Origins

Collectif can be traced back to the vibrant energy of London's iconic Camden Market and its alternative street vibe of the 90’s. The original inspiration came from the glamorous Las Vegas 50’s aesthetic and exciting rockabilly scene. The inaugural capsule collection emerged in 2000, and successfully blended vintage charm with the bold spirit of rock & roll. 

The Journey

With its origins deeply rooted in the vibrant, alternative worlds of rockabilly and rock and roll, Collectif’s core philosophy consistently revolved around bringing joy, instilling a sense of confidence, and encouraging self-expression. Over time, the design team evolved and matured, resulting in the creation of collections spanning from vintage reproduction to dark wear, and expanding into 60s and 70s shapes and styles.

End of an Era

Sadly, with the decline in consumer confidence, spiralling costs and significantly impacted production margins Collectif.online.uk.Ltd entered administration in the Spring of 2024 and ceased trading on 22nd July 2024. This marked the end of an era for its staff and its stores after almost 25 years of stewardship by its original founder.  

If you have been affected by the closure of Collectif.uk.Ltd please contact Tom Ahmad or Kirren Keegan of Bailey Ahmad Business Recovery who were appointed Joint Administrators of the Company on 9 July 2024. The affairs, business and property of the company are managed by the Joint Administrators, who act as agents of the Company and contract without personal liability. https://babr.co.uk/

New Beginnings

In August 2024 we were approached by the administrators and asked if we would be interested in purchasing the design assets and trade name. We are a Turkish based company called Abaci, with a UK office, and had been working closely with the Collectif team over the last 18 months as manufacturers following the closure of their factory in China, helping to develop new ranges and uplift the quality.  

We, like many others had been left with a significant debt but due to our close working relationship with the team we truly believed in the hard work and the unique empowered culture that was at the heart of Collectif.   

The Future

We are working hard to bring the Collectif brand back to life and create a future for everyone involved. Our focus lies in creating original, unique designs that resonate with Collectif’s cherished, long standing customers, and also excite new vintage inspired enthusiasts. 

We're dedicated to empowering the team and have been able to rehire many of the original key employees, who are focussed on shaping a brand that exudes confidence and empowerment in every stitch and pattern. 

We will be opening new stores in the very near future, serving as vibrant gathering spots for our community to explore new silhouettes and prints, and enjoy events filled with music and culture!

Ultimately, our mission is to bring joy to our customers by delivering exciting designs, nurturing a lively and inclusive community, while fostering a happy and successful team and culture.