That Dapper Chap: open menswear

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

OPEN closes its doors

That Dapper Chap shares his disappointment as another name disappears from our high streets.

It was only October 2014 when I wrote a blog post celebrating the fact that OPEN menswear had begun trading via the web after opening their first store in Stevenage just a few months earlier.

Last month the guys at OPEN contacted me again with a view to working with them on the SS15 collection, and I was excited to be involved with their apparent continued success. When I failed to get a reply to my emails I got in contact with a PR company that I'd worked with on an OPEN campaign previously and received a shocking reply explaining that OPEN are to cease trading.

It's a further sign that the UK economy continues to struggle and that while men do enjoy fashion, they generally look more to the internet when buying. It seems the age old chore of traipsing around stores looking for that perfect item still remains a bug bear for us men, who unlike our female counterparts do not revel in the experience!

OPEN was born in 2013 and was originally based at the Granary in Barking East London,the company was taken over by sports giant JD Sports who wanted to add a mens fashion chain to their armoury.

Designed to rival the likes of Primark with their low cost approach and Blue Inc and Topman in the mens fashion stakes, they opened their first store in August 2014 and a further ten stores across the UK in following months. Stores popped up in Bristol, Bury, Leeds, Manchester, Brighton, Hanley, Leicester, Glasgow, Merry Hill and Northampton. The plan was to open a further 20-30 stores a year which would have put an OPEN store on the majority of our high streets.

It is said that after the challenges JD faced with the Bank fashion chain, they made a decision to move out of the fashion market and focus solely on the sports side of the business. They have said that there will be a small number of redundancies and that they are in talks to decide what to do with the eleven stores they currently occupy.

After attending the SS15 preview in london last year I wish all at OPEN the best of luck with whatever they work on next, particularly Head of Buying Stewart Messer who took me through their range and whom I had the pleasure to meet.

Myself and Stewart Messer, Head of Buying at OPEN Stores

THANKS FOR READING

Open is now Open!

New British Menswear Retailer OPEN, Launches Online Today

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The brand new OPEN website, ready to use


Today sees the online launch of new British menswear retailer OPEN at www.openstores.co.uk

 Delivering a no-nonsense approach to modern menswear, OPEN puts design quality & value at its core. Focusing on the key trends for the season and essential wardrobe staples, their product offering is designed to appeal to men of all ages who take pride in the way they look every day.

Once of the Open stores popping up all over the UK

Inside the Open store. Lots to choose from


From the £5 tee to the £40 parka, attention to detail runs through every element of each product. OPEN was born in 2013 and is based at the Granary, creative space in Barking, East London.  Their experienced team designs and develops exclusive collections of clothing, footwear and accessories.










“We aim to deliver a simple no-nonsense approach to menswear - premium quality at affordable prices in a clean modern, easy–to-shop environment.” said Stephen Galea, MD. “We're excited to see how our customers respond to us.” OPEN’s store concept, designed in collaboration with retail design specialists, Checkland Kindleysides, reflects our simple ethos. 




The interior features a neutral colour scheme, with raw materials such as wood and metal combined with OPEN’s signature highlight orange hue. Clean branding and packaging all combine with the shop’s interior to make OPEN the ultimate shopping destination for men who crave a 'no fuss’ retail experience.


  The brand’s omni-channel approach from the start allows customers to engage with the brand in a way that fits their lifestyle. The first six stores are now open and a further 6 stores are planned to                  be rolled out by the end of the year.

FIND OPEN

WEB: www.openstores.co.uk

EMAIL: customercare@openstores.co.uk

STOREFINDER: openstores.co.uk/store-locator/

THANKS FOR READING!

OPEN: THE NEW EXCITING MENSWEAR BRAND

That Dapper Chap introduces us to the latest menswear highstreet retailer and looks at some of their value for money range.

Boots £55, Belt £12, Blazer £50, Hat £8, T-Shirt £8, Shirt £26

I was excited to recently get in contact with the guys at Open menswear, an exciting new brand which will throw open its doors to the masses this Autumn, both on the highstreet and online.

While its not a store for the dapper gent or the suited and booted, Open aim to deliver a simple no-nonsense approach to menswear. They offer premium quality essential pieces at affordable prices in a simple modern, easy to shop environment. And that's something that none of us can ignore.

Me in my #MVP T-Shirt

Shoes £35

Working on getting the basics right and offering an urban edge, Open are focusing on the key trends for the season and essential wardrobe staples, the product offer is designed to appeal to men of all ages who take pride in the way they look every day.

Red cable knit sweater £25

Jeans £25, Shirt £24, Sweater £28, T-Shirt £10, Shoes £55

From the £5 tee to the £40 parka, attention to detail runs through every element of each product.

Born in 2013 and based at the Granary in Barking East London, OPEN’s experienced team design and develop exclusive collections of clothing, footwear and accessories.

The interior of Open Menswear (picture courtesy of @Open_stores Instagram)

The exterior of Open Menswear (picture courtesy of @Open_stores Instagram)

OPEN’s store concept, designed in collaboration with Checkland Kindleysides, reflects the brand’s simple approach and the interior’s neutral colour scheme presents a modern aesthetic.

The interior features raw materials such as wood and metal in combination with OPEN’s signature highlight orange hue.

Boots £55

Red check shirt £24

The interiors of the stores are graced with clean, honest branding. No frills, no fuss, just a great range of essential clothing and high quality basics.

The stores along with their packaging all combined to make OPEN the shopping destination for men who crave that ‘no fuss’ shopping experience.