Irregular Choice

Irregular Choice is a fashion brand originally founded in Brighton in 1999.[1] It specialises in unusual footwear, bags and accessories.

History

Irregular Choice was founded in 1999 by the designer Dan Sullivan. He told Women's Wear Daily that his brightly coloured, unusual designs were created in response to "boring" and "very black and brown" British High Street fashions in the late 1990s, and that the printed and coloured footwear sold far better than the classic designs.[2] Sullivan's mother had originally designed for the fashion label Red or Dead, and his father had founded a shoe brand called Pod, which led Sullivan down the path of wanting to "do something mad and adventurous, something based on an irregular concept."[3]

Irregular Choice has collaborated with multiple brands and designers. A small collection of shoes created for Heatherette's 2007 collection reportedly led to demand from the likes of Mena Suvari, Theodora Richards and Lydia Hearst; and was followed up by a spin-off range called Heatherette Loves Irregular Choice in response to fan demand.[2][4] For two years they produced a line in collaboration with the cult fashion doll Blythe, featuring the doll's image.[2]

Products

Irregular Choice shoe with unicorn heel, 2014

Among Irregular Choice's early designs were shoes and boots based upon the traditional Japanese split-toe look.[5] In Summer 2004, the brand introduced handbags; followed up with gloves, umbrellas and other accessories for that year's Fall collections.[3] In February 2008 they launched a womenswear line using prints that Sullivan's team designed themselves.[2] One Irregular Choice trademark is the "character heel," including rabbit-shaped ones (called 'Thumper'),[6] garden gnome [7] and unicorn designs.[8]

Stores

In 2003 Irregular Choice debuted their shoes onto the American market, and within a year were being stocked by 240 stores across the United States.[3] In 2007 Irregular Choice opened its first shop in SoHo, Manhattan, with weekly sales from $25,000 to $35,000.[2] By 2012 they were selling products in more than 50 countries, with new shops opening in Hong Kong and Paris and aiming to open a new shop in Dublin.[1] In 2008, their flagship store launched on Carnaby Street in London,[9][10] and alongside the Brighton shop (opened in 2010),[11] two additional Irregular Choice shops were opened in Leicester and Norwich in 2012.[12]

Links

References

  1. 1 2 "In Short: A round-up of today's other stories in brief". The Irish Times. Highbeam (subscription required). 8 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Edelson, Sharon (29 November 2007). "U.K. footwear brand goes sweet for SoHo.(Irregular Choice)". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 5 September 2014. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  3. 1 2 3 Taylor, Sarah (9 February 2004). "Business Unusual; Irregular Choice's Designer Talks Lateral Thinking, British Fashion and A Certain Brick Wall. (Sullivan, Danny)(Interview)". Footwear News. Highbeam (subscription required). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Irregular Shoe Candy". VOGUE UK. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Russak, Brian; Taylor, Sarah (3 March 2003). "INSIDER.(Nike Inc. loses shoes, Patricia Field shops at Sole Commerce, 'Queer as Folk' holds premier party)". Footwear News. Highbeam (subscription). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  6. ↑ McQuarrie, Laura. "The 'Thumper' Irregular Choice Shoes Sport Unusual Heels". Trendhunter. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  7. ↑ McQuarrie, Laura. "The 'When in Gnome' Heels by Irregular Choice are Gnome-Supported". Trendhunter. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  8. ↑ Baxter, Michael. "These Unicorn Heels Make Walking Feel Like a Magical Experience". Trendhunter. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Barnett, Leisa (5 November 2008). "Something Irregular". VOGUE UK. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Irregular Choice: Footwear brand's debut UK store on Carnaby Street brightens shoppers' moods!". Company. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  11. ↑ Bearne, Suzanne (16 June 2010). "Irregular Choice to open second UK store". Drapers (subscription required). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  12. ↑ Gallagher, Victoria (26 October 2012). "Irregular Choice plans duo of new stores". Drapers (subscription required). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
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