25 minute read
Opening New Doors
We keep moving forward opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
Walt Disney
“Opening perspectives” has been the buzzword of the past few months. Unfortunately, its emergence did not lead to any form of opening up, but rather the opposite. However, retailers worldwide have overcome the obstacles placed in their paths by the virus and politics in order to push ahead with opening new stores. Their concepts are uncompromisingly progressive, focused on hand-picked merchandise and carefully curated product ranges. They eclipse e-commerce with ostentatiously dosed appeal and embedded innovation. This elevates these stores above any brick-and-mortar vs online debate. They put an end to the dependence on brands and their availability, commodity pressure, and price erosion by transforming their concept into a brand of its own right. In short: retail at its most exciting.
Text: Isabel Faiss. Photos: Stores
“Our stores allow customers to sense, feel, discover, ponder, enjoy, and share an experience” – Ridwane Ettoubi Presentedby opened its latest store for luxury streetwear and sneakers in Dubai in December 2020 in cooperation with Level Shoes.
Photos: Presentedby He never wanted an online store. This mindset outs owner Ridwane Ettoubi as a true retail enthusiast. All three Presentedby stores in London, Paris, and Dubai celebrate an extreme in-store experience. In Dubai, the most recent store launched in December 2020, this manifests itself as a printed three-dimensional grid featuring interactive projections. The product range consists of exorbitantly expensive design and collector’s items such as the self-lacing Nike Air Mag and strictly limited editions. Ettoubi knows full well that exclusivity is booming. “Our approach is to offer products and experiences that are worth every visit. All our merchandise is strictly limited and highly exclusive. Our range follows trends and can vary considerably in price. That is what our customers demand. Our task is to curate and present the products as pieces that deserve to be treasured. To this end, we create progressive, fascinating, and experiential stores that blend original and fresh interior design with cutting-edge technologies. We literally elevate products through theatrical and entertainment elements to tell the individual stories of each product line in the most compelling way possible.” Presentedby, level shoes, The dubai mall, Financial centre rd, dubai/Uae, www.presentedby.com
Off-White/Miami A Swan Song to the Threshold
Photos: AMO, Off-White Virgil Abloh challenges the conventions of fashion retail: his new store is a communication proposal to the post-Google generation of consumers.
Flexible façades expand the limitations of what is spatially possible.
Few designers push the conventional boundaries of the fashion and design industry as radically as Off-White designer Virgil Abloh. Together with Rem Koolhaas’ creative think tank AMO, he has created a new flagship store in the middle of Miami’s “Design District”, which celebrated a comparatively quiet opening last year. As a qualified architect, the current creative director of Louis Vuitton himself had a hand in the concept of the store designed to elevate experience above product. As he explained in an interview with the architecture blog Dezeen: “Instead of us having dinner conversations at restaurants, I said, hey, let us put something on paper, let us put some skin in the game. What does retail look like and let us start challenging it. What does architecture mean today? What does retail mean? What does ground floor real estate look like in a world post-Google and Amazon?” The answer to these questions is modular. On the ground floor of the store, two façades can be moved at will to create different spaces. They fundamentally change the notion of a brand store, as they deliberately open up the space to the street. Abloh perceives his store as a communication proposal to the environment. Off-White, 127 ne 41 street, miami/Us, www.off---white.com
Celebrating premium streetwear and its increasing relevance in fashion: Jens Christensen’s Akenz is a monument to innovative fashion retail.
Akenz/Shanghai A Chance for Reflection
Photos: Peter Dixie for Lotan Architectural Photography Jens Christensen demonstrated pioneering spirit back in 2016 when he opened the first Akenz stores in Shenyang and Shanghai to present Scandinavian luxury streetwear in a multi-label format. When the newly designed shop opened in Shanghai‘s TX Mall in early summer 2020, the radical lockdown had just ended. For Christensen, it was the perfect time to look ahead with a progressive range and a new store design: “2020 was definitely a challenge for the retail sector, but also an opportunity for us to reflect. We believe that authenticity in presentation is important. Although we sell high-priced designer products, we all have a close affinity to street culture and hip hop, which is why we have designed our store accordingly.” Christensen expresses his optimism regarding current challenges by concentrating on products that transcend trends. “Our motto is authenticity over hype. That means staying true to our style, remaining committed to our approach, and showcasing unique designers. An increasing number of our customers are showing very profound interest in technical details and innovations in production, so we deliberately select designers and brands that are pioneers in these areas and are promoting innovation in the industry.” Akenz, middle huaihai road, huangpu district, shanghai/china, www.akenz.com
J1M5 Boutique opened its hyper-flexible store in Qingdao in October 2020. The looks are presented in movable wardrobes that also serve as fitting rooms.
