Hot on the heels of its “Happy New You” campaign, luxury London retailer Harrods is seeing an expansion in the ranks of its womenswear labels.
British couture label Ralph & Russo is the first addition of the new year, which sees it opening up its first retail space inside the decadent department store. “In a league of its own aesthetically and commercially, Ralph & Russo is an outright contender amongst the world’s best-known luxury fashion brands,” said Helen David, Harrods’ fashion director. “I couldn’t be more thrilled with our launch at Harrods of their first boutique, where clients can browse their extensive archives and commission unique designs—gowns, shoes and accessories.” Sitting in their shiny new 150sq-m space, the label forms part of Harrods’ “superbrands” hall, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dior, Valentino and Prada and is significantly the only British label to hold such a position there. Customers can make an appointment for the full couture or bridal service, or browse the label’s shoe and accessories collection, which is available for immediate purchase. “Our clients are modern women with demanding careers and schedules that don’t always allow for endless fittings. With completion usually taking several weeks, sometimes months, we had until now been unable to cater to an increasing number of clients wanting pieces available within a shorter time frame. The opening of our showroom at Harrods will satisfy such clients’ needs,” explains CEO Michael Russo.
And it looks like yet another brand has set its sights on one of the highly coveted spaces of Harrods. Tomas Maier, creative director behind Bottega Venetta, is set to bring his own namesake label to the store for a shop-in-shop experience. Founded in 1997 and partnering with luxury fashion force Kering in 2007 makes Maier’s approach to London a crucial transition for the brand, especially given his ease at uniting his vision with the capital’s very own unique rhythm. “I think the lifestyle we promote corresponds well with the London lifestyle,” he explains. “Over the next five to ten years, we will be expanding our wholesale and retail network internationally. It will be interesting to serve the clients directly in different countries and see how they respond to my aesthetic.”
As Harrods expands its “superbrands,” there can be no doubt that there will be even more in store for London as a global leader in the luxury markets in 2015.
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