For a long time, the two friends Kasper Weinrich Schübeler, also known as ‘Spacey‘, and Mads Hancock had been thinking and talking about setting up a business of their own. They dreamt about being their own bosses while still being able to work with well-crafted products, preferably with a rich history and “soul,” that they could truly vouch for. On June 1st the dream came true as rich and hanc. agency was officially established. Their portfolio includes Pendleton, Eastland Maine, Fracap, and Han Kjøbenhavn; in other words, a full lifestyle package. This article is my attempt to help spread the word about this new Scandinavian agency founded and run by two denim lovers with blue blood in their veins.
Kasper and Mads have previously been working together in the sales departments for both Levi’s and Vernon Sport (Clip & Rope and Aigle, respectively). Through his network in the clothing business, Kasper was offered the Scandinavian agency of Pendleton and Eastland Maine, while Mads had been planning to join his brothers company, Han Kjøbenhavn, for a while. It seemed like the timing was right and everything was falling into place. They have established a showroom in a beautiful old apartment with an open fireplace and wooden ‘herringbone’ floors in central Copenhagen overlooking Frederik’s Church (the Marble Church).
But let’s cut to the chase, here’s a quick overview of some of the products that they have in display at the moment. Pendleton doesn’t really require any further introduction, but let me just say that I think we’ll being a whole lot more of the old American wool manufacturer in Scandinavia from now on. The Pendleton Portland Collection is a selection of neat and reasonably priced accessories.
The Pendleton Home Collection offers Kasper and Mads the opportunity to work with shops, customers, and entire industries completely new to them. For instance, who wouldn’t like to find one of these beautiful blankets when checking into a hotel?
Below you’ll find a few selected pieces from the menwear’s line, most of them fitted for the European customers.
For more than 55 years, the family owned footwear company Eastland has been handcrafting casual classic shoes, rugged leather boots & chukkas, moccasins, boat shoes, loafers, oxfords, and almost any other kind of leather shoe you can think of. Every pair is handcrafted with the original moccasin construction using the finest workmanship and quality leathers.
And a few eye-catching women’s styles.
Besides the three above-mentioned brands, rich and hanc. agency also work with the Italian bootmakers, Fracap and Colorado based and American made TOPO Designs bags. You can read more about TOPO here.
The history of the Fracap stretches back more than a 100 years to 1908 when craftsman Antonio Cappello opened his first workshop. In 1948, after his two sons, Alfredo and Giovanni, had taken over the family busines the name was change to Fracap, put together by the first syllables in Fratello and Cappello. Like so many others of its kind, Fracap was based in Monteroni di Lecce, a small town swarming from 800 families all of them specialised in the production of footwear and dedicated to durable and suitable footwear for the local fishing and agricultural industries.
In 1987, Alfredo’s sons, Anthony and Michael, took over and expanded the company portfolio by launching an innovative line of shoes that rapidly became a success with the Italian military forces. Until a few years ago Fracap was only available on the Japanese market where they had became a European favourite for their hiking boots. But since the brand was introduced in Europe by a leading European online store (I’m guessing oki-ni), Fracap are gaining popularity in Europe as well. In addition to the superior quality and very small production minimums Fracap boots are also very reasonably priced and retail from around DKK 1800 (€240/$300).
Fracap also does women’s shoes.
Still, the brand that is making the economic foundation for the agency is Han Kjøbenhavn. You can already read more about the brand here.
rich and hanc. agency still have one ace up their sleeve as they have just added yet another major American brand to their impressive portfolio. Unfortunately I cannot yet disclose which brand it is.
Words by Thomas Bojer.
Thomas Bojer
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