UPDATE:The brand will offer mid-price points, with a majority of garments retailing under $250 with the exception of coats.
German fashion label Kapalua is preparing to launch into the national market through its winter 2013 collection, with the selling season commencing from January next year.
The womenswear brand has appointed Garland & Garland Fashion agents for the New South Wales market, with dedicated agents in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland expected at a later date.
The high fashion brand has been brought to Australia through distributor 'A Touch of Europe Fashion', which has also appointed Curran Showrooms for Melbourne clients.
Kapalua is owned by Miro Radici Group, one of the world's largest textile manufacturers with production facilities in Europe and Asia.
The Italian-German group has grown distribution to over 15 countries, 2000 retail partners and stand-alone German retail stores since acquiring the label five years ago.
Australian retailers have been promised a dedicated 50 piece co-ordinate knitwear collection which sits alongside Kapalua's main 150 style fall/winter range.
A Touch of Europe Fashion executive Albert Drumm said the relaxed nature of the designs, coupled with generous German sizing and quality, should appeal to the casual style of Australian women.
"It's always risky launching a new label into Australia with a winter collection," he said. "But our experience and growth of our European labels in Australia has shown us that the winter collections are have been great performers at retail.
"The fabrics and textiles are rich in detailing and volume, making the garments look more expensive, and thus able to command better margins at retail.
"The trick is to buy well, spread the deliveries with the heavier pieces delivered early for lay-by customers and ensure [retailers] display European labels in the window early to create that 'wow' factor and a real point of difference".