Womenswear brand LF Markey opened its first bricks-and-mortar store in Dalston, east London this week.
The 900 sq ft unit at 58 Dalston Lane includes 700 sq ft of retail space and employs one full-time and two part-time members of staff.
Director and owner Louise Markey, a former Asos and Burberry designer, told Drapers: “We had our soft launch on Monday and will be having the official launch next Thursday [31 January] evening.
”This is our first ever bricks-and-mortar store, but we plan to open a couple more in London and then branch out nationally over time. Our first store abroad will probably be in New York or Brooklyn – we sell to a lot of clients in Brooklyn.
”The response so far has been brilliant. Customers are really happy that they can finally come in and try on our boiler suits. We have about 30 different styles [of boiler suits] – they are our bread and butter.”
Markey said she has recently opened a wholesale showroom and photo studio in Hackney, which will give the brand “more breathing space”.
She added: “We have also launched into a warehouse in America, which enables us to offer our customers free returns and free shipping”.
LF Markey originally started as a women’s shirtmaker in 2005. It now focuses on workwear staple pieces such as boiler suits, dungarees and jeans, among other womenswear pieces.
Retail prices range from £45 to £350.
