Wallis (retailer)
Encyclopedia
Wallis is a British women's clothing retailer. The brand operates from 134 stores and 126 concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Wallis is a subsidiary of the Arcadia Group
and one of the many companies under ownership of Philip Green
, a British retailing icon.
in 1923. After steady growth the UK, the brand opened its first store in Germany
and later opened outlets in Saudi Arabia
and South Africa
under respective franchise and licensing agreements. In 1980 Wallis became a part of the Sears Group
and in 1999, following the acquisition of Sears by Sir Philip Green
, the brand was transferred to the Arcadia Group
.
is partnering with Wallis to design her first women's clothing and jewellery collection called YLB.
and launched a charity charm bracelet in 2005 and charm necklace in 2007 designed by international designers and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson
and Kate Moss
to raise funds for the charity.
Arcadia Group
The Arcadia Group Limited a British company that owns the high street clothing retailers Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Topman, Topshop, Wallis and BHS, and the out of town chain Outfit, which sells lines from the other group chains...
and one of the many companies under ownership of Philip Green
Philip Green
Sir Philip Green is a British businessman. Green was born into a Jewish family in 1952, beginning as a businessman at the age of 15. The first and last quoted company Green took lead of was "Amber Day", from which he stepped down as CEO and Chairman in 1992...
, a British retailing icon.
History
The first store was opened by the founder, Raphael Nat Wallis, in IslingtonIslington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
in 1923. After steady growth the UK, the brand opened its first store in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and later opened outlets in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
under respective franchise and licensing agreements. In 1980 Wallis became a part of the Sears Group
Sears plc
Sears plc was a large British-based conglomerate. The Company was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but it was acquired by Sir Philip Green in 1999.-History:...
and in 1999, following the acquisition of Sears by Sir Philip Green
Philip Green
Sir Philip Green is a British businessman. Green was born into a Jewish family in 1952, beginning as a businessman at the age of 15. The first and last quoted company Green took lead of was "Amber Day", from which he stepped down as CEO and Chairman in 1992...
, the brand was transferred to the Arcadia Group
Arcadia Group
The Arcadia Group Limited a British company that owns the high street clothing retailers Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Topman, Topshop, Wallis and BHS, and the out of town chain Outfit, which sells lines from the other group chains...
.
Celebrity Collections
In September 2009, supermodel Yasmin Le BonYasmin Le Bon
Yasmin Le Bon is a British Iranian fashion model. She was born to an Iranian father and an English mother...
is partnering with Wallis to design her first women's clothing and jewellery collection called YLB.
Operations
Wallis specialises in creating up to the minute fashion and includes dedicated ranges such as its Petite range and a premium range known as Limited Edition which was introduced in 2006. Wallis also works closely with Cancer Research UKCancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
and launched a charity charm bracelet in 2005 and charm necklace in 2007 designed by international designers and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
and Kate Moss
Kate Moss
Kate Moss is an English model. Moss is known for her waifish figure and popularising the heroin chic look in the 1990s. She is also known for her controversial private life, high profile relationships, party lifestyle, and drug use. Moss changed the look of modelling and started a global debate on...
to raise funds for the charity.
External links
- The Stylist’s Secret - Look, June 2008
- Wallis’ latest W: A Limited Edition - Catwalk Queen, March 2008
- Wallis Website
- Yasimn Le Bon's YLB Collection - Wallis Website, June 2009