ABOUT YOUNG DESIGNERS EMPORIUM YDE was founded in 1995 by Paul Simon. The first YDE store was opened in September 1995 in Cape Town & thereafter a further 12 stores were opened nationally. Paul Simon sold a majority shareholding to Truworths in 2003 and in 2005 sold his remaining shareholding to Truworths, who now own 100% of YDE. The current 19 stores are located in prime retail shopping centers across South Africa. YDE stores can be found in Cavendish Square, Centurion, Century City, Cresta, Eastgate, Gateway, Greenacres, Hemingways, Loch Logan, Melrose Arch, Menlyn, Midlands Mall, Pavilion, Rosebank, Sandton, Somerset Mall, The Glen, Tygervalley and the V&A Waterfront. The very concept of YDE was first thought of as a means to showcase the local talent of South Africa’s clothing and accessory designers. YDE created a store for young, trendy customers of both sexes and was able to offer cutting edge, sexy, chic, expressive, edgy, underground and original clothing & accessories to customers who followed both local and international trends, but were individualists who did not conform to set or pre-defined standards. YDE first opened its store with only 10 designers and to-date YDE houses in excess of 90 local fashion designers who supply YDE outlets nationwide. The categories of merchandise available within YDE comprise of clothing, footwear, bags, accessories, jewellery & homeware. There are roughly 43 ladies clothing designers & 13 men’s clothing designers & around 37 designers offering footwear, bags, accessories, jewellery & homeware. Should a new designer wish to join YDE, they would need to contact Annick at the YDE head office on 021 460 2805. An Application Form would need to be completed and submitted together with 7/8 photographs of designs that the designer feels would be suitable for YDE. YDE takes designers merchandise on consignment and the designers can set their own market-related prices. The designers receive a monthly payment for their sales less a monthly display fee and sales commission payable to YDE. YDE offers the designers access to systems which allow them to view sales & stock information on a daily basis. YDE is renowned for their window campaigns. The YDE window campaigns always put across what could be a boring retail message in an irreverent, surprising manner, that’s sure to turn heads in the mall environment. In 2004, YDE introduced their version of a store card & called it “Plastic”. To date YDE has over 16,000 customers who shop on “Plastic”. Plastic account holders are given first hand knowledge of the famous YDE sales and new campaigns or promotions that are taking place. If you would like to become a Plastic account holder or know of someone that would like to become an account holder, there are 3 simple ways to apply: Application Forms can be found at all till points within all YDE stores, one can SMS 31229 along with your initials, surname & ID number or alternatively, one may complete an online Application Form by visiting our website, www.yde.co.za RISING TALENT INITIATIVE The Young Designers Emporium is at the forefront of supporting local fashion. The new Rising Talent initiative is part of this philosophy. The Young Designers Emporium is the leader in identifying and supporting local fashion talent. With the Rising Talent initiative we are underlining this attitude and bringing you a taster of future fashion talent. Rising talent fashion is available in