Change as a concept: the store can be transformed into a catwalk, an event venue, or a gallery in the blink of an eye.
J1M5/Qingdao A Style Universe in a Suitcase
Photos: Various associates A playful exchange of micro and macro elements creates an ever-changing design layout that emphasises flexibility as the store’s maxim. The J1M5 boutique is composed of modules that can be transformed into gigantic suitcases, urban skyscrapers, or intimate dressing rooms. They contain hand-picked fashion, culture, and style elements from all corners of the world – some compiled in advance as personal customer recommendations, others conceived as sources of inspiration. The cupboard elements can be rotated and transformed into columns, rails, display windows, wardrobes, or entire cubicles. This allows for private shopping sessions at very short notice. Customers can put together a selection in advance and try it on in the walk-in wardrobe, so to speak. The store transforms into an infinite space where logic meets art. “The primary ambition of all modern fashion stores is not to present fashion as a consumer item, but to create an open experiential environment that allows people to share ideas and explore creative content,” says store owner Coco. J1M5 Boutique, hisense Plaza, Qingdao/china
Modo/Ålesund “We Challenge Their Impression”
Photos: Votton AS Håkon Avseth and Marius Ryste launched Modo, a landmark project in Norway‘s fashion scene, in 2020. It is a statement of conviction on behalf of independent retail, both online and offline. “I firmly believe in innovative, independent formats with deep passion for their customers and identity. I believe in the customer’s desire to be seen and heard, online and offline. This kind of service requires dedication to organisation, and I think that is easier to implement in smaller stores. That is why I remain a firm believer in independent retail,” says Ryste. He is already aligning the range for the backlash against the prevailing leisurewear trend: “We have been observing a boom in comfortable feel-good looks for some time now, but this segment has exploded during the pandemic. Analogous to the demand for relaxed clothing and engineered comfort, the demand for formal styles dropped. We are already starting to see the backlash to this on the horizon, which is why we are gearing our range towards knitwear and more formal looks for autumn/winter 2021. How exciting!” Modo, Kipervikgata 5, Ålesund/norway, www.modostore.no
The perfect backdrop: the architects of Inainn prioritised media-effective spots and sustainability. Modo was the signature project of the Norwegian fashion scene. The store’s team combines Scandinavian design with international brands.
Peak/Moscow New Powerhouse in Moscow
Photos: Aurore° “This store is my personal fashion statement,” says Sergey Tanin confidently. He is a streetwear pioneer in Moscow. FOTT, his first store project, still enjoys cult status despite the fact it no longer exists. Peak, his latest adventure, also received plenty of plaudits before it opened its doors to the public in autumn last year. This was partly the “fault” of Mariia Kachalova, who unites a handful of progressive, young architects in her team at Aurore°. They are currently involved in the most important lighthouse projects within the emerging Moscow retail scene. If you want to feel the pulse of this city, she is the one to talk to. She was also involved in Peak from the outset: “Most stores started selling their products online during the lockdown. Even Peak, a project that was explicitly founded with the intention of being a new hotspot in the city centre, had to be launched online. The whole design process took place digitally in a decentralised manner, which was a major challenge,” she explains. “Personally, I am fully committed to physical presence and its future viability in terms of retail. Premium fashion will be available offline for decades to come. However, in terms of interchangeable store formats without individual character, I can imagine that they will eventually be replaced completely by online formats.” Peak, Petrovsky Boulevard 8/1, moscow/russia, www.traektoria.ru/peak
Community hub with room for self-development: Sergey Tanin launched Peak in Moscow in October together with Konstantin and Alexey Mikhailov.
Candy shop for outdoor connoisseurs: Peak presents a product range that is fed by Sergey Tanin’s long-standing relationships within the design scene.
