Australian designer label Dissh is preparing to launch into wholesale and open its first store in the United States.
The label confirmed it has scored a residency in US womenswear store Teller, and is currently in talks with several other luxury retailers.
It comes as the brand opened two new stores in Australia over the last six months, with two additional stores planned to open by the end of 2023. Dissh has a current total store count of seven nationally.
Speaking with Ragtrader, Dissh owner and director Lucy Henry-Hicks said the brand first entered the US market mid-pandemic in 2021.
“This was at a time when consumers were spending more time online than ever before,” Henry-Hicks said. “We believe this provided us with a unique opportunity to penetrate the market.”
Henry-Hicks said when Dissh first launched in the US, they were heavily reliant on digital marketing channels to connect with consumers.
“Instagram has been key to helping us connect with customers abroad,” she said. “Over the last two years, our marketing strategy has evolved considerably as our following has grown and we have become more familiar with the US market.
“This year we hosted our first ever physical events in the USA across New York and LA. In May, we hosted a by appt only showroom in the heart of Soho in NYC and an intimate dinner in LA to celebrate the launch of Summer.
“This was such a valuable investment to continue to build on meaningful relationships with people in the industry who have supported the brand.”
Two years on since launching, Dissh has finalised its first pop-up venture in partnership with Teller at the retailer’s LA-based store in Culver City.
“This just wrapped up last month,” she said. “The response we received for the brand was incredible and this has given us confidence to pursue our own locations.
“We are currently building out our US bricks-and-mortar strategy opportunities.”
All this comes as Dissh recorded a 107% uplift on previous year turnover to-date in the US market.
Henry-Hicks said since launching its US market entry strategy in FY19/20, its US contribution has grown from 0% to around 30% for FY22/23
“While we continue to build and nurture our audience at home in Australia, we are also focusing on scaling the US market as trendlines indicate that this will overtake AU/NZ in the next year or two.”
In Australia, Dissh will continue to expand its store network outside of its base of operations in Queensland. This includes its first Sydney store in Bondi pitted to open by end of September.
“We have a strong following and well-established customer base in Sydney, so we are excited to finally offer them an in-store experience,” Henry-Hicks said.
“We are big believers in omni-channel retailing. Australia is our home and we have no plans to slow down growing the brand here and providing every one of our customers Australia wide with the opportunity to experience the brand.”
Dissh’s workforce is predominantly women at 92%.