June 21, 2023 |
Christopher Kane, the Scotsman who has long been heralded as one of the most gifted designers operating out of our shores, has announced today that his namesake label is set to close.
WWD broke the news Wednesday afternoon that the company’s board has called in administrators to wind down operations as the business. The brand and business are now both up for sale.
“This difficult decision has been reached to give the company sufficient time to implement a rescue plan,” said the brand. “Key stakeholders have been notified. A period of accelerated marketing activity will now follow, with a view to locating potential interested parties to either refinance the company’s existing debt, or alternatively locate a purchaser for the business and assets.”
Founded in 2006, Kane quickly emerged as of one of the most exciting names to show during London Fashion Week. His subversive takes on feminine dress, which often lean into fetish and kink, and have looked to outer space and human anatomy for inspiration, landed him in the eye of luxury conglomerate Kering, who acquired a 51 per cent stake of the business in 2013. Prior to this, he was hired by Donatella Versace to head up Versace’s Versus line in 2009, and also designed collections for high street giant Topshop.
The brand has faced a slew of financial troubles in recent years. Kane bought back his label in 2018 from Kering, and despite the success of the brand’s More Joy subsidiary line, was forced to close its Mount Street store in 2020 following the effect of the pandemic.
Kane returned to the catwalk in September of last year with a show at Camden’s Roundhouse, and in February staged a collection inspired by the working class heroines of his youth.
Photograph courtesy of Christopher Kane.
