NEW YORK — Abby Held has more than just handbags on her mind.
Held, the owner and designer of Kooba, is introducing a collection of contemporary tops for fall. Kooba launched in 1998 and now Held said she is closer to completely outfitting the Kooba customer — starting with the top.
“When I started the bags, the idea came from the fact that I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted in a bag,” she said. “I saw a need in the market. So, it’s a bit of the same with the clothing. I wanted items like these, and I couldn’t find them.”
A self-proclaimed fan of the casual jeans and T-shirt look, Held wanted a little something to spruce up her style. So the Kooba tops line consists of chunky and fine cashmere sweaters and leather jackets. The sweaters are all either trimmed in leather or come with a leather belt and the jackets all have snaps or buckles that mirror elements of the bag collection.
“They are pieces that finish you off, but add that unique item to the look,” she said.
Held said she is targeting high-end specialty and department stores with the tops collection, which wholesales from $100 to $500. While Held declined to give first-year sales expectations for the line, she said the bags are sold in more than 400 stores nationwide. Held said she will be launching more products, seeing shoes and home in her future. She said she also hopes to add more to her new men’s accessories line, which just bowed at retail.