Frank Delgadillo’s new brand Comune hosted a party Saturday for the industry and media at the brand’s headquarters in Costa Mesa.
Bands Woven Bones from Austin, Texas and Tender and the Ragbones from Portland and Los Angeles performed. The party also celebrated the opening of the Drop City art gallery, housed in a recycled steel shipping container at Comune’s headquarters. The idea was inspired by the original Drop City artist commune in the early 1960’s.
I was not able to go the party, but followed up with Frank and asked him a few questions about how business is going for Comune. Comune first major line arrives in stoes for the fall season. Click here for a previous interview I did with Frank when Comune started.
Comune arrives in stores for fall. What are some key retailers that will be carrying the brand?
Frank: COMUNE has been very well received by the skate market as well as the men’s contemporary market. We are pushing the boundaries within skate and because of this. … we have also been able to find support with some of the best contemporary boutiques across the country. For this fall, we will be in Jack’s, The Closet, American Rag, Revolveclothing.com, Inventory NYC, Villains, Active.
Are you having any challenges starting a brand in a tough economy?
Frank: We feel really fortunate for all of the support that we received with the launch of COMUNE. I feel that we launched this brand at the perfect time. The fashion industry across the board is softer now more than ever. Brands are trying to regroup and re-think their strategies to pull through these tough times. The difference with us is that we have launched our brand (during the recession) and we can only rise up with the economy as it regains strength not only in the US but globally.
(At right: Comune skate team manager Erik Hamamoto and Comune teamrider Braydon Szafranski.)
Is the line expanding for spring? If so, how?
Frank: For spring, I would say that you could expect a fuller and well-rounded collection with all categories to boot. We will be offering some amazing new developments in 5 pockets, board shorts, as well as the essential pieces of outerwear to get through the early months. Our spring collection is a representation of COMUNE coming into our own and honing in on who we are as a brand.
A year from now, where do you want Comune to be?
Frank: This is really a loaded question. A year from now I would like to see COMUNE and our distribution model mirrored Internationally. Who knows, maybe there will be a co-lab with Beams International Gallery Japan. We don’t really believe in expectations they just end up in disappointment. For now, we are pleased with the support we have and continue to receive.
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