Poste Mistress branches out

Footwear brand Poste Mistress is branching out with its first own-label women's wear line. The company has launched the range in 25 USC stores and might eventually roll it out across all 60 of the young fashion chain's stores. The brand new collection consists of dresses, tops, shirts and jackets, ranging in price from £30 to £75. The range will target the same consumers who shop at All Saints and Reiss and are looking for smart party wear. It will also target existing USC customers. The range is designed by two in-house designers.

Until now, Poste Mistress only offered upmarket shoes from designers like Dries van Noten and Vivienne Westwood, as well as creations by up-and-coming designers. The label was available in a stand-alone Poste Mistress shop in Covent Garden , at Office and in a concession at Harvey Nichols. A men's footwear range is available at a shop called Poste. A spokesman for the company said there are not plans for a menswear range. Hunter is also the owner of the Office group, which includes Poste Mistress, Poste and Offspring. He acquired the group for a reported £15 million in May 2003. His other interests include USC, apparel business D2 and footwear chain Qube.