| Type | High Street Retailer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder(s) | Peter Simon |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Website | Monsoon Stores website |
Monsoon Stores are a design-led retailer operating two highly successful chains - Monsoon and Accessorize.
Contents |
History
Monsoon was founded in 1972 by Peter Simon following a period of selling shaggy woollen coats on the Portobello Road and hand block printed clothes from Rajasthan to anyone who would buy them. The original focus was always clothes with an ethnic origin from faraway places, including unusual dresses from Afghanistan and countries en route.
In May 1973, the first Monsoon shop opened in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London. In 1984, Accessorize evolved as an exciting and a strongly differentiated High Street concept for fashion accessories in an adjoining shop to the Monsoon, Covent Garden Piazza branch.
In May 1999, 'Monsoon Home' launched its first shop in Kings Road, London. The range incorporates the Monsoon look and philosophy creating an innovative and individual home accessories range. In 2001, Monsoon Baby was launched as was Accessorize Angels. 2003 Monsoon Boy was launched with Monsoon Men following in the autumn of 2004.
Monsoon has expanded rapidly from its London base. Today there are over 400 Monsoon and Accessorize stores throughout the UK. The International side now has over 600 outlets in 54 countries, including Austria, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Gibraltar, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, the Middle East, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and UAE.
In June 2001 the business moved to the “Monsoon Building” in Paddington bringing together the central functions for the first time in 8 years. The building, originally commissioned by British Rail, was designed by Paul Hamilton in 1969. Known as the “battleship”, it has been a familiar landmark to drivers on the Westway. Abandoned and empty since 1990, it has now been brought back to life and won the 2002 Building of the Year Award.
The business has since moved to a new purpose-built eco-friendly office in Notting Hill Gate, a stone's throw from where the company was first established by Peter Simon.
Accessorize
The first Accessorize store opened in London's Covent Garden Piazza in 1984 and the second in Carnaby Street in 1986. 1992 saw the first Accessorize store outside London with a store opening in Manchester. In the same year the first airport store was opened at Gatwick South terminal. Building on the company's phenomenal success, a store opening programme began, averaging 16 new stores each year.
Today there are more than 240 Accessorize stores in the UK and a blossoming international operation of over 600 stores (including some Monsoon/Accessorize dual stores). With its own in-house design team, Accessorize holds a unique position on the high street with its inspirational, globally sourced, well-priced and good quality collection of fashion accessories. Displayed in an original and impactful colour-bay design, the constantly changing range includes every kind of accessory imaginable; bags, purses, jewellery, belts, hats, scarves, flip flops, gloves, hair accessories and cosmetics.
Fair Labelling
Although Monsoon use fair trade cotton in their new brands, according to Martin Hearson, a writer and fair labeling activist, the Monsoon Store chain's claim to this practice requires them to incorporate fair labelling practices throughout their entire chain of supply.[1]
Notes
- ^ What Fairtrade cotton at Monsoon does - and doesn't - mean, Labour Behind the Label, July 2006. Page retrieved 12 November 2006.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
