Karl Lagerfeld, the renowned fashion designer and creative director of Chanel and Fendi, recently announced two exciting partnerships to expand his brand’s reach. The first partnership is with G-III Apparel Group, an American company that owns popular brands like Calvin Klein, Guess, and Tommy Hilfiger. Through this joint venture, G-III Apparel will distribute Karl Lagerfeld collections in the United States and Canada. This strategic move is part of Lagerfeld’s global growth strategy, as the American market plays a crucial role in the success of his brand.
Previously, Lagerfeld’s products were only available in the United States through online retailer net-a-porter.com. However, with this new partnership, Lagerfeld’s collections will have a wider retail presence in physical stores as well. The 5-year renewable licensing agreement does not include the sale of certain products like perfumes, cosmetics, eyewear, watches, and jewelry.
Partnering with G-III Apparel Group was a carefully considered decision for Lagerfeld’s company. They wanted to ensure that their entry into the US market would be a success, and teaming up with a reputable company like G-III Apparel provided that reliability. G-III Apparel holds a 49% stake in the joint venture and will be responsible for the development and management of Karl Lagerfeld stores.
In addition to the partnership with G-III Apparel Group, Lagerfeld’s brand also announced a collaboration with Children Worldwide Fashion (CWF) on June 4. CWF is a prominent player in luxury children’s fashion, boasting a portfolio of esteemed brands such as Burberry, Chloé, Boss, Little Marc Jacobs, and Timberland. This partnership will see Karl Lagerfeld launch his first unisex children’s collection for ages 0-16 in Spring 2016.
Pier Paolo Righi, the CEO of Karl Lagerfeld’s house, emphasized that the debut of the children’s collection will offer an opportunity to bring Lagerfeld’s iconic and edgy style to a wider audience. This move into children’s fashion is not completely new territory for Lagerfeld, as he has previously showcased his talent for designing for youngsters during fashion shows, often featuring young model Hudson Kroenig, the son of model Brad Kroenig.
These recent partnerships highlight Lagerfeld’s dedication to differentiating and innovating his eponymous brand. With the collaboration with G-III Apparel Group, his collections will have increased accessibility in the US and Canadian markets. Simultaneously, the partnership with CWF allows Lagerfeld to tap into the luxury children’s fashion market. By expanding his brand’s presence and offerings, Lagerfeld continues to cement his place as one of the industry’s most influential and visionary designers.
Useful links:
– Business of Fashion: Karl Lagerfeld partners with G-III Apparel Group
– WWD: Karl Lagerfeld to launch children’s collection with CWF
