Sint Jorispoort 37
2000 Antwerp
Belgium
Instagram ID: @kingsqueens_store
Who are you and what is your role within the store?
My name is Hans Bollen and I’m the founder/owner of Kings & Queens. We run a store in Antwerp and an online webshop.
I have one store manager who has been working more than 10 years with us.
Can you describe what kind of store you have, or working in?
Kings & Queens is a only mens store in the heart of Antwerp City where we like to give a good mix of authentic and quality gear. We are an experience shop. You can try and feel everything.
Which brands are the core of the store collection?
Brands as Pike Brothers, Fleur de Bagne, Edwin Japan, Red Wing and Blundstone or our main brands. But every brand has its function in the shop. We like to add smaller brands to add what we miss, so we create a good mix of brands that are complementary to each other.
How do you select/spot new brands to add to the store?
We do visit fashion shows around the world where we talk to different brands and we have a good contact with other shop owners. We only buy what we like ourselves. When I see a new brand or go to a brand show it’s important to feel a connection with the brand owners. How do they work? Where is it made? How is it made… which materials do they use.
What is your favorite pair of jeans?
Fleur de Bagne Cargo pant , a very loose fit made in 14oz Kuroki Japanese fabric
How important are social channels to the store these days?
It’s important , I think we all know…. but for me the personal “live” contact with customers is so much more important. In the shop we can explain so much more than one picture. And…the social contact with our customers is the key thing why we have the shop in the first place…every customer has his own story and as a storyteller myself I like to hear these personal experiences. Talking about denim, fabrics, beers, bikes, travels, food…..it’s make me happy…that’s my social channel.
What kind of music are you playing mostly in the store?
A wide range of good music. It depends on my mood. but it needs a guitar… ;)
Are selling other goods as well next to clothing, if so, what kind of products?
We have a shop in shop with Red Wing shoes, so we’ve a wide range Red Wing with all the accessories and cleaning products. We sell Blundstone and some other accessories like pocket knives, jewelry etc.
What can we expect in the future of the store?
As we started in 2009 and still going strong we will go on this path… we follow the market and go search for new brands. We like local or local produced brands so we’re thinking of adding some European made brands…
image by bart boots photography