Dutch clothing label Kings of Indigo has new owners. The brand is relaunching with German entrepreneurial duo Kathrin and Sebastian Proft, Mariska Stolwijk confirmed to FashionUnited over the phone. Stolwijk, who was previously responsible for product development at Kings of Indigo, will become general manager of the company in the Netherlands with the acquisition. The founder and Tony Tonnaer leave the brand.
Kathrin and Sebastian Proft both have a background in finance and “green” fashion. Besides Kings of Indigo, they own the German-Austrian retail chain Dollinger and the brands Feli & Hans and Stapf. All three companies, like Kings of Indigo, have a strong focus on sustainability. Both Dollinger and Feli & Hans are active at the interface between sustainable fashion and traditional clothing, also known as traditional costumes, especially in Austria and in southern Germany in Bavaria. Sebastian Proft will play an important role at Kings of Indigo: He will be responsible for the company’s finances and sales.
Stolwijk calls the takeover “a very nice combination”. “The takeover party is from Germany and Germany is currently the largest market for Kings of Indigo. They’re committed to sustainability, which is nice.” Sebastian’s financial background is also valuable, she notes. “Even though Kings of Indigo is a sustainable brand, it also needs to be looked at from a commercial perspective if the business is to be profitable. Just this is how we can really make a difference in the world with sustainable clothing.”
German entrepreneurial duo acquires Kings of Indigo
Within the Kings of Indigo team “the emotions have yet to settle,” says Stolwijk. “The relaunch has taken a while – we are now five weeks after bankruptcy – so the news is overwhelming. But everyone is very happy that the brand is doing a relaunch. Not only the Kings of Indigo team, but also suppliers and customers. It really is a nice Christmas present.”
The entire Kings of Indigo team was offered a new contract as part of the acquisition. Some have decided to walk away on their own in the weeks between bankruptcy and restart. Tonnaer also leaves the company. “I will continue to follow the bankruptcy of KOI International BV and then take a break, think about it and then see where I will put my passion for denim, innovation and sustainability,” he wrote in an email to FashionUnited.
Stolwijk was offered the position of general manager, which she accepted. “Very exciting, but I believe deeply in the work and the values we stand for. I am confident.”
Currently, Kings of Indigo B2B sales are already live. The relaunch of the brand’s B2C web shop is still in the works, according to Stolwijk. “We hope to be able to go back on the air next week,” she says. The production team is currently working flat out on the spring-summer 2023 collection, the first batch of which will be delivered next week. In addition, the production of samples for the Autumn-Winter 2023 collection underway as Kings of Indigo has also registered for trade shows again, registrations for Modefabriek and Seek have already been confirmed and Neonyt is also in the pipeline.
Kings of Indigo was declared bankrupt in mid-November. Earlier this week it was announced that the appointed insolvency administrator was considering a fresh start. Several parties reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the brand.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since publication with more details from King of Indigo. The post has been translated and edited and previously appeared on FashionUnited.nl.