Latest news with #Kotn
Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Ethical Fashion Brand Kotn Opens First European Store In London
Kotn's first store in London is an ode to its Egyptian heritage and sustainability roots. Fred Howarth for Kotn Egyptian-Canadian clothing and homeware brand Kotn is opening a new store in London, its first location outside Canada and the U.S. Known for its high-quality apparel and home goods, Kotn has made a name for itself as a sustainable brand that puts community at the heart of everything it does — all communities: from cotton farmers in Egypt to the schools it funds with every order and the consumers hosted in its retail spaces. With this new location, the brand seeks to become a third space for cultural gatherings and community-building in Shoreditch, one of the most vibrant areas of London, honoring its guiding values around culture and connection. More Than A Store: A Space For Cultural Dialog To mark the store's opening, Kotn is hosting a series of events on May 30 and 31st that celebrate the brand's cultural roots, while forging connections and fostering the sense of community that is so close to the brand. It has designed a gathering experience inspired by traditional Arabic gathering spaces, where a curated group of London creatives and tastemakers from music, fashion, art and media are brought together and immersed in an intimate, warm, Cairo-inspired space. In addition, Kotn is organizing a block party with food, drinks and music that is open to all but will also welcome a series of influencers and other personalities close to the brand. While the first event is designed to create a really well-crafted, immersive experience that honors the brand's cultural heritage, the second aims to be a neighborhood event rather than a proper brand activation, aiming to echo the blend of cultures London —and the Shoreditch district specifically — and Kotn bring to the community. Rather than a marketing tactic, these activations are designed to give consumers a taste of what the brand genuinely stands for and the authentic community-building it forges. ' Our approach has always been about doing things that excite us and feel good, and through that, finding others who feel the same. That's how genuine communities are formed — through shared interests, values, and a shared vision of the world we want to help shape. It's that natural alignment, rather than a calculated strategy, that makes community such a central part of who we are as a brand,' shares Rami Helali, Kotn' co-founder and CEO. The sense of gathering physical retail can unlock is one that is making its return but is actually the essence of the channel, something that Helali believes since beginning to grow the brand's offline presence in 2017. Kotn's Lower East Side opening party in NYC, September 2024. Tori Mumtaz for Kotn Few brands approach culture and community so organically. But for Helali, community is a natural way of life that's inherent to the Arabic culture, so thinking of how to engage with consumers in a way that is enjoyable, authentic and genuine comes naturally. It is what has always influenced the brand's approach towards physical retail: stores aren't just locations where products are displayed and purchased, but embody third spaces for individuals to interact with Kotn beyond its products. Events are often held at its stores, with brands or individuals welcome to use the retail space as a venue for cultural gatherings. For example, Indian-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur hosted an open-mic at Kotn's Lower East Side location last year to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her now bestselling poetry book 'Milk and Honey'. In that sense, Kotn stores are not just retail locations but spaces for cultural expression and warm gatherings. Opening Its First Hospitality Concept, A Natural Next Step For Kotn This hosting mindset has inspired the brand's next milestone: the launch of its first hospitality concept, Beit Kotn (which means House of Kotn), also in London. In addition to the retail space, the brand will open a hotel on the floors above comprising a few rooms. With a collection of homeware, opening a hotel that features the brand's collections is a great way for individuals to discover and interact with products differently. But that's not the main reason why Helali decided to venture into hospitality: 'Hospitality has always been on our minds — even from day one. Our brand has always been about more than just physical products. It's about the values of the Middle East: warmth, generosity, community, and intention. So hospitality felt like a natural evolution.' Here again, the minds behind the brand are approaching new ventures in a way that feels completely organic. While we see many fashion brands going into hospitality retail to attract consumers and create new types of interactions, many are executed with a clear marketing angle and designed with social media reach in mind. Kotn's interest in opening its first hospitality concept goes far beyond that and doesn't need much explaining given the brand's constant focus on being a cultural bridge and source of gathering for its community. 'It's not just about the design or the products in the space, but how it's integrated into the community. We want guests to feel connected — to local businesses, creative leaders, restaurants — and to the rhythm of the neighborhood. Hospitality is a way for us to bring people into our world, rooted in quality, connection, and culture,' Helali says. Kotn's new store opening and expansion into hospitality marks a new chapter for the brand. Choosing London as its first European store was no coincidence: like Kotn, the city is a melting pot of cultures, home to vibrant communities, which deeply resonates with the brand's mission to foster conversations, connections and cultural dialog. Kotn's approach to physical retail is one that can inspire many peers, not just as a marketing tool but as a guiding principle for every brand touchpoint and interaction with consumers. By redefining retail as a cultural space rooted in neighborhood life and communities, the brand is reminding us what retail is truly about: cultivating human connection.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Ethical Fashion Brand Kotn Opens First European Store In London
