GHURKA EXPANDS DISTRIBUTION TO BARNEYS

High-end accessories brands Ghurka has added distribution of its men’s line to Barneys stores on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Glendale, California. The company now sells its collection, which includes bags and small leather goods for men and women, in 12 Barneys locations nationwide, as well as its two New York City flagships, Neiman Marcus, select specialty stores, and online via Nordstrom.com.

The brand, originally founded in 1975, has been undergoing an expansion and transformation since it hired creative director Kathy Formby approximately 18 months ago. “We don’t want to forget what inspired the initial collection, especially the military details, but we are trying to both develop a deeper narrative as well as merging lifestyle with fashion. It’s important that we really reach the modern customer, especially those who embrace a more casual lifestyle,” she says.

Prices for the collection range widely from $200 to $32,000, and materials include calfskin, rubberized leather, and exotic skins such as alligator, crocodile and snakeskin. Products are primarily made in factories in Connecticut and Italy. Numerous new pieces will be released for fall ’17.

While no new permanent stores in the U.S. are planned for the remainder of 2017, the brand is considering some pop-up stores, says Drew Sheeran, vice president of global sales, and is also concentrating on expanding its international distributions.