The Rise of Womenswear Brands Launching Men's Collections

As a reaction to men’s interest on personal luxury goods in recent times, several influential womenswear labels have expand their foray onto to the men’s market. An example could be seen at Michael Kor’s latest New York flagship, which stocks its new menswear line alongside its usual selection of accessories and fragrances. The new strategies implemented is calculated as part of the brand’s projection that by 2017, its men’s business will generate $1 billion USD in revenue. Other labels that have responded to the trend include Tory Burch – which is set to launch a men’s accessories line in 2015 –alongside Coach, who reported that sales of men’s bags and accessories were up in the most recent quarter despite a decrease in general sales. Across the pond, British labels Christopher Kane launched a men’s range in 2011, followed by Richard Nicoll and Jonathan Saunders in 2012. In 2013, the entire menswear market expanded by an estimated five percent, roughly one percent more than womenswear. According to Euromonitor, global sales of men’s luxury good are projected to reach $110 billion USD by 2019, 36 percent from $81 billion USD in 2014. While Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford are brands that have released collections for both genders, the question remains in whether brands synonymous to femininity can make the transition in creating coveted designs appealing to the opposite sex.