Minimalism on your feet
A FOOTWEAR brand that has been steadily making a name for itself for its simple design and functionality since being introduced two years ago, ARKK Copenhagen is now available in the country and is expected to enhance further the already burgeoning local sneaker scene.
Cofounded by Danish streetwear designers and entrepreneurs Kasper Hoj Rasmussen and Thomas Refdahl, ARKK Copenhagen is geared towards offering sneakerheads a solid alternative to oft-sighted globally known brands with their “ultraluxe minimalist” footwear.
“ARKK was launched two years ago in Denmark, in Copenhagen. It caught our eyes. Our friends pointed it to us and when we looked at it and we liked the simplicity of the shoes. You know the Scandinavian designs, they are very minimalist, very simple and we felt it could succeed in our market,” said Miguel A. Abellada, Deputy Sales director for Gruppo > Innovare, the group responsible for bringing ARKK Copenhagen to the country, in an interview with BusinessWorld during the footwear’s Philippine launch at The Nines in Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City last Friday.
“So we reached out to the principal in Copenhagen and when he came here we took him to several concept stores in Makati City, Taguig City, and even in the Ortigas area, and from what he saw how the sneaker retailers would sell their products, he felt the Philippines would be ready for ARKK Copenhagen. And this is apart from the fact that he saw how Filipinos are trendy people. And so here we are,” Mr. Abellada added.
ARKK Copenhagen shoes are 100% made in Denmark, a continuation of its mission to oversee that quality is kept at a high standard, from the detailing (uppers, laces, and back pieces, among others) to the custom-made outsoles (S-E15 and H-X1).
Among the ARKK Copenhagen shoe lines available in the local market are the Eaglezero S-E15, the high- top Pythron S- E15, Scorpitex S-E15, Raven line, and Spyqon FG H-X1, all of which fuse fashion and function.
“We feel strongly that ARKK Copenhagen would do well in the country. I think people will like them for what it offers. Not only is it up there with the trends but it also something new and not many people have it yet. So there is some form of exclusivity in there like most what come from the Nordic region,” said Mr. Abellada of ARKK Copenhagen, which is only sold in 37 countries, including the Philippines.
“For now, in the Philippines we are sold in The Nines and online at Zeus.ph. In the coming weeks it will be available at Sneak Peek stores. We could have gone with more stores but ARKK Copenhagen wanted to keep it in line with its thrust of being patient, steadily building the brand up and not go full blast right away,” said Mr. Abellada.
ARKK Copenhagen sneakers range in price from P4,495 to P9,000. —