T.ba, equestrian influences and international ambitions

In 1999, Mercedes López de Carrizosa and her sister founded T.ba, a womenswear brand with equestrian influences. The brand was born out of a need, because the sisters, skilled equestrians, had to wear their brothers’ clothing when horse riding. Currently, T.ba is a country-inspired brand with a more trend-led approach. It has seasonal collections, three stores in Madrid and London, and annual revenues of 5 million euros.

T.ba’s approach to design and manufacturing has elements of bespoke craftsmanship. “We introduce styles and fabrics, and each customer can choose how they want their outfit to be made. And we produce different collections for wholesale and retail. Tailoring is, for us as well as for the customer, very important. We design everything, from fabrics to buttons and lining. We want it to be something special,” said Gonzalo Prado, CEO.

The product range has expanded over the years, but T.ba retains its free spirit, blending a distinctive folk style with a sense of exclusivity. Offering sizes from EU36 to EU50, the brand has been trying to boost its occasion wear line in recent seasons. All products are 100% made in Spain. “We manufacture locally and our clothes are made to last, to be passed down through generations,” Prado continued.

T.ba says 50% of revenues come from wholesale and 50% from sales at its retail stores. The brand is available in over 135 stockists across 22 countries, with the US and UK leading the pack in terms of revenues. In the UK capital, T.ba has two standalone stores, one in Chelsea which opened in 2014, and a further site in Mayfair. “Both stores are performing well,” said Prado, adding that the brand is aimed at an “international and cosmopolitan woman”.

Additionally, the label operates in Spain, where it has a standalone store on Lagasca in Madrid and two concessions at El Corte Ingles in Serrano y Castellana. The wholesale business in Spain accounts for about 15% of revenues.

With an eye on international growth, T.ba is gearing up to join the next edition of Who’s Next in Paris, taking place on 17-20 January. “We have been coming to Paris for 16 years. It’s an interesting trade fair, because it provides a platform to meet our existing clients, but we miss attracting new customers and would love it if it would bring department store buyers.”

In addition to Who’s Next, T.ba attends four trade events in the US every year, in Las Vegas and New York, as well as a showcase in Nurnberg and a fashion fair in Salzburg.

This year, the brand will continue to boost its international business. “We are looking for strategic partners to expand our presence in Mexico and the US. We have a lot of room to grow in the Americas,” said the brand’s CEO.

T.ba, equestrian influences and international ambitions

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