It’s a wonderful fact that peninsular Charleston is blessed with 70% locally owned businesses and a spirit of entrepreneurship that gives us a flavor like no other. It’s what makes King Street particularly unique in a country full of newly contrived downtowns and cookie-cutter malls, or worse, failing downtowns and failing malls. No wonder everyone wants to come here.
But wait, there’s more. King Street has national stores culturally familiar to us like Banana Republic, Gap, Lucky Jeans and Juicy Couture. We know what to expect from these places and they are dear to American wardrobes. Don’t you get a little kick out of living in a city that can attract Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Yves Delorme? What a great mix.
King Street is attractive to the expected and the unexpected in retail. For some, it’s a launch point for a new concept or a landing point in a new country.
Established in 1998 in Greece, Oxette has become a leading brand in global jewelry among the fashion forward. Their watch and accessory lines, created by Greek and Italian designers, constantly renew, adjusting to fashion and market trends. The pieces are unique, original and creative, kind of like Charleston. Oxette stores are scattered throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and they have one U.S. flagship… King Street.
Roberto Coin began in 2007 with seven boutiques worldwide, all flagships in exotic destinations like Venice, Rome, Azerbaijan, Moscow, Dubai, and Macau. Their tagline is: “We want to do things that haven’t been done by anybody else.” Their exclusive signature is a ruby, tucked inside each piece in a hidden position to allow direct skin contact, a secret gift of good wishes from Roberto to the wearer. Did I mention the only American Roberto Coin Boutiques are Fifth Avenue, NYC and King Street, Charleston?
Australian Designer Callie Tien created her Modern Trousseau couture bridal collection using fine French laces, imported silks, and delicate beadwork. Sounds like your average wedding gown except that Callie’s designs were quite unique and quickly picked up by wedding boutiques in America, Canada and Europe. Time to launch a flagship Modern Trousseau Boutique in New York City and one on—where else—King Street. Lucky us. Modern Trousseau is at 418 King Street in a historic brick and wood building with a beautiful courtyard. The windows are a fairy tale inspiration. They plan to open in San Francisco next.
At 318 King Street there is a deep, skinny shop that’s easy to miss if you’re walking quickly down Middle King. It once housed our beloved Mary Norton and has had a few brief encounters with unlucky Great Recession tenants since she left. Bottega Brandina might be a keeper. Italian designer Marco Morsini creates handbags and accessories in lively, constantly changing colors and fabrics that are “traditionally used to build sun lounger chairs along the Adriatic.” They launched their U.S. presence in the Grammy Awards Gift Lounge, collecting celebrity endorsements and photos. They also launched their U.S. flagship store, just one, here in Charleston.
If you were wondering about the future of King Street after Ralph Lauren’s departure to the Tanger Outlet Mall, wonder no more. Long time RL King Street manager Suzanna Bryant is now manager at Rapport, 235 King Street. Rapport collected some of Saks most personable staff and excellent wardrobe lines. This fall they will reintroduce Ralph Lauren Black Label. Sounds like a romance novel. Ralph and Suzanna return to King Street. Isn’t it perfect?
