MOVING INTO MENSWEAR

Debbie McDermott and her team at Velvet certainly never stand still. With the launch of a new menswear shop this month, they ensure they are one step ahead, writes Gail Bailey

Debbie McDermott and her team at Velvet are responding to a gap in the market for menswear, but more importantly, listening to the voice of their loyal customer base: “When our customers were in store, their husbands were asking when we would be opening a menswear department, so this feels like a natural progression for us,” explains Debbie.

In 2018 Ramsbottom ladieswear shop Velvet opened another retail shop in a beautiful building just doors away and when the upper floor became available, Debbie decided it would be the perfect place to open a men’s department.

After much research, and an understanding of what men were looking for, some key decisions were made about the brands Velvet Menswear would be retailing.

“We wanted the store to be masculine and reflect a gentleman’s look and lifestyle,” Debbie said. “While in some ways the new shop will mirror what we do at our ladies’ flagship store, we need the new men’s store to really reflect what men want.”

It certainly feels this has been achieved in the interior design of the new floor, with a wash wood finish, sporting memorabilia adorning the walls complemented by dark wood furniture. Alongside an exciting new range of clothing, Velvet Menswear will also be selling a series of men’s accessories from Gentlemen’s Hardware and clocks and radios from award-winning company Gingko and new to the market, amazing Moleskine glasses.

Some of the classic, exciting ranges include Premium Brand of The Year, Barbour, who are renowned for producing quality clothes with attention to detail. Alongside Barbour is a range of award-winning brands such as Joules, White Stuff, Meyer trousers and premium brands such as European Bugatti clothing, Fynch-Hatton lifestyle brand, Gurteen and Eterna shirts, and many more, all chosen for their quality, style and timeless good taste.

Unusual brands from Herbie Frogg and 2Blind2C, a Copenhagen company with a true passion for style and a history of luxury textiles in their suiting range, will also be introduced. To accompany the collection of men’s clothing, there will also be a range of premium quality footwear from Loakes and Bugatti.

Further demonstrating why they stand out from the crowd Velvet Menswear will be adding to the collection by launching their own brand of blazers in autumn. “For us the key principles are the same as with our ladieswear shop. Understanding the brands that will appeal to our clients is key – it’s not about buying what we like, it’s about us understanding our customer’s needs.”

Velvet epitomises teamwork and Debbie has a growing, dedicated team who will all rotate between Velvet Ladieswear and Velvet Menswear: “Whilst the menswear arm of the business will be new, we will be employing the same ethos that we already have embedded into Velvet. We believe in classic good taste, always using the best quality ranges and reacting to what our customers want.”

Opening this month and with a special launch evening, Velvet really are bucking the retail trend and going deservedly from strength to strength.

Velvet Menswear
15-17 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom BL0 9WN
01706 822274

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