Canadian-based clothing and homeware brand Kotn is opening a new store in London, its first location outside Canada and the U.S. Known for its high-quality apparel and home goods, Kotn has made a name for itself as a sustainable brand that puts community at the heart of everything it does — all communities: from cotton farmers in Egypt to the schools it funds with every order and the consumers hosted in its retail spaces. With this new location, the brand seeks to become a third space for cultural gatherings and community-building in Shoreditch, one of the most vibrant areas of London, honoring its guiding values around culture and connection. To mark the store's opening, Kotn is hosting a series of events on May 30 and 31st that celebrate the brand's cultural roots, while forging connections and fostering the sense of community that is so close to the brand. It has designed a gathering experience inspired by traditional Arabic gathering spaces, where a curated group of London creatives and tastemakers from music, fashion, art and media are brought together and immersed in an intimate, warm, Cairo-inspired space. In addition, Kotn is organizing a block party with food, drinks and music that is open to all but will also welcome a series of influencers and other personalities close to the brand. While the first event is designed to create a really well-crafted, immersive experience that honors the brand's cultural heritage, the second aims to be a neighborhood event rather than a proper brand activation, aiming to echo the blend of cultures London —and the Shoreditch district specifically — and Kotn bring to the community. Rather than a marketing tactic, these activations are designed to give consumers a taste of what the brand genuinely stands for and the authentic community-building it forges. ' Our approach has always been about doing things that excite us and feel good, and through that, finding others who feel the same. That's how genuine communities are formed — through shared interests, values, and a shared vision of the world we want to help shape. It's that natural alignment, rather than a calculated strategy, that makes community such a central part of who we are as a brand,' shares Rami Helali, Kotn' co-founder and CEO. The sense of gathering physical retail can unlock is one that is making its return but is actually the essence of the channel, something that Helali believes since beginning to grow the brand's offline presence in 2017. Few brands approach culture and community so organically. But for Helali, community is a natural way of life that's inherent to the Arabic culture, so thinking of how to engage with consumers in a way that is enjoyable, authentic and genuine comes naturally. It is what has always influenced the brand's approach towards physical retail: stores aren't just locations where products are displayed and purchased, but embody third spaces for individuals to interact with Kotn beyond its products. Events are often held at its stores, with brands or individuals welcome to use the retail space as a venue for cultural gatherings. For example, Indian-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur hosted an open-mic at Kotn's Lower East Side location last year to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her now bestselling poetry book 'Milk and Honey'. In that sense, Kotn stores are not just retail locations but spaces for cultural expression and warm gatherings. This hosting mindset has inspired the brand's next milestone: the launch of its first hospitality concept, Beit Kotn (which means House of Kotn), also in London. In addition to the retail space, the brand will open a hotel on the floors above comprising a few rooms. With a collection of homeware, opening a hotel that features the brand's collections is a great way for individuals to discover and interact with products differently. But that's not the main reason why Helali decided to venture into hospitality: 'Hospitality has always been on our minds — even from day one. Our brand has always been about more than just physical products. It's about the values of the Middle East: warmth, generosity, community, and intention. So hospitality felt like a natural evolution.' Here again, the minds behind the brand are approaching new ventures in a way that feels completely organic. While we see many fashion brands going into hospitality retail to attract consumers and create new types of interactions, many are executed with a clear marketing angle and designed with social media reach in mind. Kotn's interest in opening its first hospitality concept goes far beyond that and doesn't need much explaining given the brand's constant focus on being a cultural bridge and source of gathering for its community. 'It's not just about the design or the products in the space, but how it's integrated into the community. We want guests to feel connected — to local businesses, creative leaders, restaurants — and to the rhythm of the neighborhood. Hospitality is a way for us to bring people into our world, rooted in quality, connection, and culture,' Helali says. Kotn's new store opening and expansion into hospitality marks a new chapter for the brand. Choosing London as its first European store was no coincidence: like Kotn, the city is a melting pot of cultures, home to vibrant communities, which deeply resonates with the brand's mission to foster conversations, connections and cultural dialog. Kotn's approach to physical retail is one that can inspire many peers, not just as a marketing tool but as a guiding principle for every brand touchpoint and interaction with consumers. By redefining retail as a cultural space rooted in neighborhood life and communities, the brand is reminding us what retail is truly about: cultivating human connection.
