Union Hires Kristopher Enuke

Kristopher Enuke is taking his denim expertise to Seattle-based Union. The premium-denim line, which launched over a year ago, recently announced that Enuke will be the new creative director. Enuke, who honed his denim experience at BCBG Max Azria and AG Adriano Goldschmied, is owner and designer of premium-denim line Oligo Tissew.

With over 20 years of design experience, Enuke will assume the creative responsibilities for global design direction and fashion events for Union, owned by Seattle Pacific Industries, makers of the Union Bay brand. “Kristopher’s fashion influence and couture sensibility will continue to define Union as a modern, forward-thinking brand,” said Union’s president, Scott Bonomo, in a statement.

Bonomo plans to grow the company into a complete lifestyle business with upper-end product under Enuke’s design direction.

Union has a sexy, sophisticated fit and a downtown feel. It utilizes European and Japanese denim, high-end finishes and customized details.

The product range includes jeans, trousers, T-shirts, jackets and fine-gauge knits. Currently, the line is carried in top boutiques and department stores such as Ron Herman at Fred Segal Melrose, Kitson, Henri Bendel, Atrium, E-Street Denim and Nordstrom.

While Oligo Tissew caters to an edgier customer, Union has a broader market base. “It’s going to be designer, but the target is a larger customer base,” said the Nigerianborn Enuke. “It’s a special item that [the customer] won’t find easily anywhere else.”

Enuke’s first collection will debut at the upcoming Project Global Trade Show in Las Vegas in February 2007. For more information, visit www.union-jeans.com.

N. Jayne Seward