Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) announced last month an intriguing global collaboration with luxury western retailer Kemo Sabe, which is best known for its premium boots, hats, and western apparel.
The women’s-only collection includes genuine leather apparel and accessories, denim jeans and skirts, and jewelry. The denim jean skirts are available in both Classic and Curve Love, Abercrombie’s (ANF) viral fit that eliminates waist gap and features additional room through the hip and thigh for curve-hugging comfort. The collection, which ranges from $50 to $500, is designed for day-to-night versatility.
The partnership with Abercrombie (ANF) marks Aspen, Colorado-based Kemo Sabe’s first global retail collaboration, expanding its reach beyond the brand’s retail boutiques in the West.
“This collaboration allows us to take products that customers love from Abercrombie & Fitch and incorporate Kemo Sabe’s distinct design, leading to special items that will become cherished statement pieces,” highlighted Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) Chief Product Officer Corey Robinson.
Weighing in on the development, Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe noted that ANF’s collaboration with Kemo Sabe reinforces the mainstreaming of Western fashion and introduces an incremental competitive presence in the category for boot sellers such as Boot Barn (BOOT). It was noted that Urban Outfitters (URBN) and Steven Madden (SHOO) are also offering Western and equestrian-inspired assortments. “We believe this is a trend worth monitoring as fashion players expand their presence,” advised Tarlowe.
For the moment, Tarlowe said Boot Barn (BOOT) still has a strong moat even as competitive pressure at the edges emerges. “Fashion’s embrace of Western likely expands the top of the funnel, creating opportunities for Boot Barn to convert new customers into loyalists,” advised Tarlowe. “We think investors should view this as a trend validation rather than a structural headwind, with minimal risk today, but worth monitoring as competitive dynamics evolve, especially given where BOOT trades (>23x P/E),” he advised.