CairoScene
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Kotn's SS25 Campaign Reclaims the Art of Arab Leisure
Kotn's 'Stories of Nothingness from Everywhere' proves that in a world of endless motion, stillness is a power move. Kotn's SS25 campaign doesn't posture or plead. It lives in the dust-light of afternoons, the split watermelon on a street-side chair, the heat-dazed nothingness of a summer too rich to explain. Shot by Dexter Navy, directed by Mariam El Gendy, styled by Zahra Asmail, and designed by Sarah Asmail, 'Stories of Nothingness from Everywhere' taps into a frequency few brands dare to tune into: the luxurious clarity of unhurried time. Founded with a deceptively simple ambition - to create the perfect t-shirt without compromising people or planet - Kotn has sharpened its ethos into a full wardrobe. Certified B-Corp status, sustainable textiles, community investment: the brand's story is as finely woven as its fabrics. But SS25 pulls even deeper, excavating a cultural pulse that is both fiercely Arab and defiantly global. "My summers back home felt full and impactful," says Rami Helali, Kotn's CEO and co-founder. "But when I tried to explain to my western friends what I did, I had nothing to report back. Long, sun-soaked days with friends, sitting around, doing nothing." Helali paints scenes with the precision of someone who knows what Western timelines can't measure: "Spending 45 minutes arguing over a bill, with no worries about your next appointment, because generosity is more important than a schedule." The campaign leans into that logic. Abdallah Diab and Bader El Ramly, both artists in their own right, move languidly through frames - shirts undone, bodies loose - inhabiting a world where tea steeps in the scorch of summer. Helali recalls bargaining with the fakahany (fruit vendor), only for a heated negotiation to end with a shared watermelon and a match on TV. "Fruit isn't only meant to be enjoyed after cutting on a perfect board in your aesthetic house," he says. That ethos - life as it is, not staged for consumption - breathes through the soft tailoring, the dust-muted palettes, the stitched ease of each piece. Even a casual meet-up carries gravitational pull. "Going to meet your parents at the nady to say a quick hello, that turns into your whole group of friends joining your parents and their friends to sit around, drink juice, smoke shisha, and get roasted about how our team was doing that season," Helali remembers. Kotn isn't selling a lifestyle but rather it's preserving one. The campaign is a quiet refusal of the hollow productivity that flattens human connection. It's a study in how ease can be a design principle, how being two hours late is not delinquency but rhythm. "It's these moments of nothing, of leisure, that make us the richest people in the world," Helali says. SS25 doesn't merely capture that sentiment - it clothes it, houses it, hands it back without apology. Not a dreamscape, but a memoryscape. Kotn's 'Stories of Nothingness from Everywhere' proves that in a world of endless motion, stillness is a power move.
CairoScene
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Kotn's Tefnut: Built for the Wild, Styled for the City
Tefnut is a return to nature, a nod to Kotn's Egyptian roots, and a reminder that adventure begins with what you wear. There's a certain poetry in wearing something that feels like it belongs to the land itself—something that carries the elements, resists them, and moves with them. Tefnut , the latest collection by Kotn is a return to the origins of textile craftsmanship. Designed with a utilitarian edge and crafted from 100% organic paper-touch cotton, the collection reimagines what outerwear can be—breathable, lightweight, water-resistant, and built to endure without the synthetic footprint of modern techwear. For Kotn, this isn't just a design choice—it's a philosophy. The Canadian-Egyptian brand, founded in 2015 by Rami Helali, Benjamin Sehl, and Mackenzie Yeates, was built on a simple but radical idea: that fashion could be both ethical and essential. What started as an effort to reclaim the narrative of Egyptian cotton - long lost to the global fast fashion machine - and reconnect it to its land and its people, has since grown into a globally recognized label. Known for its minimalist, high-quality basics and its direct partnerships with farmers in the Nile Delta. Kotn has embedded itself in social impact, using its proceeds to fund schools in rural Egypt, a mission woven as deeply into its DNA as its textiles. Tefnut is the next step in that evolution. Shot against the alien-white rock formations of Egypt's Western Desert, the collection is a tribute to nature's resilience—crafted with a fabric that echoes the durability of the landscapes it was made for. 'A lot of activewear today, if not all of it, is made with oil. It's plastic,' says Helali. 'We wanted to achieve the same results—being out in the wild, in the elements, experiencing the beauty of nature—without compromising what we stand for, which is natural fibers.' The tightly woven cotton, a fabric that has existed for millennia, acts as an organic shield against wind and water. Over time, as it breaks in, it develops a lived-in softness, a personal imprint of every journey taken. Every detail in the collection serves a purpose—double-needle stitching reinforces the seams, pocket construction nods to heritage design, two-way zips allow for adaptability. The campaign itself is a personal one. Helali grew up exploring Egypt's outdoors with his closest friend, Zaatar. 'We'd seen so much of Egypt together—whether it was spearfishing, diving, camping—and that was the genesis of this idea. How do we take these experiences we grew up knowing so well and bring them to life?' he says. Bringing together a group of 26 people—including guides from Farafra Oasis, old friends, and creatives with backgrounds in extreme outdoor sports—the shoot became more than just a campaign. It became a shared experience, a reconnection to the land. 'That's what made it special,' Helali explains. 'Bringing all of these people together to experience the same adventures we had growing up.' At its core, Tefnut is a reminder that fashion doesn't have to come at the expense of the environment. It can be both functional and natural, forward-thinking yet deeply rooted in history. And in a world where outdoor gear is increasingly built from synthetics, Kotn is offering something different—something that, like the desert itself, is shaped by time, wear, and the stories it collects along the way.
