Cole Country

Kenneth Cole Productions (New York) has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Shoe Studio Group (which owns the U.K. license for Nine West and operates the Pied A Terre and Bertie brands) to open freestanding Kenneth Cole stores in the U.K and to distribute branded products in the U.K. and Ireland. This launch will mark the company's most significant international rollout to date.

The designer reportedly wants to introduce the same merchandise in the U.K. that is available in U.S. stores. The London stores, in Chelsea and Knightsbridge, will be modeled after the new lifestyle store design concept that was introduced in the U.S. last year.

“I am excited about the prospect of our new partnership in London,” Cole said. “London continues to be an important fashion capital and gateway to the rest of Europe.”

This agreement follows similar international ventures recently finalized with Cheil Industries of Korea and Times Square Productions of Latin America. Four vendor shops are set to open in Korea this fall.