Dune London, the latest U.K. brand to cross the pond, is set to bow stateside for spring ’14.
As part of its international expansion effort, the privately owned, 21-year-old Dune Group is slated to debut its offerings at FFANY in June.
In addition, Dune has appointed Richard Kelsey as president of U.S. wholesale operations, a new position. Kelsey makes the move to Dune from New York Transit, where he served as president of the Splendid and Ella Moss divisions. His resume also includes positions at Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. and Camuto Group.
“Dune and its sister brands are men’s and women’s lifestyle [collections] that are very well priced with a touch of London fashion and European flair,” Kelsey told Footwear News.
Retail price points for women’s will range from $60 to $120, with men’s priced at $80 to $180.
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Kelsey noted that U.S. retailers will be able to stock Dune products at the same time as Dune’s European retail partners and namesake boutiques. “There will be no lag time,” he said.
Dune, which operates more than 300 of its own stores worldwide — along with franchises in the United Arab Emirates, North Africa, Russia, India and the Philippines — also has its sights set on bowing a flagship in New York by the end of 2014. More immediate plans include launching U.S. e-commerce, as well as shop-in-shops in Topshop stores in Chicago and Las Vegas.
“Launching Dune in the U.S. market has been a dream of mine,” Daniel Rubin, owner and executive chairman of Dune Group, said in a statement. “I have always felt that Dune would perform outstandingly well [in America].”
