Fifth & Pacific, formerly Liz Claiborne, underwent a complete restructuring last year and sold its eponymous label, along with Mexx, Monet, Dana Buchman and Kensie. The group explained that it intended to focus on Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Kate Spade, but obviously forgot to mention its plans for the menswear brand, Jack Spade, which the group acquired in 2006.

Summer clothing collection from Jack Spade, with leather accessories and luggage / Photos: Jack Spade

Jack Spade, which offers preppy-heritage men’s fashion, was created in 1996 and opened its first store on Greene Street in New York in 1999. With Cuan Hanly at the helm, the brand uses materials of only the highest quality to create its simplistic look, with shirts at $165, hoodies at $195, polo shirts at $145, chinos at $165, cardigans at $395 and suits from $1395. The brand also has a line of leather accessories with original detailing and bags for fashion-conscious men. In 2011 it seemed as though the group was banking on its menswear label, with the opening of stores in Washington and Boston and the doubling in size of its flagship store in New York, as well as opening one in Tokyo and launching a new version of its online shopping site.

And it seems to be equally ambitious in 2012. On 30th March, the brand will open its first European store in London – on Brewer Street in Soho, to be more precise. Spread over 1000 square feet, it will be the brand’s ninth store. It is however already distributed throughout Europe via specialised multi-brand stores such as Merci in Paris, the Folli Follie network in Italy, and Bellerose in Brussels. The brand is also keen to keep on exhibiting at the European trade shows, such as Pitti Uomo.