Maison Borracci/Bari With Passion and Dedication…
Photos: Maison Borracci …and, above all, a great deal of entrepreneurial courage and perseverance, the brothers Pietro, Domenico, and Alessandro Borracci decided to open a second menswear store in the southern Italian town of Noicattaro in the Bari region last December. A brave decision in uncertain times. “The current situation has hit the fashion industry, the flagship of the Italian economy, hard. Who thinks of buying clothes while being asked to stay at home? We were left sitting on unsold goods and the fear of never being able to recoup the money. This compelled us to reinvent ourselves. To meet new needs after the pandemic, we launched an online shop that allows us to serve international customers,” says Domenico Borracci. His motto: “Communication via social media, as well as the growing trust of our customers, has allowed us to translate our doubts into new opportunities, including this new store.” Maison Borracci, Via Tommaso Fiore 10, noicattaro/Italy, www.maisonborracci.com
Italian premium menswear as a family business: the three Borracci brothers Pietro, Domenico and Alessandro showed a great deal of courage by opening their new store.
Reduction as statement: Maison Borracci creates space for international premium sportswear.
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Unexpected qualities are the new standard. Today, any brand aspiring to establish itself in a product range needs an impressive offering. Simply delivering beautiful products isn’t enough.
The Gift of Delight
Euterpe Studio. Euter-
pe, one of the nine muses of ancient Greek mythology, is known as “giver of delight”. This reflects what the new “Made in Italy” brand strives to achieve with its bags: to delight the bearer with beautiful designs at affordable prices. The collections by young designer Sofia Nardi are brimming with colours and shapes, made exclusively of certified calfskin of the highest quality. Nardi considers bags to be sustainable luxury goods that should not be sold at luxury prices. Is that possible? Sofia’s entrepreneurial spirit provides the answer. Yes, it is possible. Beautiful designer bags do not have to be overpriced.
Euterpe Studio, Empoli/Italy, info@euterpestudio.com, www.euterpestudio.com
Uncompromising
Ina Kess. Loungewear, but luxurious: Swiss sports and lifestyle label Ina Kess focuses on the wearing comfort of high-quality materials, filling a gap in the market with timeless styles that also cut a good figure in a business environment. Elegant track pants are complemented with tops and sweats, as well as blouses and stretch blazers. The collection was launched in 2017 by sisters Katharina and Isabelle Staub. Today, the label offers four styles per year, manufactured in Europe and supplemented by a NOS programme. The sisters attach great importance to collaborative partnerships, and their consistent “no sales” concept has already convinced 50 retail customers across Europe, including Jelmoli, Globus, KaDeWe, Alsterhaus, and Rinascente Milan.
Ina Kess, Wollerau/Switzerland, noelle@inakess.com, www.inakess.com
Berlin Dream
t7berlin. Larisa Pitkevich put all her eggs in one basket when she gave up a well-paid executive position at a large corporation to pursue her own vision. t7berlin combines European craftsmanship with sustainability to manufacture essentials with long-term relevance from natural yarns. A special feature is the use of STOLL-knit and wear® technology. This 3D technology allows knitting, shaping, and joining on a single machine, thus generating zero waste. In addition, short delivery routes reduce CO2 emissions. The brand plans to add silk and cashmere-silk knitwear to its range this year, with children‘s wear in the pipeline for 2022. Currently, t7berlin only offers selective retail partnerships upon request. Retail prices range from 89 to 259 Euros.
t7berlin, Berlin/Germany, T 0049.176.627.32.803, lp@t7berlin.com, www.t7berlin.com, @t7berlin
Scandinavian Essence
Project.AJ117. The
collection from Copenhagen delivers timeless everyday essentials that combine femininity with Scandinavian cool. “The label is the definition of slow fashion,” says Antonio Bautista, who represents Project. AJ117 in Germany. “I was immediately impressed, not least by the soft feel of the pieces.” Project.AJ117 was launched in 2011 by Charlotte Vadum. The focus is on manufacturing as environmentally friendly as possible, primarily in Europe. The team led by Vadum also wants to assume social responsibility, which is why the tie-dye styles are produced in an Indian factory that employs socially disadvantaged women. At a mark-up of 2.7, retail prices for dresses and jersey shirts range from 100 to 280 Euros and 69 to 109 Euros respectively.
Project.AJ117, Frederiksberg/Denmark, info@project-aj117.com, www.project-aj117.com
Bohemian Summer
Maison Hotel.
The style embodies summery lightness, featuring eclectic summer pieces that do not lack feminine romanticism. “Dresses, tops, and skirts with prints and artisanal tie-dye designs are particularly popular,” says Antonio Bautista, who represents Maison Hotel in the German market via his eponymous agency. “Besides, customers are enthusiastic about the consistent use of natural materials.” Maison Hotel was founded in 2013 by Sami Macias and Amrit Balani. Style is not the only aspect that makes the Spanish label’s items so desirable. The prices are equally impressive. At a mark-up of 2.7, retail prices for tops and dresses range from 45 to 75 Euros and 100 to 140 Euros respectively.
