Draper James Explained

Draper James is a clothing line launched by actress Reese Witherspoon, founded in 2015.[1] A nod to Witherspoon’s Southern upbringing, the line aims to "emphasize [Witherspoon's] southern roots and personal style".[2] The name is in honor of Witherspoon’s grandparents, Dorothea Draper and William James Witherspoon.[1]

On September 6, 2023, private investment firm Consortium Brand Partners acquired the lifestyle brand.[3]

History

Draper James launched with products available in May 2015[4] under the supervision of former president of Burch Creative Capital, Andrea Hyde,[5] and an initial $7 million in seed investment.[6] In October 2015, Draper James announced a $10 million round of investment funding from early-stage investment firm, Forerunner Ventures.[6]

In October 2015, Draper James launched its first brick and mortar store in Witherspoon’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.[7] The second store opened in Dallas, Texas in September 2016.[8] The Dallas location was moved to a popup in Southlake, Texas in September 2019.[9] In May 2017, the Lexington, Kentucky location opened at The Summit at Fritz Farm.[10] In December 2017, they opened in Atlanta Georgia at the Shops Around Lenox in Buckhead.

Draper James has been featured in People,[11] Vanity Fair,[12] Oprah Magazine,[13] and Coveteur,[14] among others, and the signature "totes y'all" bag was seen in the Gilmore Girls Revival.[15]

In March 2017, Draper James was voted "Best Shop in Tennessee" by Southern Living.[16] That same month, Draper James launched a partnership with beauty-subscription service Birchbox.[17]

In April 2017, Draper James partnered with sandal brand Jack Rogers to launch three different styles of the classic Jack Rogers sandal.[18] Draper James and Net-a-Porter announced a partnership in May 2017.[19]

In September 2017, Taylor Rettig replaced Hyde as the company's CEO.[20]

Draper James hired Kathryn Sukey as the new head of design, whose first collection debuted[21] in Spring of 2019. Sukey also designed the first in-house plus size collection for the brand.

In February 2022, they dropped a new line in partnership with Kohl's.[22] [23]

In August 2023, Consortium Brand Partners acquired a 70% stake in the company for an undisclosed amount.[24]

Products

The line features a wide range of clothing, accessories and home decor designed to “embrace the beauty and style and excitement that embodies what is happening in the South today,”[25] with prices geared more toward high-end shoppers. Products often feature slang common to the Southeast United States, such as a tote bag with the phrase “totes y’all” imprinted on the bag.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Duboff. Josh. Will Reese Witherspoon's Draper James Unite Blake Lively and Gwyneth Paltrow?. Vanity Fair. 6 May 2015. Vanity Fair. 27 January 2016.
  2. Web site: Malkin. Marc. Rosenbaum. Claudia. Reese Witherspoon's Lifestyle Company Gets a Name, Plans to Open a Retail Store. E! Style. 24 April 2014. E! Entertainment Television. 28 January 2016.
  3. Web site: Draper James is the latest DTC brand acquired as the sector consolidates. Glossy. 2023-09-13. en.
  4. Web site: O'Connor. Claire. Reese Witherspoon Scores $10 Million Investment For Lifestyle Brand Draper James. Forbes. 28 January 2016.
  5. Web site: Reese Witherspoon Hires C. Wonder President Andrea Hyde. Women's Wear Daily. Penske Media Corporation. Medina. Marcy. 13 March 2014. 28 January 2016.
  6. Web site: Dave. Paresh. Reese Witherspoon has a startup, and it just got a $10-million check. LA Times. 5 October 2015. 28 January 2016.
  7. Web site: Mitchell. Heidi. Reese Witherspoon's Draper James To Open Brick And Mortar Locations. Fast Company. 7 October 2015. Fast Company. 28 January 2016.
  8. News: Reese Witherspoon Had the Most Instagrammable Day Ever Opening Her Dallas Store!. 2016-10-12. PEOPLE.com. 2017-05-10. en-US.
  9. Web site: Reese Witherspoon's Draper James to open a pop-up store in Southlake . 2019-09-30 . The Business Journals.
  10. News: Reese Witherspoon's retail store Draper James opens at The Summit. kentucky. 2017-05-10. en.
  11. News: PHOTOS: See Inside Reese Witherspoon's Classic-Chic Dallas Draper James Store!. 2016-10-10. PEOPLE.com. 2017-05-10. en-US.
  12. Web site: Step Inside the Charming, Star-Studded Dinner for Feed and Reese Witherspoon's Draper James. Vanities. 11 November 2016. 2017-05-10.
  13. News: Reese Witherspoon Showed Us How to Throw a Classic Southern Party. Oprah.com. 2017-05-10. en-us.
  14. Web site: Reese Witherspoon. Coveteur. 2017-05-10.
  15. News: The 7 Most Fantastic Fashion Moments from the *Gilmore Girls* Reboot. Silverstein. Noah. Glamour. 2017-05-10. en.
  16. News: Why Y'all Love Draper James So Much. Southern Living. 2017-05-10.
  17. News: Reese Witherspoon Teams with Birchbox to Curate a Limited Draper James Inspired Beauty Box. 2017-02-22. PEOPLE.com. 2017-05-10. en-US.
  18. News: Reese Witherspoon's Brand Draper James Is Collaborating With This Iconic Sandal Brand. Allen. Rachael. 2017-04-25. Footwear News. 2017-05-10. en-US.
  19. News: Reese Witherspoon and Net-a-Porter Launch Exclusive Draper James Capsule Collection (Start Shopping Y'all!). 2017-05-10. PEOPLE.com. 2017-05-10. en-US.
  20. Web site: Draper James CEO Andrea Hyde to Exit; Taylor Rettig Named Interim Chief. Medina. Marcy. 2017-09-12. WWD. en. 2019-09-30.
  21. Web site: Reese Witherspoon's Draper James announces new designer and expanded assortment. 2019-01-28. Magid. en-US. 2019-09-30.
  22. Web site: 2022-02-22 . Reese Witherspoon Just Dropped a New Draper James Line at Kohl’s That Has Major ‘Bridgerton’ Vibes . 2022-05-21 . Glamour . en-US.
  23. Web site: Lockwood . Lisa . 2022-05-02 . Kohl’s Extends Partnership With Draper James RSVP Through End of Year . 2022-05-21 . WWD . en-US.
  24. Web site: Danziger . Pamela N. . Power Play: Reese Witherspoon Sells 70% Of Draper James To Consortium And Stays On Its Board . 2024-01-30 . Forbes . en.
  25. Web site: Murray. Rheana. Check out Reese Witherspoon's new Southern-inspired fashion line. Today. 28 January 2016.
  26. Web site: Schmidt. Ingrid. Reese Witherspoon's Draper James collection has Southern charm. LA Times. 12 October 2015. 28 January 2016.

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