are ideal for the brand to continue its expansion.”
Tony Bianco currently operates outlet stores across South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT and has over 100 wholesale accounts nationally. It will launch a full-priced flagship store in Prahran during the second week of April.
The store is around 110sqm and positioned in close proximity to “edgy brands” such as White Suede, Alphaville and Gorman, Marshall said.
Tony Bianco has invested in architectural firm Herbert & Mason – which counts Scanlan & Theodore, Ksubi and Mimco among its clients – for both the design and layout of the store.
“The store is really something else and will set a new bar for footwear retailers and the way they present footwear on a retail level,” Marshall said.
Tony Bianco was launched in 1972 and is operated by Anthony and Adam Bianco. The brand enlisted Australian actress Jodi Gordon to front its autumn/winter and spring/summer 2010 campaign.
The Tony Bianco flagship store will be located on 252 Chapel Street.
Assia Benmedjdoub