Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Cath Kidston, a leading UK lifestyle brand and one of Britain’s biggest retail success stories, has been brought into the kingdom by Apparel Group, which recently opened an outlet at City Centre Bahrain.
The popular line has been sought after for its iconic prints that are a modern take on English vintage country charm.
Founder and creative director, Catherine Isabel Audrey ‘Cath’ Kidston opened her first shop in West London’s Holland Park in 1993, selling mugs and stationery, plus houseware items. The brand is now sold in more than 170 stores across countries including France, Hong Kong, China and, now, here in Bahrain.
Since its inception she has been true to her pretty prints which evolved from cushion covers, cotton bags and flowery ironing-board covers. Everything she made was practical, fit for purpose, cheery and fun. The very first print she designed was ‘Rose Bouquet’ inspired by beautiful, traditional rose print wallpaper she once spotted on a trip to Wales.
However, her true success came after a mistake was made ordering fabric and instead of receiving a 1,500 long roll of material it was delivered already made into duvet and pillow sets. With more bed sets than she knew what to do with she set to work in turning it into cushions, aprons, wash-bags, coat hangers, bath hats and swimsuits. This ended up being her first collection and it attracted huge public attention.
As the desire for Cath Kidston’s products grew, the collections expanded into full lifestyle offerings across homeware, accessories, laundry, womenswear and childrenswear. The project kept expanding over the years but it still continues to stick to practical everyday useful things that are colourful, cheerful and nostalgic.
The little dog motif that frequently appears across the range is based on Kidston’s Lakeland terrier Stanley, a fine name according to the editor of this newspaper. As well as on fabric, Stanley, in his distinctive red jacket, has appeared on a charm bracelet, necklace and kilt pin.
One of her most enduring designs is the ‘Cowboy’ print, available on bedding, dressing gowns, towels, mugs, plates and wallpaper. There’s even a melamine nursery set for very young fans.
The success of her floral prints and polka-dot homeware collection has given Cath an annual turnover of more than £50 million (BD27 million).
She chooses very carefully which items to put her name to, favouring homeware such as sewing baskets, handbags, notebooks and tea towels, which are appealing and useful. “I don’t want to copy what I was brought up with,” she explained. “I am influenced by it, but it’s about what we want today, isn’t it?”
Here in Bahrain, the devotees swear by the floral print bags and according to one of the sales staff in the mall location, the best sellers have been the oil cloth handbags because ‘they last forever’. They are normally priced at BD51 and are now selling at 50 per cent off for BD25.500.
The printed mugs are also flying off the shelves and they come in two sizes – BD3.300 for the small and BD4.600 for the larger one.
The bathrobes are almost sold out and are being snapped up for BD32.
There have also been special requests for the ‘rose print’ wallpaper which will arrive shortly and the home section has been crowded daily by shoppers from neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar as word spread about the store opening.
Well, it seems everyone wants to have a piece of Cath Kidston, particularly expat Brits who are reported to be ‘extremely happy’ about the availability of a ‘touch of home’ as they no longer have to ship the products here and risk damage during delivery!
