With the goal of becoming “the biggest luxury fashion brand in the world,” Capitol Hill upscale fashion boutique owner Jill Wenger is taking her act to New York City.
“We’re leaving so we can globalize,” Wenger told the Seattle Times. “I want to be the biggest luxury fashion brand in the world, and the most coveted and the most beloved.”
The current flagship Totokaelo, opened adjacent Elliott Bay Book Company in summer 2012 as part of a mini retail revival on 10th Ave in the middle of Pike/Pine’s nightlife success and expanded in 2013 to add a lower level men’s floor, will remain open. But the company’s executive core is following Wenger to New York for adventures we’ll probably be reading about soon in glossy magazines.
Wenger moved her store from Pioneer Square to 10th Ave as the pendulum swung in the area from tenants like sex club Basic Plumbing to Odd Fellows Cafe and Elliott Bay in 2012. CHS spoke with Wenger about her entrepreneurial spirit as Totokaelo debuted on the Hill. The East Coast connection has always been strong with early Totokaelo media write-ups frequently including the soundbite that “80%” of the shop’s online sales were made in New York.
The move leaves behind a seemingly posh bit of office space in the Odd Fellows building next door. “CREATIVE/DESIGN OFFICE FOR LEASE,” the listing reads, “as seen on Remodelista.” The former Totokaelo HQ will run you $6,500/month for the 2,500 square-foot space with 25-foot ceilings. “The space is amazing,” the listing promises.
You can visit Totokaelo Seattle at 1523 10th Ave. Learn more at totokaelo.com.
Can you post a link to the office listing?
Search Craigslist. Listings get nuked and re loaded so often, I’ve stopped linking to CL stuff
I love their clothing and style but it’s way too expensive. Sometimes it’s way too expensive for its construction and design, still a lovely store. Perhaps they should downsize? It seems too large for what it is.
Good riddance. Anyone that has worked there can attest to the terrible working conditions and the poor structure of the business. The owner has simultaneously claimed that she loves Seattle and giving back while also believing that she’s above it. I’m surprised that she hasn’t cycled out of potential new employees in the city faster.
WOW! Just read the reviews on Glassdoor and it seems like an awful place to work.
Someone in the CH feel they deserve more than what they think CH is worth?
Not surprised.
Agreed! I remember reading help wanted ads which were basically “You would be lucky to work here so I’ll pay you $10/hour to be my bitch.” I want to move to NY just to watch them fail.
I like Wenger ‘s confidence and assertion to make his brand the biggest and mostly converted after globally. Thia is a very tall order he is setting for himself.
[…] of “technical luxury” clothier Kit and Ace on E Pike earlier this summer. Buoyed by the arrival of Totokaelo on 10th Ave in 2012, luxury and upper-scale clothing retail has joined vintage and […]