Research Unit goes from strength to strength

The store, known as Observatory will stock the full range of Research Unit products, as well as a few select pieces from other high-end South African designers such as Gregor Jenkin and art from well-known South African artist, Athi Patra Ruga.

The store will be the luxury brand's first international outlet, although they have been exporting and selling internationally to wholesale clients as well as via their online store for some time. The Berlin flagship store will complement their local retail outlets at the Waterfront and the Biscuit Mill.

"This is a very exciting, if somewhat daunting move for us, and caps off what has been a really amazing time for our brand," explains co-founder Chad Petersen. "A little more than 18 months ago, we were working from home and selling our goods on a Saturday at the Biscuit Mill. Now, we have a dedicated factory and design studio space in Maitland, 10 employees, a stunning retail outlet at the V&A Waterfront, our space at the Biscuit Mill and soon, a retail shop in Germany."

The rapid rise of the Research Unit brand has been the result of a number of factors, according to co-founder Erin-Lee Petersen. "We have always had a very strong brand focus, and extremely high quality standards. However, when we were accepted for the SAB Kickstart entrepreneurial competition, things really started to fall into place for us as a business," she explains.

The husband and wife team used the grant money from Kickstart and support from SME specialist and Kickstart mentor Anton Ressel to increase the visibility of the Research Unit brand, as well as develop the infrastructure of the business. This involved taking on new premises and employing several new staff members, to cope with the growing demand for the company's high-end, timeless leather products.

Drawing their cue from established brands such as Saint Laurent and Alaia, the company has placed huge emphasis on positioning themselves as Africa's first progressive luxury brand. "At the 'luxury brand' level, having an excellent product is not a bonus, it is an expectation. All the other elements of the business must also be perfect, such as your corporate identity, quality of service and even the way your studio or factory looks. We have realised that a good product on its own is not enough, it is the quality of everything that happens around your product that makes your brand succeed at this level or not," she says.

For more information, go to www.researchunit.co.za.