CBC
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Inside a grand Georgian home filled with charming original details and chic modern updates
Kotn co-founder Mackenzie Yeates is bringing new life to her space with art, personal touches and big plans When Mackenzie Yeates first went to see her Georgian house in Toronto's Lawrence Park neighbourhood, its details drew her in. She appreciated the original mouldings, windows and plaster rosettes, and felt the impressive entryway and winding staircase were like something out of a movie. Still, there were changes that Yeates made within months. She wanted to replace the terracotta tiles in the foyer and had handmade concrete tiles with a limestone look laid down. She and her family took on basement and kitchen improvements themselves. Downstairs, they painted and installed carpet to create an attractive yet sturdy space her kids could own, while upstairs, they brightened the backsplash and cabinets of the back-of-house kitchen. But the grandest of Yeates's plans is yet to come to fruition: she intends to move the kitchen to the formal dining area, a large room off the stately entryway with a fireplace to boot. It seems just right for a home where the principal bedroom flaunts a chandelier, another fireplace and alabaster sconces that emit a moonlight-like glow. I think not being precious with things — allowing counters to get stained, and furniture and floors to get scuffed up a little — is what makes a place feel warm, inviting and authentic. Image | On The Inside - ep102 5 (CBC Life) Open Image in New Tab Image | On The Inside - ep102 6 Caption: One large area comprises the living room and dining room, allowing for family and guests to gather en masse and move freely. (CBC Life) Open Image in New Tab It's also a place where memories with friends and family are created regularly — her parents live just two blocks away — and where cherished art is displayed. A few standouts include timeless pieces by her father and family friend Jeffrey Harrison, and a wall-sized, decidedly modern photo by Sarah Blais (created to promote Kotn, the Canadian clothing and textiles brand that Yeates co-founded). Image | On The Inside - ep102 8 Caption: Yeates enjoys working in the sunroom. Extending off the dining room, the space is also where the family naturally gathers after meals. (CBC Life) Open Image in New Tab Watch this episode of On the Inside to see how Yeates has brought her vision to life thus far. And read on for more about her decor inspiration and approach. Mackenzie Yeates on home decor and design (As told to CBC Life. These answers have been edited and condensed.) Image | On The Inside - ep102 9 Caption: Yeates in her living room, seated near a wall-sized photo from a Kotn photo shoot. (CBC Life) Open Image in New Tab I would describe my home design style as classic, warm and a little bit European. I make this esthetic my own by displaying artwork and other items that have a lot of personal meaning to me. I love natural materials, and my splurges will always be wood furniture, marble and trees. I then like to mix in some modern pieces, like my dining table and chairs that are more mid-century, or provocative photography. I'm constantly clocking inspiration everywhere I go… Image | On The Inside - ep102 10 Caption: A large armoire in the entryway sits in between two distinctly designed doorways. The arched doorway leads to the dining room, and was designed to mimic an arched passageway in the upstairs hallway. (CBC Life) Open Image in New Tab The layout of my home is one of its most interesting features. Its rambling design creates distinct zones, each with its own potential for a unique mood and design style. The openness of the front entry and the upstairs landing adds a sense of tranquility, acting as peaceful "white space" within the overall flow of the house. As a Georgian Revival home, its decorative elements are more understated compared to the ornate details of, say, Victorian architecture. This simplification makes it easier to strike a balance between honouring its historical character and maintaining a contemporary esthetic. I've always been someone who relies very heavily on my intuition. I'm constantly clocking inspiration everywhere I go and storing it in my brain to be pulled out at random times. With this being my own home, it's been a very gut-focused process, choosing things I truly love but also things that will be comfortable and easy to live with. I think not being precious with things — allowing counters to get stained, and furniture and floors to get scuffed up a little — is what makes a place feel warm, inviting and authentic.
