Cambridge Satchel to open standalone men's store

British accessories brand Cambridge Satchel Company is to open its first standalone men’s store in Covent Garden on June 8.

The 1,000 square foot store at 15 Short Gardens, Seven Dials, will stock the brand’s range of classic satchels, backpacks and trunks for men, and will launch with the new autumn/winter 2015 collection, which previewed at London Collections: Men in January.

Mario Muttenthaler, CMO at The Cambridge Satchel Company said: “Around 20 percent of our customers are men. Our range of traditional satchels has always been unisex and music bags as well as backpacks have been very popular with men.

“In 2014 we launched our expedition range, work bag range and a premium collection called the ‘Saddle Collection’ which were all tailored to men and very well received. It was therefore a natural next step to launch fully fledged men’s collection.”

Muttenthaler, who joined the brand last summer from the Net-a-porter Group’s MrPorter.com, added: “We identified a real need for an accessible range of utilitarian, good quality, British made bags for men. We are excited to offer the complete range in our retail stores and our global website cambridgesatchel.com.”

The brand’s first bricks and mortar store has been completely redesigned to cater specifically for a male audience and features materials such as oak, tweed, brass and leather in its construction, fixtures and fittings.

As well as housing the new men’s collection, the store will also stock unisex classics and seasonal specials. The glass-roofed atrium at the rear of the store will be used to showcase special collections and host events while the store’s basement will be used as an office.