Kookai

A banner is hanging inside of Times Square, Hong Kong

Kookai is a French fashion label founded in 1983 by Jean-Lou Tepper, Jacques Nataf and Philippe de Hesdin. It has a simple philosophy: "to supply young women with affordable apparel for their wardrobes". It has stores in Europe, Asia, America and Australia. Its clothing line is generally characterised by French fashion trends.

Galeries Lafayette carried a large line of Kookai, Claudie Pierlot, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Lolita Bis[1] by Lolita Lempicka,[2] Plein Sud, P.J. Hohenscheid, and other European labels when it opened its first American store in Trump Tower, in September 1991.[1]

Target group

Kookaï's target group is women from 20 to 40 years old.[3] However, since 2008,[4] they have a line for young girls, expanding their clientele. The French fashion label is designed by a group of 20 individuals. Catherine Marnata is the lead designer.[5]

Kookaï in France

Kookaï has been featured in a number of French fashion magazines including: Be, Marie-Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Elle.[6] They have an e-boutique to enable women to do their shopping online. The shop includes size charts and shipping information. Frequent shoppers in the French stores, both online and offline, can obtain a loyalty card on which they accumulate points when they purchase regular priced items. When customers achieve a certain amount of points, they receive credit for their purchases.[7]

Ethical behaviour

In 1996, Kookaï joined the Vivarte Group and subsequently signed an Ethical Charter to ensure that the products sold in Kookaï stores are manufactured in ethical conditions.[8] The label has maintained an ethical image through other affiliations. Affiliations include the UNICEF "Frimousses" operation that raises money to give children in need the opportunity to receive vaccinations. The label has raised money for AIDS[9] and Breast Cancer awareness.[10]

Support

Kookaï also supports students studying fashion and arts. Its most notable collaboration is with the Fondation Elle. With the Fondation Elle, Kookaï launched a contest that gave three designers the opportunity to create a small collection for the stores. The contest was called "Prix ELLE Solidarité mode".[11] They also hosted an eco-friendly competition for students at the Decorative Arts School. The students were asked to create window displays with recycled garments from the Parisian stores.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 French Retailer Seeks Piece Of the Fifth Avenue (Manhattan) Trade, New York Times, September 26, 1991, pg. D1.
  2. ↑ Filling a Niche and Making It French, New York Times, October 6, 1991, pg. 50.
  3. ↑ "Kookai Company Profile". Fashion Acts. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  4. ↑ Vautard, Céline. "Kookaï : la fillette s'émancipe dans les grands magasins". Fashion News Daily. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Kookai Company Profile". Fashion Acts. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  6. ↑ "Kookaï dans la Presse". In Facebook. Kookai. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "Kookaï Love You". Kookai. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Kookai the 1990s". Kookaï. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "Kookai the 1990s". Kookaï. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "Ways to Support Breast Cancer Awareness All Month". Yummy Mummy Asia. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  11. ↑ Deslandes, Marion. "Kookaï promeut la jeune création". Fashion News Daily. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

External links

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