An Extraordinary Shop with an Extraordinary Story
TORONTO, March 24, 2015 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, April 1, 2015, Holt Renfrew's H Project shops will transform into Uncrate Africa boutiques, bringing to life the continent's cultures, crafts and artisans through a spectacular capsule collection of fashion, accessories, children's apparel, homewares, cosmetics and textiles. Over 22 renowned brands, including Dannijo, Stella Jean, LemLem, FEED Africa, Mark Holden, Indego Africa, Me to We, Otago, Kiya Kenya and Chantecaille, have collaborated on exclusive collections for Uncrate Africa, each giving back in its own unique and meaningful way.
This is the second edition of H Project's 'uncrate a culture' initiative. Holt Renfrew's director of brand strategy, Alexandra Weston, annually partners with extraordinary designers and journeys through a world region to discover extraordinary products with extraordinary stories.
"We are thrilled to unveil our Uncrate Africa boutique, celebrating the special artisanal stories behind one-of-a-kind products, hand-selected from across Africa," says Alexandra Weston. "For H Project, the height of luxury is beautiful, high-quality items that nurture cultures and communities."
"The journey to Africa was a great opportunity to meet extraordinary artisans across a creative and cultural mosaic, and to celebrate many dignified talents and beautiful handicrafts," says designer Stella Jean. "Uncrate Africa is a cultural crossover, demonstrating how boundaries are just a state of mind."
"Uncrate Africa is a project that resonates with our brand mission. Since DANNIJO's inception, we've strived to create a platform that provides economic opportunity to artisans in underdeveloped areas of the world to ultimately serve as a source of empowerment," says DANNIJO's Danielle Snyder. "Holt Renfrew has been an incredible partner and H Project should be a model for department stores of their caliber worldwide."
Holt Renfrew's H Project shops at Bloor Street, Yorkdale, Calgary and Vancouver will transform into Uncrate Africa boutiques beginning April 1 through the spring season.
About Holt Renfrew
Celebrating a 178-year heritage, Holt Renfrew is recognized worldwide for an inspired shopping experience. Once a purveyor of fashion to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Holt Renfrew began in 1837 as a modest hat shop. Over the years the brand developed and expanded across Canada. In the 1930's Holt Renfrew began exclusive accounts with leading European designers and in 1947 hosted Monsieur Christian Dior when he launched his "New Look." After many years of foreign ownership Holt Renfrew was bought in 1986 by W. Galen and the Hon. Hilary M. Weston. Under their ownership Holt Renfrew has become Canada's destination for luxury retail.
Holt Renfrew is part of Selfridges Group Limited. With extensive know-how and experience in operating luxury fashion retail stores, the Selfridges Group owns and operates leading heritage banners in key markets around the world, including Brown Thomas in Ireland; de Bijenkorf in The Netherlands; Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy in Canada, and Selfridges in the United Kingdom. Selfridges Group Limited is a family owned business, W. Galen Weston is Chairman.
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About H Project
In May 2013, Holt Renfrew launched H Project – a unique in-store shop of extraordinary products with extraordinary stories. H Project's offerings support culture, craft and artisans from around the world, with an assortment of apparel, accessories, home décor and beauty products, as well as products made from socially conscious materials or those that support a charitable cause.
H Project is led by Alexandra Weston, Holt Renfrew's Director of Brand Strategy. In this role, she focuses on developing dynamic programs to build the brand's culture and reputation.
SOURCE Holt Renfrew
Image with caption: "Alexandra Weston, Holt Renfrew's Director of Brand Strategy, at the 'Cooperative De Couture De Kicukiro' in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa (CNW Group/Holt Renfrew)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150324_C4678_PHOTO_EN_13496.jpg
Blaire Borins, Holt Renfrew PR, 416.960.2946, [email protected]
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