Restoration Hardware’s Apparel Expansion

Restoration Hardware (Corte Madera, Calif.) has plans to expand into apparel and fashion design. The company’s CEO and Chair Gary Friedman told Women’s Wear Daily of his plans to begin selling apparel in stores, though no date has been set for a formal launch.

The apparel will mimic the same clean and minimalist design aesthetic that typifies its home goods and will incorporate quality materials and craftsmanship. The company already offers a handful of apparel products, such as cashmere bathrobes and children’s charm necklaces.

The introduction of apparel into its stores is expected to upend the luxury apparel’s practice of marking up products, creating inflated profit margins. It also will allow the company to use the apparel as in-store props that customers can purchase in addition to the furniture on the showroom floor.

“It would be done in a voyeuristic way, almost like you’re in someone’s beautiful home,” Friedman said.