Indie menswear firm Master Debonair's London store to open this month

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Nov 5, 2018

Indie menswear retailer Master Debonair is planning major expansion in 2019 but ahead of that will this month open a store in London. The opening will come as it plans to launch a branded suit collection in December and more stores next year.

The two-year-old brand, which was founded by Simon and Eve Whitaker, is based in North East England where it employs 25 people in its flagship store and its HQ/showroom/distribution centre.

The new London shop will take advantage of the fast development of upscale fashion retail in East London with an opening at 49 Commercial Street, not far from Old Spitalfields Market.

It will feature the retailer’s complete range from its suits to outerwear, shoes and accessories.

And that opening is expected to make a significant impact on overall company turnover which should rise from the current £2 million to more than £6 million in 2019, according to reports. 

As well as investing heavily in new stores, the company has also been seeing its growth boosted by its e-commerce operations and digital in general is increasingly important to the firm. In recent months it has invested in digital marketing and opened a photography studio, also signing TOWIE star Pete Wicks to front its latest campaign. It also uses its 'Sartorial Seven' heavily on social media. This comprises seven men aged 21 to 50 "to show that the Master Debonair style really is for everyone".

The company has been expanding its product offer fast and has recently added kidswear, homewares, gifts and dog accessories. Its own-brand suits will launch next month and there’s even a hint that womenswear might be on the horizon as co-founder Eve Whitaker said the company is seeing more women come in for its classic tailored suits.