John Varvatos opens first European store

By

Florent Gilles

Published
Aug 15, 2014

At the beginning of this month, John Varvatos opened its first European store. Located at 12-13 Conduit Street in a space formerly occupied by Belstaff, the store covers 10,000 square feet spanning three floors, making it the New York menswear designer’s largest store. The shop is located between Regent Street and Savile Row, neighboring the biggest names in European and international luxury.

The store houses the rock’n’roll designer’s entire range including denim, leather accessories and boots, ready-to-wear and suits. The latest collaborative footwear collection with Converse is also available.

"It made sense to begin our European development in London since we already have certain licenses here, including those for perfumes," said the designer. "The great thing I love about London too is people understand textural fabrics and tweeds - in the States, [customers] don't really get it that much,” he said to Women's Wear Daily.

In 2015, the brand plans to open its second European flagship in Milan, where it shows during the city’s men’s fashion week.

Purchased in March, 2012 by Investment Lion Capital, the men’s luxury ready-to-wear brand is continuing to push forward with its international development plan.

Since the 2012 purchase, the brand has opened new flagship stores in Houston, Boston, Miami and New York on Madison Avenue. Cristiano Quieti, a European and formerly CEO of Diesel USA, has been at the head of the company since March 2013.

He has led the latest expansion efforts of John Varvatos, which was founded 12 years ago. Future European openings stores are being considered for 2015, including in Paris. Also on the table are Bangkok, Mexico City and Toronto.