Some companies fancy themselves global, but really aren’t. For example, you might be familiar with the car brand Datsun, but you can only get your hands on one if you happen to be in India or Kazakhstan. Ditto Mars Bars: they’re blue chip candy aisle fodder here and across the Pond, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any in the U.S. But a curious thing: when I was in Europe this summer, I happened upon a slew of shops—from the curated surf shop Bernardo Atelier in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real to Europe’s largest department store, El Corte Inglés—all carrying a name that’s got the bona fides to refer to itself as a “global accessories brand.” Vancouver-born Herschel Supply Co. exploded onto the local scene a decade ago, but has travelled so far it’s now synonymous with hipster cool on multiple continents. Now that’s global dominance.
This side of the Atlantic, Herschel furthers its imperialism with wunderkind Olivia Kim. Kim, Nordstrom’s VP of Creative Projects, is legendary in the fashion world for her Opening Ceremony retailing chops before she decamped to Nordstrom, where she’s now responsible for curating their monthly themed shop-in-shop experiences that foster relationships with brands, whether large (Nordstrom x Nike Shop), cult-favourite (Nordstrom x Liberty of London) or everything in between (Ace & Jig as part of a Sustainable Pop-In). Nordstrom’s latest installation, Pop-In@Nordstrom x Herschel, channels Kim’s iconic style as well as her knack for finding next-level cool labels that translate into intimate bricks-and-mortar experiences. All of which align perfectly with Herschel Supply Co.
Inspired by travel and music culture, the new Pop-In@Nordstrom x Herschel Supply Co. collaboration features six collections in four different fabrics that explore the energy and creativity that dominated the rave-scene dance floors of the ’90s. If you ever thought Herschel was just basic travel gear, you’ll be forced to reconsider with this new limited-edition range featuring more than 100 pieces covering backpacks to cross-body bags. Herschel’s signature durable craftsmanship with Kim’s fashion-forward energy dovetail in faux-fur tiger print backpacks, corduroy totes in primary colours, powder-blue fanny packs in plush teddybear-like fleece and colour-blocked hard-shell suitcases. All perfect for the workplace, back-to-school, playtime and, of course, globetrotting.
Pop-In@Nordstrom x Herschel Supply Co. runs until Sept. 29 and online at Nordstrom.com/pop
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