Rhodes & Beckett will return to the Australian retail market this November under new ownership by privately held firm, Black Bear Holdings PTY LTD.

The firm led by Michel Boutin, former creative director of Rhodes & Beckett, will see the brand re-launch with a focus on premium city sites including four key boutique’s and two pop-up stores across Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, along with a new website offering worldwide shipping.

Black Bear are a privately held Australian company backed by Hong Kong based private equity firm, AO Capital.

New designs using the best of European wool, cotton, silk and leather will appear in store every 4-6 weeks including a product model that allows for a unique Made to Measure service with an estimated two-week turnaround.

Luxury brands will also be stocked in-store and online including Floris London Perfumers, George Cleverley Shoes, Sozzi hosiery, Liberty London, Vitale Barberis Canonico, Tessitura Monti Spa and Testa Spa Fabrics.

“Our customer lives in a modern world where they look for innovative, fresh designs on a quick rotation and more importantly expect first-class service,” said Boutin.

“The new Rhodes & Beckett will embody this direction whilst still conveying our history of craftsmanship and link to old world principles in tailoring.”

Melbourne will host the newly refurbished flagship store on Collins St, along with refurbished stores on Bourke St in Melbourne, QVB in Sydney CBD and Grenfell St, Adelaide.

Pop up stores will also appear in Melbourne’s Collins Place and Martin Place in Sydney for most of the 2018 calendar year.

Following the launch in Australia, the brand plans to grow internationally in the USA, China and Indonesia over the next two years.

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