Setter Trend SL, Madrid/Spain, amrit@maisonh.com, www.maisonh.com
Stay Cool
Yeti. Demanding outdoor enthusiasts swear by the robust coolers, cooler bags, and thermal containers by US brand Yeti. The solid handles and fasteners are designed to withstand any adventure: hunting, fishing, or camping in the wilderness. Depending on the model, the passive boxes, using cold packs or ice cubes, last for at least 48 to 72 hours without electricity. The collection comprises more than 50 models in at least three colours. Retail prices range from 24 to 699 Euros. Customers include Bstn Store, My Boys, Alike, and Super Store. So, whether you are planning your next road trip through Europe or a barbecue at the nearby lake, Yeti offers stylish equipment that keeps its promise of maintaining the coolness factor.
Yeti UK Limited, London/United Kingdom, T 0044.808.1697080, help@yetieuropecustomerservices.com, www.yeti.com
All About Pants
I love my pants. Designer Donata Facchini launched her trousers label I love my pants in 2019. The Italian is a veritable expert on the subject, having designed for labels such as Monocrom. She is still involved in collection development for a number of major brands. Her models are intended for self-confident women who are looking for pants that are a little different. Each model features a cool detail that makes it unique. For the coming summer season, for example, the label offers pants with jewellery appliqués, colourful prints, fringes, fine embroidery, or fun patches – 100 percent “Made in Italy” of course.
I love my pants, Fano/Italy, donata.facchini1@gmail.com, @i_love_my_pants
Fair Nibbles
Holy Shocolate.
Holy’s handmade chocolate not only surprises with completely new taste sensations and unusual flavour combinations, but also with the absence of industrial white sugar, animal fats, and milk. In short: only truly organic ingredients are used. The cocoa originates from a biosphere area in Nicaragua and is grown by small-scale farmers. To preserve nutrients, the cocoa is processed at low temperatures. This results in the chocolates containing three times as many antioxidants as green tea. The primary sweeteners are erythritol and coconut blossom sugar. The great advantage of erythritol is that it is not metabolised as glucose and therefore does not raise blood sugar levels, making it suitable for diabetics.
Holy Shocolate, Munich/Germany, hello@holyshocolate.com, www.holyshocolate.com
Luxurious Bikinis From Berlin
Janthee Berlin.
High-quality swimwear, exclusively manufactured in Europe, is what Janthee Berlin stands for. The collections are designed in Berlin and manufactured in Portugal using the finest Italian materials. Young entrepreneur Linda Hausser creates bikinis, swimming costumes, and beach accessories for women with style who love to travel, embrace life, and wish to impress on the beach. The young label, launched in 2016, has already attracted prestigious wearers such as Kendall Jenner. However, Hausser is dedicated to ensuring that Janthee Berlin flatters every silhouette. She focuses on a variety of styles, some adjustable, with a broad range of prints and colours: “It’s not about following a fashion trend, it’s about owning your own beautiful body.”
Janthee Berlin, Berlin/Germany, linda.hausser@jantheeberlin.com, www.jantheeberlin.com
No Compromises
Arys. What initially began with multifunctional tracksuits has developed into a hotly traded insider tip: Arys represents modern, urban style, gender-fluid and rich in intrinsic values. The outerwear in particular – ethically and sustainably manufactured in Portugal, Lithuania, and China – is eye-catching without ever being overbearing. Minimalist design meets deliberately applied style accents such as floor-length coats or jackets with kimono belts. Founded in Berlin in 2014, the brand is stocked by key accounts such as Bungalow, Lodenfrey, Braun, and Beams. Retail prices range from 20 to 290 Euros.
Arys, Potsdam/Germany, f.gerum@aryswear.com, www.aryswear.com
Slow You Roll
Manto. “Slow You Roll” is the mission statement of this masculine outerwear brand from Italy. Fashion should be manufactured and consumed with care and respect. That is why Manto relies on “fatto in Italia”, referring not only to “Made in Italy” as a geographical designation, but in particular to the know-how of the “artigiani”, who represent the craftsmanship and attention to detail that only a select group of textile workshops can provide. Manto collaborates with these “laboratori” to develop collections that are high-quality and timeless. Manto is convinced that only pieces that fit today and tomorrow are truly sustainable.
