Australian start-up Shoes of Prey has secured $15.5 million in Series B capital raising from investors including US fashion retailer Nordstrom.
The LA-based footwear company has reported that this latest cash injection brings the company's total combined funding to US$24.6 million.
Earlier this year the brand rolled out physical design studios in six Nordstrom stores in the US and is also available to purchase via Nordstrom.com.
Shoes of Prey has confirmed that it will use funding to boost its omni-channel retail presence in the US as well as increase production capacity at its factory in China in line with consumer demand.
The company's co-founder Jodie Fox said that the investment will help boost its presence and strengthen its exisiting partnership with Nordstrom.
“We’re thrilled to have forward-thinking partners who believe in our mission to empower customers to shop without compromise.
“Our customers know exactly what they want in shoes, regardless of whether it’s in stock or in season, and we’re proud to deliver a solution that caters to that otherwise unserved need.
“The Nordstrom investment follows a number of acquisitions of, and investments in, innovative retail companies in recent years, and shows the company’s continued commitment to offering customers an unparalleled shopping experience.
“It was an easy decision for us to welcome Nordstrom, the leaders in shoe retail and customer service, to our investor group, alongside Greycroft and BlueSky.”
Nordstrom executive vice president and GMM shoes Scott Meden said that the custom-footwear brand is a strong alignment to its ongoing retail strategy.
“We want to serve customers in many different ways to deliver highly relevant experiences.
With personalisation becoming more important to how the customer views good service, it’s important for us to find opportunities to stay increasingly relevant.
“Shoes of Prey offers us a way to enhance and deliver a great customer service experience that aligns well with our strategic vision and long-term goals as a company.”
Shoes of Prey launched into the market in 2009 allowing customers to build their own customised footwear in a range of colours, styles and materials.