South Korea’s E-Land Group has bought two US fashion retail brands – KR3W Denim Co and Supra Footwear.
E-Land subsidiary K-Swiss Global Brands has bought the two brands’ parent One-Distribution, a skate-inspired apparel and footwear manufacturer.
Founded in 2006, Supra quickly became one of the largest and most successful independent sneaker brands through innovation and style, fusing fashion, music, skateboarding, art and street to bring classic silhouettes to those who demand unique designs.
Supra has flagship stores in Tokyo, Santa Monica, New York City, Paris and Mexico City and distributes to over 60 countries through a network of select skate shops and high-end boutiques.
KR3W, an apparel brand born from skate culture, began in 2003, influenced by Southern California culture. The brand made its name in denim, and changed the young men’s denim paradigm with the introduction of its K Slim Denim Jean using an innovative stretch fabric and a narrow profile. KR3W has since expanded its apparel range, successfully blurring the lines between skate and fashion, while maintaining its ‘Dark Americana’ aesthetic.
KSGB acquired the Fountain Valley, California-based firm from a group of shareholders including Bertram Capital, a San Mateo, private equity firm, and a small group of private investors including One-Distribution Founders Scott VanDerripe, Angel Cabada and Scott Bailey. The price was not disclosed.
KSGB has appointed Robert ‘Cape’ Capener as the brand president of both Supra and KR3W, reporting to Larry Remington, President and CEO of KSGB.
“Having formed KSGB just two years ago, we are on an aggressive track to become one of the world’s leading multi-brand companies,” said KSGB President and CEO, Larry Remington.
“Supra and KR3W are brands that meet the distinctions we are looking for in our portfolio: authenticity, strong brand awareness, a track record of product innovation and opportunities for long-term, global growth. We are excited to join forces with the One-Distribution team and to lay a foundation for the future.”
This acquisition takes the KSGB portfolio to a total of six globally distributed brands, including K-Swiss, Palladium, PLDM, OTZ Shoes, KR3W and Supra. E-Land Group, a $10 billion group of companies with over 200 brands, 10,000 retail stores and business across apparel, footwear, retail, hotels, leisure and entertainment.
One-Distribution currently has offices in California, Barcelona, Sydney and Dongguan, China.
