Journelle
Journelle is a multi-line, multi-brand luxury lingerie company based in New York. Founded by women for women,[3] the name Journelle comes from the archaic French word “journellement" meaning “daily”, as lingerie is designed to be worn everyday.
Industry | Apparel |
---|---|
Founded | 2007[1] |
Founder | Claire Chambers[1] |
Headquarters | |
Number of locations | 4 (Dec 2011)[2] |
Area served | United States and Canada |
Products | Bras Panties Hosiery Lingerie |
Number of employees | 70 |
Website | journelle |
Locations
New York
Journelle’s flagship store in Union Square opened its doors in December 2007. In November 2010, Journelle opened a store in Soho at 125 Mercer St. In 2011, Journelle opened its Upper East Side store on the corner of 73rd St. and 3rd Ave.
Products
Journelle carries lingerie ranging from everyday basics to special occasion. It is known to have “pretty, lacy, delicate lingerie”.[5] The store also stocks loungewear, hosiery, shapewear and accessories. Some of the brands and designers they carry include Chantelle, Hanky Panky, Eberjey, Fleur of England, Wolford, Natori, Simone Perele, and La Perla.
In February 2013, the company bottled their signature scent (the Linden flower) and created their own lingerie wash. Prior to the 2012 holiday season, they debuted luxury sleepwear under their company name and launched their full Journelle Collection AW15.
The Grey Lady
During the summer of 2013, Journelle launched a mobile pop-up shop road trip. The company retrofitted a 1970 Land Yacht Airstream to resemble the stores’ aesthetic and atmosphere; complete with a tucked away dressing room, a lounging banquette and custom shelving.[6] The airstream, named the Grey Lady, kicked off the summer in Sag Harbor, then traveled to Boston, Chicago, and Washington D.C. During New York Fashion Week, the Grey Lady popped up at the Standard Hotel’s High Line location.[7]
The road trip served as a way for Journelle to meet already loyal customers and introduce them to the personal in-store experience, as well as a way to test top e-commerce markets for potential store expansion.[6]
Free The Girls
In 2012, Journelle began an annual partnership with not-for-profit Free The Girls for a Spring Cleaning bra drive. Journelle collects gently used bras to send to the organization, which supports women who have been rescued from trafficking.[8] Journelle runs the drive in each of their stores, as well as online, offering discounts to participants who donate gently used bras. They also donate $1 for each bra donated.[9]
Free The Girls sends the bras to safe houses in Mozambique who help former victims of trafficking to sell the bras to other women in the community. By earning their own wages and building their own business model, these women are able to support themselves and their families.[8]
Acquisition
In Summer 2019 Journelle was acquired by Cosabella co-chief executive officer and creative director Guido Campello and his wife Sapna Palep.[10]
References
- Iredale, Jessica (19 August 2015). "Journelle Launches Private Label Lingerie Collection". Women's Wear Daily. No. Fashion News. United States. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0149-5380. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- Monget, Karyn; Ianaccone, Thomas (9 December 2011). "Journelle Expands Franchise". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 202 no. 121. United States. Penske Media Corporation. p. 10. ISSN 0149-5380. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- Casserly, Meghan (14 October 2011). "Journelle CEO Claire Chambers To Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Never Stop Networking". Forbes. United States. Forbes Media LLC. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- "Journelle". Time Out Chicago. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- "7 Lingerie Stores That Aren't Victoria's Secret". The Huffington Post. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Shop Spotlight: Journelle Airstream". Rue Daily. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- Monget, Karyn (4 September 2013). "Journelle Hits the Road in Vintage Airstream Trailer". Women's Wear Daily. No. Fashion News. United States. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Our Story". Free The Girls. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Journelle Spring Cleaning Bra Drive". Free The Girls. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- Ell, Kellie (October 15, 2019). "Lingerie Company Journelle Gets New Owners, Seeks to Expand Into Medical". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved October 15, 2019.