A.B.T. srl, Mantua/Italy, info@mantoitaly.com, www.mantoitaly.com
New Luxury Denim
Purple Brand. People to whom Purple Brand needs to be explained are not the target group of the New York label. Born in the hip-hop/basketball/celebrity community, the brand has become part of its fans’ media reality via social media. Elaborately washed and finished jeans define the interface between streetwear and luxury. With retail prices reaching more than 400 Euros, the brand confidently claims a leading role among fashion and luxury connoisseurs. Komet und Helden is bringing the brand across the ocean this season. “We are looking forward to it. We believe in denim,” says agency founder Henrik Soller.
Purple Brand, New York/US, info@purple-brand.com, www.purple-brand.com
The New “Made in Italy”
Distretto 12. With Dis-
tretto 12, the Hong brothers prove that second-generation Chinese families in Prato can do more than simply act as suppliers to big fashion brands. Over the past five years, the two brothers have created a menswear collection that has effortlessly positioned itself in the mid-price segment, not only in Italy but throughout Europe. The products, manufactured exclusively in Tuscany, are the perfect embodiment of what is known as “deconstructed formal”: plenty of jersey and knitwear, loose trouser styles, well-tailored shirts, and cool jackets.
Distretto 12, Florence/Italy, info@distretto12.com, www.distretto12.com
Up and Away
FPM. The acronym stands for Fabbrica Pelletteria Milano, a company established in 1946 that specialises in luggage, bags, and travel accessories. The collections comprise genuine design pieces: suitcases for the traveller who lives in the present and looks to the future. One of the brand’s star designers is Marc Sadler. His motto: “I travel, I think, I work. FPM is geared towards contemporary, itinerant travellers looking to reinvent their lifestyles in line with modern nomadism, aiming to remain in flux at all times.” Major e-commerce players such as Mr Porter and Matchesfashion already stock the brand. Now it’s time for a roll-out in the DACH region.
FPM, Milan/Italy, federica.fremder@fpm.it, www.fpm.it
By No Means Basic
aws twentyfourseven. The project
aws twentyfourseven by Swiss Design Award winners After Work Studios can be described as really exciting, creative knitwear with a large regional and sustainable dimension. In close partnership with one of the last knitwear manufacturers in Switzerland, aws twentyfourseven creates a high-standard collection divided into three selections per season. GOTS and Bluesign certified yarns from northern Italy and the Lake Constance region are processed in Switzerland. aws twentyfourseven taps into the zeitgeist with its modern and unique character.
aws twentyfourseven, Basel/Switzerland, office@aws247.ch, www.aws247.ch
Performance Underwear
Skenty. Breaking taboos and celebrating the power of femininity are the guiding principles of Berlin-based start-up Skenty. Founded late 2020 by Mandie Bienek and Luiza Philipp alongside product and innovation designer Olivia Pflugfelder-Jünger, the label specialises in sustainable and fairly produced performance underwear for menstrual bleeding and bladder weakness. “We use an innovative technology for our ultra-thin, three-layer membrane that is unique and requires no plastic,” explains Pflugfelder-Jünger. The products, manufactured in Europe, are Oeko-Tex and PEF certified, and the absorbent core also bears the Bluesign certificate. The underwear is seamless, available in three styles and seven colours. For now, it is sold B2C via the label’s own website.
Skenty, Berlin/Germany, support@skenty.com, www.skenty.com
Unconventional Cashmere
Brand Unique.
A project of two business partners who complement each other perfectly: Andrea Meschiari and Sandro Poli launched their label Brand Unique in Carpi, the heart of Italy’s knitwear cluster. Their mission is to add a rock & roll vintage touch to cashmere. The women’s jumpers are washed, dyed, or embellished with gemstones to make them unique. The collection is conceived as a no-season project and inspires all age groups. Prins-Juric is the sales representative in Germany. With the backing of Gennai Srl’s full-scale production, Brand Unique offers absolute delivery reliability and a high level of professionalism.
Brand Unique, Prato/Italy, fpini@brandunique.it, www.brandunique.it
Made in Porto
Catarina Martins.
Launched in 2003, the Portuguese shoe brand Catarina Martins excels in modernity. The label offers boots with bulky soles, as well as iconic cowboy styles that feature its typical washed leather in all possible variations from sleek ankle boots with elastic to beautifully embroidered boots. Modeist, the fashion agency of Timothy Hoferer and Marion Hoferer, acts as sales representative in Germany and Austria. Retail prices for the shoes, which are handcrafted in the Porto region, reflect their premium segment positioning. Retailers can also order B2B.
