SSENSE
SSENSE (pronounced: "essence") is a multi-brand retailer based in Montreal, Canada specialising in the sale of designer fashion and high end streetwear. It was founded as an e-commerce platform in 2003 by three brothers: Rami, Bassel and Firas Atallah. The company delivers to 114 countries around the world and operates websites in Chinese, French, English, Japanese and Korean[1][2][3][4][5]
Industry | Fashion |
---|---|
Founded | 2003 |
Founder | Rami Atallah, Firas Atallah, Bassel Atallah |
Headquarters | Montreal, Canada |
Website | www |
History
SSENSE was founded in 2003 by brothers Firas, Rami and Bassel Atallah who were inspired to start an online fashion company by the experience of successfully selling a limited edition pair of Diesel jeans online. Their focus was on high-end brands, but their approach was consciously aimed at avoiding any snobbery or aloofness associated with luxury fashion and instead focusing on building an innovative platform to showcase a carefully selected set of products from brands that were chosen for their dedicated following. They also put a heavy emphasis on supporting smaller, emerging designers and brands.[6]
In 2014 the founders of SSENSE were bestowed the Entrepreneur of the Year award by Ernst & Young.[7] SSENSE was also named as one of the 30 leading global menswear retailers by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and The Business of Fashion.[8]
In 2017 Rami Atallah was named Honorary Chair of the 2017 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards.[9] Rami Atallah was also named to the jury for the International Woolmark Prize competition alongside industry leaders.[10]
In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Rami Atallah was named to The Business of Fashion BoF 500.[11]
In 2018, SSENSE opened a flagship retail store in a historic 19th century building in Montreal turned into an experiential retail space by architecture firm David Chipperfield. the 5-story building within a building includes a cafe, art space and a floor dedicated to a personal-shopper-guided online-offline hybrid, which is accessible by appointment only.[12][13]
On April 5, 2018, SSENSE acquired community-based fashion and art website Polyvore from Yahoo, immediately shutting it down.[14]
In June 2021 SSENSE received minority investment from Sequoia Capital that valued the company at over $4 billion USD.[15]
In December 2022, SSENSE was the target of a cyber attack where confidential employee data was compromised. SSENSE failed to notify past employees of the data breach as well as government officials.[16]
In January 2023, SSENSE laid off approximately 7% of its workforce, impacting 138 employees. In April 2023, Ssense again laid off more than 10% of its workforce including mid level management people.[17]
References
- "The Lavish Minimalism of Montreal's SSENSE Studio". Techvibes. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "The SSENSE of success > Magazine". Magazine. 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- Won, Nancy. "How Ssense is changing Canadian online shopping | Elle Canada". Elle Canada. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "The Montreal company shaking up luxury fashion, one pair of $860 sweatpants at a time". Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "Shopping: SSENSE | Martin Beauséjour | Style". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "SSENSE: Revolutionizing the world of fashion". Devenir Entrepreneur.
- "EY Entrepreneur Of The Year - 2014 National award winners". www.ey.com. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "Italian Prime Minister and BoF Honour 30 Leading Menswear Retailers". The Business of Fashion. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "2017 Honorary Chair | CAFA". cafawards.ca. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "Rami Atallah". www.woolmarkprize.com. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "Rami Atallah is One of the 500 People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry in 2017". The Business of Fashion. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "Ssense Unvails New Montreal FLagship Store". Highsnobiety. 30 April 2018.
- "Arca! Prada! Inside Ssense's Radically Cool New Montreal Store". Vogue. 30 April 2018.
- "Polyvore is shutting down after being acquired by fashion retailer Ssense". 5 April 2018.
- SSENSE Valued at Over $5 Billion CAD After Sequoia Capital Investment Hypebeast, Jack Stanley, June 8, 2021
- https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2023/02/08/ssense-mis-ko-par-des-pirates
- https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/retail/ssense-job-cuts/