About Charles Keith
Charles & Keith is a Singaporean fashion label specializing in footwear, handbags, and fashion accessories.
Here are the key points about the brand:
- Founding: It was established in 1996 by brothers Charles and Keith Wong in Singapore. They started their first store at Amara Shopping Centre after gaining experience working at their parents’ shoe store.
- Business Model: They shifted from the traditional model of selling wholesale-purchased shoes to designing their own shoes in 1997, which allowed them to emerge from intense competition and gain brand recognition.
- Product Range: The brand offers a diverse range of products, including shoes, bags, eyewear, accessories, and costume jewellery. They have also introduced a collection for kids and manage the separate men’s and women’s footwear and accessories brand Pedro.
- Market Position: Charles & Keith is generally positioned in the “affordable luxury” or “fast-fashion retailer” segment, known for offering high-quality, trendy, and runway-inspired designs at accessible price points.
- Global Presence: The brand has expanded globally, operating more than 600 stores worldwide across over 30 countries, with a strong presence in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East. They also operate a global e-commerce website.
- Ownership: The company is currently fully owned by the Wong family. In 2011, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) had acquired a 20% stake through its private equity arm, L Capital Asia, but the Wong brothers have since brought their shares back.