Catarina Martins, Leça do Balio/Portugal, commercial@u-summer.com, www.catarinamartins.com
Not Just a Label
Backsideclub. The first
Backsideclub collection was launched in 2019 by the Smania brothers from Venice. Alain and Gloe have been involved in design, architecture, and fashion since the late 1990s and founded Apache Farm, a creative hub on a former industrial site, in 2007. The idea is for people to come together and create something new. Writers, artists, designers, and musicians – everyone is welcome. Backsideclub is a product of Apache Farm. The collection blends Japanese classics with the street culture of the 1990s in New York and Los Angeles. It entails basics such as t-shirts, hoodies, trousers, and hats with striking prints in funky colours. The label also offers a limited skateboard line with a genuine “Back to the 90s” feel.
Backsideclub, Stra/Italy, info@backsideclub.com, www.backsideclub.com
100 Years of Excellence
Fedon 1919.
So, such stories do still exist. Stories that recount the history of companies, family-run for generations, that managed to evolve from small workshops into world-renowned brands. In this case, the story involves the Fedon family, whose rise began in 1919 in Vallesella di Cadore near Belluno. Here, the young Federico crafted leather spectacle cases for the local eyewear industry. Before long, the range included all kinds of leather accessories for everyday use: bags, backpacks, wallets, stationery, and even suitcases. Fedon stepped up its expansion plans from 2008 onwards, with the result that it has grown into a company with 1,500 employees, three production sites, and exclusive points of sale such as Rinascente.
Fedon 1919, Montebelluna/ Italy, fedon@dlpfashion.it, www.fedon.com
Travelling Soul
Genesis. The dresses and tunics are richly embellished with exclusive prints, are manufactured fairly in Bali, and combine French flair for style with Balinese joie de vivre. The Genesis collection, founded in 2015, is the brainchild of Valérie and Andrea Thibault, a mother-daughter team from a third-generation family business in Cannes. The retail prices of the pieces, made of natural materials, range from 149 to 229 Euros, at a mark-up of 2.8. “I believe in the potential of Genesis, because the collection is both fashionable and accessible,” says Daniela Michaelis, whose eponymous agency represents Genesis in Austria and southern Germany. Northern Germany is covered by Norbert Gresch’s Hamburg-based fashion agency. The collection does not have its own web shop in order to support stationary boutiques.
Genesis, Cannes/France, contact@collectiongenesis.com, www.collectiongenesis.com
No Chain, No Gain
Phonie. Musician Leslie Clio and entrepreneur Tim Lieser are on a mission. They strive to provide mobile phone cases and chains as true fashion accessories that do not harm the environment. The transparent mobile phone cases for all popular models come with a high-quality chain that can be detached and worn as a belt or necklace. The idea delights international retailers such as Urban Outfitters, La Rinascente, Printemps, and Baycrews. D-tails, the agency of Patrick Coppolecchia-Reinartz, has been contracted to tighten up the sales network in the German-speaking countries.
Phonie, Berlin/Germany, tim@phonie.shop, www.phonie.shop
Cool Classics
Shoohs. It all started
with ballerinas and loafers in 2014. Today, founder Bianca Kirchhof also offers sandals and pumps, as well as Chelsea and ankle boots. Some styles are classic, others more unconventional. The preferred material is soft goatskin in smooth, suede, or patent leather quality. All shoes are produced in Italian manufactories. Highlights of the season are pumps and sandals in leopard or zebra look, or in bright colours. “I was immediately impressed by the style and quality levels at retail prices ranging from 60 to 120 Euros,” says Niklas Rill, the brand’s representative in Germany and Austria. “I consider Shoohs to be an entry-level brand in the premium segment and an ideal complement to fashionable outfits.”
Agentur Niklas Rill, Düsseldorf/Germany, mail@maend.de, www.shoohs.de
Cuddly Friends
8AM. The parcel courier ringing while one is brushing one’s teeth is no longer a problem thanks to 8AM, a collection lovingly created by Martina Zepplin and Thorsten Osterberger. The two have known each other since their fashion design studies. Martina is enjoying success with her brand Rau Berlin, while Thorsten works as a fashion and lifestyle editor. He launched Heyday Magazine, an online portal for the 45+ target group, in 2019. All 8AM pieces, such as a two-tone bathrobe, are made of organic cotton. To date, they are available via the Rau Berlin web shop.
8AM, Berlin/Germany, mail@rauberlin. com, www.8am.berlin
