Aussie designer Arthur Galan has put his eponymous family-owned label, Arthur Galan AG, into administration, citing a “challenging” retail landscape for the “tough decision” to sell the label to new owners.
Ragtrader reports that the label received a wind-up order from the Australian Taxation Office on October 19, and the label released a statement via its Facebook page on Friday. “I feel very sad today, as I have had to put my family owned business into administration. Everyone is aware that the retail industry is challenging and I have tried very hard to make it work, throwing everything I have into it. Unfortunately I have had to make this tough decision,” it read.
Arthur began his namesake label back in 1998 with just menswear, before branching out to womenswear in 2005. Both women’s and men’s collections will continue to be sold through the label’s South Yarra and Doncaster stores which are remaining open, before the label relaunches with its new sole focus on menswear in March 2016.
I feel very sad today, as I have had to put my family owned business into administration. Everyone is aware that the...
Posted by Arthur Galan AG on Thursday, 5 November 2015
"The brand has been sold and the new owners have decided to return to where it all started, menswear. I will stay on as the creative and will commit that the brand will return to the AG you all remember," the Facebook statement continued. "I want to acknowledge all our staff that have been such an integral part of the brand and the Arthur Galan family in a time that is very difficult for all involved."
Myer has stocked Arthur Galan AG since 2011, and the department store will reportedly continue to support the brand under its new ownership. The label has been worn by the likes of Helena Christensen and Orlando Bloom, to name a few.
Presenter and unofficial Arthur Galan AG advocate Lauren Phillips was particularly upset by the news. "I have lost count of the number of Arthur Galan outfits I have worn and loved over the years, so naturally I am absolutely devastated to hear their news," she expressed on her Instagram, urging us to all support Australian fashion.
[Via Ragtrader, Herald Sun]
