7 for All Mankind Moving Showroom
A move to the Cooper Design Space is adding up to more showroom space for 7 for All Mankind.
The premium-denim brand has signed a five-year lease to occupy 7,500 square feet on the ground floor of the 11-story historic building at the corner of Ninth and Los Angeles streets in downtown Los Angeles.
“We could have gone somewhere else, but we wanted to stay where the buyers are and shop,” said Andreas Kurz, chief executive of 7 for All Mankind.
Currently, the 5-year-old company has a 2,500-square-foot showroom in The New Mart. But 7 for All Mankind, based in Vernon, Calif., needs more space for its rapidly growing lines, which will go beyond denim. “We are poised for growth, so we wanted to have some room to grow,” Kurz said.
The jeans executive said the new space would not only house its high-end denim collection, but also showcase its More 7 T-shirts, designed by the Ron Herman Design Studios, and its licensed handbags and shoes. It is also planning next year to add non-denim apparel lines for men, women and children.
The ground-floor space, ringed by huge picture windows, has been vacant for years. “We have been looking for the right tenant to take that corner spot,” said Steve Hirsh, the building’s owner.
Previously, Tabari, a womenswear store, was at the site for a short time. Before that, it was occupied by the Bank of America and Mitsui Bank.
Kurz said the company, whose revenues are expected to be $250 million in 2005, is working on design concepts with 555 International Inc., a Chicago firm that created the Ron Herman store on Melrose Avenue.
The space will be reconfigured to have its principal entrance off the Cooper Building’s lobby. There will be a small waiting area or lobby, a large showroom and a mezzanine to be used as an office area. The nearly floor-toceiling windows will have at least the first 6 feet covered with some kind of material so that passersby don’t think it is a 7 for All Mankind clothing store.
The company plans to move into its new space in March 2006, just in time for the Fall/Winter 2006 selling season.
