Shinsegae International announced on the 25th that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with the Japanese fashion brand CFCL. With this contract, Shinsegae International has become the strategic partner of CFCL, overseeing domestic distribution as well as wholesale operations.
CFCL is a fashion brand launched in 2020 in Tokyo, Japan, by designer Yusuke Takahashi, who comes from Issey Miyake. The brand name is an abbreviation for 'Clothing For Contemporary Life.'
CFCL will begin its domestic operations from the spring/summer of next year. Currently operating six directly managed stores in Japan, CFCL plans to open a store in a major area of Seoul as early as the first half of next year.
CFCL is recognized for its knitwear technology utilizing 3D computer technology. Its main products include the 'Pottery' series, characterized by a pot-shaped, voluminous, and three-dimensional design, and the 'Fluted' series, which combines two types of rib structures with different elasticity to create a unique silhouette.
Shinsegae International confirmed the potential and growth of the brand by operating a one-month CFCL pop-up store near Dosan Park in Apgujeong, Seoul, at the end of last year. The goal is to strengthen competitiveness in the imported fashion business through exclusive distribution and brand development of CFCL.
Shinsegae International plans to focus on widely promoting the sustainable brand values and philosophy pursued by CFCL. CFCL is environmentally focused and sustainability-oriented, having become the first Japanese clothing company to receive 'B Corp' certification, a global ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) evaluation metric. The design method based on computer programming generates almost no garment waste, as it does not require a foundation.
CFCL actively uses recycled and certified materials in all collections and aims to achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2030.
William Kim, CEO of the fashion division at Shinsegae International, said, 'I am pleased to launch CFCL, which has been making a name for itself in the global market through innovative technology, craftsmanship, and design philosophy,' adding, 'We will pursue various strategies to widely promote the product strength and appeal of CFCL to Korean customers.'