The Fold sells “significant” stake to fund global expansion

Luxury womenswear brand The Fold, as worn by the Duchess of Cambridge and Samantha Cameron, has sold a “significant” stake to Active Private Equity to help fuel expansion in the UK and abroad.

Founded in 2012 by former City executive Polly McMaster, The Fold has become known for creating modern clothing for professional women. Currently, all the clothes are designed in London and are manufactured in Europe to ensure the highest standards of quality.

“Looking as smart as a man in his bespoke suit gives a woman the same level of confidence and gravitas at work,” explains McMaster. “The idea for The Fold came out of that need and we really believe that being serious about work shouldn’t compete with being interested in fashion. The Fold is about understanding the professional woman’s needs in her daily life and trying to create a stylish, contemporary wardrobe for them, but particularly focused around work.”

Active Private Equity, which has backed businesses including cycling clothing company Rapha, members club Soho House, healthy food chain Leon and burger chain Honest Burger, has invested in the region of 1-2 million pounds in the company, according to reports, and is expecting the fashion label to grow at a similar pace to its over invested companies.

In addition, Richard Sims, who was a founding investor at fashion brand Mint Velvet, has also invested in the business. Sims will also be appointed to the board as chairman.

As part of the deal, Active Private Equity co-founder Nick Evans will join The Fold’s board.

Active Private Equity invests in The Fold

The Fold, which sells dresses starting at around 250 pounds, is expected to use the invested funds to become a global brand, building on its loyal fan base in the UK, as well as open more showrooms in the UK, currently it only operates one in London’s Clerkenwell. In addition, the brand is looking to expand its product categories beyond just ready-to-wear womenswear pieces.

McMaster added: “With Active, we have found the perfect likeminded partner to realise our potential in becoming the leading lifestyle brand for the professional woman.”

Evans added: “At Active we are always looking to invest in talented and ambitious entrepreneurs like Polly. We like brands that standout, that innovate in product and proposition and that are re-defining their consumer sectors.

“We have been extremely impressed by Polly’s sharp focus on her customer and community, and The Fold’s rapid progress to date. She is meeting a clear demand with a modern brand, modern product and content and a very modern business model. We look forward to working alongside Polly and using our experience of working with entrepreneurs and fostering brands to take The Fold to the next stage in its development.”

Image: The Fold