Kipling (brand)

Kipling is a brand selling handbags, backpacks, totes, luggage and other accessories. It was founded in 1987 in Antwerp, Belgium. Kipling has been a part of VF Corporation since 2004. Today, Kipling has 250 employees across its corporate offices in Antwerp, New Jersey, São Paulo, and Hong Kong. Kipling bags are sold in more than 80 countries internationally and can be found in more than 7,500 stores.

History

Kipling was founded in 1987 in Antwerp[1] by designer Xavier Kegels (who also founded Hedgren) and Paul Van De Velde, who were joined by a third partner, Vincent Haverbeke.[2] The name was inspired by Rudyard Kipling who wrote the children’s story The Jungle Book.[3]

In June 2004, VF Corporation, an American worldwide apparel and footwear company, acquired Kipling.[4][5] Kipling became part of VF's "sportswear" range.

Timeline

In 2023, in light of the release of the Barbie Movie, Kipling and Barbie introduce a collaboration for handbags.[7][8][9] Other collaborations include Minju Kim, and Hello Kitty (since 2022).[10][11]

  • 1986: The original founders of Kipling decide to create a new bags company in Antwerp, Belgium[6]
  • 1989: Kipling goes to North America and Japan
  • 1993: Kipling goes to Central America
  • 2004: Kipling joins the portfolio of VF[4][5]

Brand and products

Kipling is known for its casual-styled accessories, bags, backpacks and luggage. Besides its crinkle nylon fabric, the brand produces bags in many other materials. Its offering ranges from pouches, wallets and small key hangers to handbags, cross-bodies, totes, backpacks, weekenders and luggage. The brand is also popular for its bright, heavy-duty travel pieces, as well as for its schoolbags among kids.

Kipling is known for their signature furry monkey keychain.[12]

Collaborations

  • 1991 - Perrier
  • 1995 - Ford
  • 2007 - Fergie
  • 2008 - Gloria Coelho
  • 2009 - Cathy Pill
  • 2009 - Girls from Omsk
  • 2010 - El Delgado Buil
  • 2010 - Peter Pilotto
  • 2011 - JCDC
  • 2013 - Helena Christensen
  • 2014 - Natalie Joos
  • 2015 - Eva Mouton
  • 2017 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • 2018 - Alice in Wonderland
  • 2018 - Star Wars[13]
  • 2018 - Helen Lee
  • 2019 - Angel Chen
  • 2019 - Christine Lau[14]
  • 2019 - Mickey Mouse
  • 2019 - Frozen II
  • 2020 - Pac-Man[15]
  • 2020 - Mickey & Friends
  • 2020 - Keith Haring[16]
  • 2022 - Woodstock
  • 2022 - MTV[17]
  • 2022 - Anna Sui[18][19]
  • 2022 - Pantone[20]
  • 2022 - Hello Kitty[21]

References

  1. Maren Beverly. Funny Pretty Nice Teams Up With Kipling To Honor Women's History Month Gotham Magazine, 2022-03-28^
  2. Vlerick Insights^
  3. Carriers help owners create art to reveal attitude toward life^
  4. COMPANY NEWS; VF ADDS KIPLING BELGIUM, A MAKER OF BACKPACKS The New York Times, 2004-06-16, retrieved 2022-12-02^
  5. VF buys accessories brand Kipling www.bizjournals.com, 2004-06-15, retrieved 2022-12-02^
  6. Brandweek Adweek L.P., October 1995^
  7. Barbie x Kipling Collab: Shop Barbiecore Luggage, Shoulder Bags, Accessories and More for Summer 2023 www.etonline.com, 2023-07-13, retrieved 2023-08-01^
  8. Barbie™ x Kipling Is The Fashion Collab We Didn’t Know We Needed – Until Now Grazia, 2023, retrieved 2023-08-01^
  9. Barbie® x Kipling - Pink Mode: On! Yahoo Finance, 2023-06-26, retrieved 2023-08-07^
  10. Kipling unveils collaboration with Minju Kim FashionUnited, 2023-04-20, retrieved 2023-08-07^
  11. Kipling to launch Hello Kitty Rabbit Year collection; includes backpacks, crossbody bags, pouches youthopia.sg, 2022-12-21, retrieved 2023-08-07^
  12. Your Fave '90s Accessory Is Back & Better Than Ever Thanks To Urban Outfitters Bustle, retrieved 2022-12-16^
  13. Shea Simmons. What's In The Kipling x 'Star Wars' Collection? The Line Will Help Keep The Force With You Always Bustle, 2018-04-18, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  14. 周琦琳. KIPLING发大招,2019秋季新款竟然和"印花女王"刘清扬联手了! ELLE China, 2019-07-29, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  15. Zeynep Yenisey. Pac-Man's 40th Anniversary Celebrated with Retro-Inspired Bag Collection - Maxim www.maxim.com, 2020-01-22, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  16. Kipling×Keith Haringのバッグとなら、"ちょっとそこまで"のシンプルコーデがアーバンスタイルになる! MORE, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  17. Summer Cartwright. Kipling's Retro MTV Collab Will Take You Back to School (& Back to The '90s) in Fashion StyleCaster, 2022-07-19, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  18. Amelia Tan. Kipling x Anna Sui Sees A Rose-Inspired Art Deco Print On Lightweight Bags And Luggage NYLON SINGAPORE, 2022-09-15, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  19. Melissa Jauregui. Kipling x Anna Sui llega a México FashionNetwork.com, 2022-10-25, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  20. Pantone Farbe 2022: So tragen Sie die Trendfarbe im Frühjahr www.liebenswert-magazin.de, retrieved 2022-12-21^
  21. Kipling x Hello Kitty福兔限定系列「红」运来袭 辞旧迎"轻",好事自来 ELLE China, 2022-12-13, retrieved 2022-12-21^