Ghurka’s 2nd life includes the use of Italian leather and Italian manufacturing. The brand had reached its peak notoriety during the 80s and 90s, when it was “Wall Street’s briefcase”. Then came the crisis, which ended in the brand declaring bankruptcy in 2018. A year later a group of investors from Cleveland, which is restructuring and re-organizing the business, bought it to save it. Just a few days ago, the owners announced 3 managers in 3 key positions.
Ghurka’s 2nd life
Ghurka hired Jacques Panis as president, John Truex (ex-creative director of Tiffany Leather Collection) as creative director and Christina North (previously at Vera Bradley), as head of finance. “The three are elaborating a 5-year strategic plan for the brand”, reads an official statement made by the brand. Ghurka was founded in 1974 by Marley Hodgson and carries the name of a British Army unit made of Nepalese soldiers. The brand lived its better days between the 80s and 90s, to then experience a decline that later brought the brand to its knees. Ghurka requested to enter Chapter 11 in 2018.
The new owners’ plan
Ghurka was purchased in 2019 by a group of investors made of Steve and Anna Latkovic and Glenn Pollock, all located in Cleveland. Many of the brand’s products are still made in Norwalk, Connecticut, as of today. Other ones are made in Tuscany, or Ubrique, Spain. All the leather used is full grain and, in part, comes from Italy.
Read also:
