G’DAY BNKR: A slice of Australia fashion comes to downtown Los Angeles next month.
Adelaide, Australia-based online retailer BNKR — pronounced “bunker” — is set to open the doors of its 6,800-square-foot flagship at the corner of Broadway and 9th Street by May 7, when it will hold a grand opening hosted by model and influencer Rocky Barnes. The brand originally planned to open the store last year.
The BNKR store is set to bow as other Australian retailers also make a bid for the U.S. market. Aust, on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, expanded its space on the street last year, continuing to stock its store shelves with Australian labels. Earlier in 2015, high-end label Bassike opened its first store outside Australia on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. There was also the first-ever Australian emerging designer showcase, called Fashion Down Under, held earlier this month at the home of Australia’s consul general in Los Angeles, where looks ranging from swim to evening were presented from designers Akira Isogawa, Steph Audino, Robb & Lulu, Pure Blakk and Ange Lang. The designer showcase is expected to be held annually moving forward.
BNKR, which also has a store in Australia that opened in 2014, says it sells the largest offering from brands such as C/MEO Collective, Finders Keepers, Keepsake, The Fifth and Jaggar Footwear.
“Opening a BNKR store in L.A. has been a dream since we can remember,” said Melanie Flintoft, cofounder and codirector. “With the growing success of our brands in the USA, it was only natural to consider a BNKR flagship based in Los Angeles.”
BNKR, once opened, will join a block that’s also home to Australian beauty brand Aesop, Ace Hotel and Acne Studios.