Retailer and designer Steven Alan is accessorizing.
He is launching a capsule handbag collection for fall. The six-shape line retails from $398 to $565 and will be available at Alan’s six stores in New York and California, as well as at Barneys Co-Op, Net-a-porter.com and specialty stores in Japan and Australia.
Alan said the handbags should represent 5 to 10 percent of the overall business in its first year at retail, although he declined to provide specific figures.
Alan’s interest in the category began six months ago when he was asked to design a travel bag for Virgin’s V Australia Airlines’ marketing campaign. After creating the bag, which involved hiring a team and researching tanneries and materials, Alan figured he might as well design bags for his own firm.
“After I partnered with Virgin [Airlines], I began thinking more about women’s bags and decided I’d like to do a couple bags for the collection so we can merchandise it together with the apparel,” Alan said. “It’s something that’s been on the back burner for a long time, but I didn’t want to start until I had the right team to execute it.”
Alan described the line as a “subversive take on the classics,” a phrase he also used to describe his apparel. Classic shapes, such as hobos, satchels and shoulder bags, all feature bridled leather and brass hardware. Alan equated the look to equestrian accessories.
Steven Alan handbags will complement the New York-based label’s men’s and women’s apparel. Alan also manufactures scarves, gloves and innerwear but isn’t planning to launch additional categories.