LeSportsac
The
prints of style
LeSportsac rolls out BY HIBAH NOOR new designs for spring, featuring designs by illustrator Kate Sutton
T
he vintage look is big in bags these days, says a spokesperson for American fashion handbag brand LeSportsac. For leather bags in particular, the vintage-look color and style constitute a major trend, one that the company has developed with cotton ripstop and the photo-real technique. “The LeSportsac mission is to be a ‘fun’ brand that brightens up people’s daily lives,” the spokesperson says. “We always offer fashionable but high quality and functional products—lightweight, durable, hand-washable, foldable.” For duty free, where quick, impulse purchases are the norm, the spokesperson singles out the brand’s eye-catching, quickly recognizable prints, functionality, high quality and affordability. “The prints are different and we do add new styles, but we keep the main styles the same, so those who already know LeSportsac can make a quick purchase if they just like the print.” In Americas duty free, the Classic Hobo shoulder bag, Weekenders gym or travel bag, backpacks, rectangular cosmetics pouches and Kasey crossbody bag are current best sellers. The fact that LeSportsac offers new prints every month is a key differentiator, as are the brand’s limited edition collections which are always running concurrently with the main line. “The brand’s eye-catching colors and fun prints coupled with its utilitarian functionality typically have strong full-price sell-through,” the spokesperson says. LeSportsac has revamped its Artist in Residence collection for 2012 with the introduction of designs by renowned UK illustrator Kate Sutton. The styles are proportional, webbing has been slimmed down, binding has been added and brushed bronze zippers and detailing round off each entry in the new line. With a military inspiration, each of the styles emphasizes a casual feel combined with functionality and wearability. The new collection includes backpacks, totes, crossbodys and cosmetics. The collection is being rolled out in three prints. “Garden Pals” shows a handdrawn garden party that features cats knitting outdoors, lawn-mowing bears, smiling butterflies and flowers, and vegetable gardens on a soft pink background. “Happy Campers” is a take on French toile, showing a cream background with a textured feel and depicting beavers, bears and other animals engaged in outdoor activities. “Fairground” situates the active menagerie at a county fair, with the scenes depicted against a bright blue backdrop. In addition, two placement features are available in select styles. “In the Garden” is a floral bordered placement featuring the characters from “Garden Pals” and “Fair Day”—a selection from “Fairground”—showcasing the swirl bubble blowing elephant. The collection also features the “Daisy,” “Onion” and “Strawberry” shaped pouches captured from the prints. The assortment will also include “Fennel,” a soft military green. The collection is available online (shipping available within US) at LeSportsac.com and all LeSportsac flagship boutiques worldwide as of February. (The brand is also sold in department stores and selected specialty stores.) In the Americas duty free market, LeSportsac is currently building its business in Uruguay-Brazil border shop locations such as Rivera, Chuy and Rio Branco, and is also looking to broaden its footprint in airports, especially in Brazil. “We have great presence in the travel retail market, especially in the Asia/Pacific market,” says the company spokesperson. “We are considering expanding within the Americas, using c the know-how we’ve gained from our success in the Asia/Pacific market.”
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THE AMERICAS DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING MARCH/APRIL 2012
LeSportsac has revamped its Artist in Residence collection for 2012 with the introduction of designs by renowned UK illustrator Kate Sutton