Excerpt from WWD by Jean E. Palmieri on March 2, 2020
The collection will take its inspiration from the brand’s ZERØGRAND footwear.
Cole Haan has signed a license with Randa Accessories for men’s and women’s belts, as well as men’s wallets and small leather goods.
The men’s collection will be inspired by design elements of Cole Haan’s ZERØGRAND footwear range and will launch this spring. The women’s belts will follow in 2021. The merchandise will focus on cushioning, durability and comfort.
Brad Seabaugh, Randa’s senior vice president of product development, said when choosing an outfit, 45 percent of men match their belts with their shoes so aligning the belts with the footwear reflects the evolving style of today’s consumer.
Kari Paige Charvet, director of design for Randa, said the company has long taken design and trend cues from Cole Haan. “The design process has become much more intentional. Functional design qualities matter, but so does versatility and comfort. We’ve been able to marry Cole Haan’s approach to technology and footwear with our belt designs, creating an entirely new belt category.”
David J. Katz, executive vice president, and chief marketing officer for Randa, added: “We have the opportunity to spearhead a movement in technology and innovation within the belt and wallet categories. This association gives us the opportunity to create a new generation of accessories geared toward the ascendant, young professional.”
The belts will retail between $70 and $100 while the wallets will sell for $45 to $125. They will launch at Cole Haan stores as well as other retailers including Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Van Mauer, Hudson’s Bay, Harrods, and David Jones.