KING LOUIE AW19 - Showing Dates: 9th of MAY to 31ST of AUGUST 2018.
“In 1981, we, Ann Berlips and George Cramer, started our business in Amsterdam. We met in high school. We had a shared interest in vintage clothing, and we quickly found various contacts where we could buy beautiful vintage clothing.
We sold our finds at the Amsterdam Noordermarkt market, and from 1983 also in our first Exota shop in the Jordaan area. In the 1980’s, we introduced the very first product of our own label: a black turtle-neck that in those days was combined with Levi’s 501 jeans. There was so much demand for black turtle-necks, we could not find enough vintage ones. We were looking for a fun name when we came across a vintage bowling shirt brand: King Louie. We chose that as our name.
We have always been passionate about developing clothing that makes people happy. Vintage-inspired clothing, we designed the prints ourselves, with bright colours and a good fit. In the 1990’s, we moved our Exota shop to Hartenstraat in the 9-Streets area in the Amsterdam shopping district, and we are still there today.
Some partnerships with other shops have continued for many years; our products are available in the most beautiful shops across Europe. We are very pleased with our partners, and also with the various manufacturers who make our products. We are committed to maximum fulfilment and that’s what we and our team get up for every day!”
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King Louie aims to contribute to a better world, accepting responsibility for the people making the clothes. They work only with manufacturers guaranteeing adequate working conditions.
This is why King Louie became a member of Fair Wear Foundation in 2015. This is an independent organisation committed to improving working conditions in the clothing industry. Fair Wear has strict inspections on any non-compliance with child labour and excessive working hours requirements, and on the working environment being healthy and safe.
King Louie also inspects its suppliers personally every year. They travel to Asia and Turkey, the site of their biggest supplier. The female owner has shown commitment to equal rights for women for many years. King Louie has been working this manufacturer for over 20 years.
It does not stop there. Today, 10% of their clothing comes with GOTS certification. That is short for Global Organic Textile Standard. It means that based on organic fibre and production compliance, the clothing is fully sustainable.
New: the King Louie dresses made of recycled polyester, manufactured from recycled PET bottles.
In summary: King Louie is going strong!