French brand IKKS is set to open its first store in London – on the capital’s unofficial French fashion district that is South Molton Street – in a move it says signifies its ambitions to expand both its retail and wholesale presence in the UK.
The 50sqm store will open its doors tomorrow (11 June) and counts fellow French brands, such as ba&sh, The Kooples, Maje, Sandro, Claudie Pierlot and Comptoir des Cotonniers as near neighbours. It will host the brand’s ready to wear, accessories, bags and footwear in a “cosy yet stylish” space.
IKKS: offers mix and match pieces
Its near neighbours are not the only reason the location works for the brand. South Molton Street, also home to the luxury boutiques that make up Browns, is a key cut-through for shoppers moving from Bond Street to the Selfridges end of Oxford Street so footfall is high.
Thus far the brand’s stores have largely been concentrated in its home market of France but it also has stores in Benelux, Spain and, more recently, Germany. Its presence in the UK has been via 11 wholesale accounts and, globally, there are approximately 1,000 wholesale accounts. Its turnover amounts to around €350m.
IKKS: targeting 30-50 year old urban woman
IKKS product offer is divided into Women, Men and Junior and the womenswear is targeted at a 30-50 year old “urban woman” who likes to mix and match to create her own look. “Although she enjoys toying with trends, she is by no means a fashion addict at all costs. She values natural fabrics and materials, authentic renderings, and a mixture of styles,” says the brand.
