Recently, Australian Brand City Chic announced that their line would be available in Nordstrom stores. The line has been available on Nordstrom’s website since last year and has been so successful that the move to being available in-store was a logical move for the brand.
City Chic is now available in eight Nordstrom locations across the US and to celebrate this exciting move, the brand held in-store events where customers got the opportunity to see a fashion presentation showing the latest City Chic looks as well as getting to meet the City Chic team and the international face of the brand Australian plus size model Courtney Maxwell.
We spoke to Carley Turner, City Chic Marketing Manager and the City Chic team on their thoughts on expanding into the US market, being available in Nordstrom stores and more.
PMM Blog Editor Marcy Cruz: Hi Carley and CC Team! Thanks so much for taking the time to grant us this interview. And congratulations on your recent launch in Nordstrom stores. For those readers who are not familiar with City Chic, who is the City Chic customer and what would you like to offer that customer?
Carley Turner/CC Team: The City Chic customer is savvy and sassy, and wants the latest looks and styles to make her look great and feel confident, no matter what her size. City Chic would like to offer her affordable, on-trend styles to show off her shape, from everyday curvy street and fashion wear, to body flattering jeans to glamorous evening dresses in sizes 14 – 24. BOLD – SEXY – GLAM – CHIC – every customer, ever team member, every garment, every advertising campaign, every decision embodies these four elements to make City Chic the leading global plus size fashion destination it is today.
PMM: Why do you feel it’s important to expand into the US market and how does Nordstrom fit into that?
Carley Turner/CC Team: After a ten year history of successful retail growth in the Australian, New Zealand and South African markets, it was a natural progression for City Chic to expand into the U.S. market. Why Nordstrom? Well, Nordstrom has plus size departments online and in most of its 117 full-line stores, so we believe it is the perfect partnership.
PMM: Why did City Chic expand from offering clothing online at Nordstrom.com to offering clothing in-store?
Carley Turner/CC Team: After the overwhelming positive customer response to City Chic’s online availability at Nordstrom.com since July 2013, the retailer invited City Chic to supply clothing for eight of its full-line stores starting March 15, 2014. The City Chic collection is now available at Nordstrom Fashion Valley (San Diego), Nordstrom Valley Fair (San Jose), Nordstrom Fashion Show (Las Vegas), Nordstrom Downtown Seattle, Nordstrom Old Orchard Center (Skokie), Nordstrom Michigan Ave (Chicago), Nordstrom Houston Gallerie and Nordstrom The Plaza at King Prussia (King of Prussia).
To celebrate the launch, Nordstrom, along with a City Chic team from Sydney, Australia, hosted five VIP fashion workshops at selected Nordstrom stores. We gave a fashion presentation on the hottest trends for Spring/Summer and showcased the latest City Chic fashion on three gorgeous curvy models, including the International Face of the brand, Courtney Maxwell (who is also our denim designer), offered styling tips and basically got the chance to meet some of the wonderful City Chic and Nordstrom customers.
PMM: That sounds like it was an amazing launch celebration. Will City Chic be expanding into more Nordstrom locations?
Carley Turner/CC Team: We can’t reveal anything just yet, however stay tuned and make sure to sign up for City Chic emails for updates…
PMM: Will City Chic’s entire range will be available in Nordstrom?
Carley Turner/CC Team: For the moment, it will just be a selected range.
PMM: Thank you, Carley and City Chic Team! We wish you the best of luck with your Nordstrom launches and look forward to hearing about more in-store launches and other great things to come for City Chic.
Here’s some images from the in-store celebrations hosted by City Chic in Nordstrom (click on each image to see full size:
To check out City Chic, click here.
To shop City Chic at Nordstrom, click here.