Australian accessories line From St. Xavier, known for its vintage- and Pop Art-inspired clutches, is planning a launch into home as it continues wholesale growth, with expansion into Bloomingdale’s.
The brand, described as being aimed at an “elevated bohemian” customer by chief executive officer Michael Shandler, is carried in Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Nasty Gal, Anthropologie and Asos among other retailers. It’s in more than 200 stores across the U.S., Australia and the U.K., with the majority Stateside.
The company will soon count Bloomingdale’s as another wholesale customer, when six of its bags become available on the retailer’s web site with the first delivery in July. It will carry the styles exclusively until September. A second order for October will bring the line to 20 Bloomingdale’s stores, to be located throughout the country, in addition to online.
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“We really look closely at everything that we bring in to make sure we offer our customers something new and unique,” said Erica Russo, Bloomingdale’s fashion director for accessories and beauty. “We are looking at two portions of the line — these beaded clutches that are really fun and then the more vintage-looking silver and gold metal handbags. So they really give us a unique point of view and we felt like they were things that we hadn’t had before.”
From St. Xavier has no direct-to-consumer business and doesn’t plan to get into that any time soon, with Shandler explaining “we’re not experts in it and we try to speak to what we’re good at.” Thus, the emphasis will continue building out the wholesale channel with a focus on the U.S.
The company, for summer 2017, will delve into home with jewelry boxes, candles and other items. The launch collection will likely total less than 15 items with prices in line with its accessories at about $100 to $150.
“I think with the line of products that we currently offer and with the capabilities of our suppliers, I saw this opportunity that we had [in home],” said design director Nataschia Holland.
It also follows the general direction From St. Xavier’s customers are going, Shandler added.
“I think it also adds to the customer [experience], especially with diverse boutique customers,” he said. “They’re going more into lifestyle products as well. It’s a line extension that’s not competitive to our existing product.”
The new offering could also help the brand expand into new retail accounts in the way of home and lifestyle stores in the U.S., Shandler added.
Farther out, the ceo also sees the potential to get into the wedding and events business with specialty clutches and bags aimed at that market segment.