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, a 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]

References

  1. 1 2 Duboff, Josh (6 May 2015). "Will Reese Witherspoon's Draper James Unite Blake Lively and Gwyneth Paltrow?". Vanity Fair. Vanity Fair. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Malkin, Marc; Rosenbaum, Claudia (24 April 2014). "Reese Witherspoon's Lifestyle Company Gets a Name, Plans to Open a Retail Store". E! Style. E! Entertainment Television. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "Draper James is the latest DTC brand acquired as the sector consolidates". Glossy. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  4. ↑ O'Connor, Claire. "Reese Witherspoon Scores $10 Million Investment For Lifestyle Brand Draper James". Forbes. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Medina, Marcy (13 March 2014). "Reese Witherspoon Hires C. Wonder President Andrea Hyde". Women's Wear Daily. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  6. 1 2 Dave, Paresh (5 October 2015). "Reese Witherspoon has a startup, and it just got a $10-million check". LA Times. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Heidi (7 October 2015). "Reese Witherspoon's Draper James To Open Brick And Mortar Locations". Fast Company. Fast Company. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon Had the Most Instagrammable Day Ever Opening Her Dallas Store!". PEOPLE.com. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  9. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon's Draper James to open a pop-up store in Southlake". The Business Journals. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  10. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon's retail store Draper James opens at The Summit". kentucky. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  11. ↑ "PHOTOS: See Inside Reese Witherspoon's Classic-Chic Dallas Draper James Store!". PEOPLE.com. 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  12. ↑ "Step Inside the Charming, Star-Studded Dinner for Feed and Reese Witherspoon's Draper James". Vanities. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  13. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon Showed Us How to Throw a Classic Southern Party". Oprah.com. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  14. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon". Coveteur. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  15. ↑ Silverstein, Noah. "The 7 Most Fantastic Fashion Moments from the *Gilmore Girls* Reboot". Glamour. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  16. ↑ "Why Y'all Love Draper James So Much". Southern Living. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  17. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon Teams with Birchbox to Curate a Limited Draper James Inspired Beauty Box". PEOPLE.com. 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  18. ↑ Allen, Rachael (2017-04-25). "Reese Witherspoon's Brand Draper James Is Collaborating With This Iconic Sandal Brand". Footwear News. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  19. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon and Net-a-Porter Launch Exclusive Draper James Capsule Collection (Start Shopping Y'all!)". PEOPLE.com. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  20. ↑ Medina, Marcy (2017-09-12). "Draper James CEO Andrea Hyde to Exit; Taylor Rettig Named Interim Chief". WWD. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  21. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon's Draper James announces new designer and expanded assortment". Magid. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  22. ↑ "Reese Witherspoon Just Dropped a New Draper James Line at Kohl's That Has Major 'Bridgerton' Vibes". Glamour. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  23. ↑ Lockwood, Lisa (2022-05-02). "Kohl's Extends Partnership With Draper James RSVP Through End of Year". WWD. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  24. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2023/09/08/power-play-reese-witherspoon-sells-70-of-draper-james-to-consortium-and-joins-its-board/?sh=1313a3763f9c
  25. ↑ Murray, Rheana. "Check out Reese Witherspoon's new Southern-inspired fashion line". Today. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  26. ↑ Schmidt, Ingrid (12 October 2015). "Reese Witherspoon's Draper James collection has Southern charm". LA Times. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
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