Kapten & Son has announced its arrival at John Lewis, marking a significant step in the brand’s UK expansion. Known for minimalist design, premium craftsmanship, and a commitment to sustainability, the Cologne-founded lifestyle label is bringing its range of eyewear, bags, and travel accessories to British customers both in-store and online for the first time.
Michael Rawson, Senior Country Manager UK at Kapten & Son, said the partnership with John Lewis aligns closely with the brand’s ambitions. “Launching with John Lewis is an important step in making Kapten & Son part of everyday life in the UK,” he explained. “It gives people a trusted place to discover our products in person, while also building on the awareness we’ve been driving online and through social media.”
Rawson described the UK as a pivotal market for Kapten & Son’s global growth, citing the country’s appetite for both style and practicality. “The UK is such a trend-setting market. People here care about style but also practicality, which is exactly what we stand for,” he said. “That’s why combining online, John Lewis, and our new Covent Garden store makes the UK such an exciting place for us to grow.”
The choice of John Lewis reflects the retailer’s reputation for quality and trust, values Rawson said resonate with Kapten & Son’s own philosophy. “John Lewis has such a strong reputation for quality — if it’s there, you know it’s been chosen carefully. That’s very much in line with how we design our products. It’s also a retailer that customers across the country visit regularly, so it helps us reach beyond London and online.”
Sustainability remains central to Kapten & Son’s ethos, with a focus on recycled materials, longevity, and conscious production choices. Rawson noted that UK customers are particularly responsive to this approach: “They want brands to do more than talk about it — they want to see it in action.”
Among the collections set to resonate most strongly are the brand’s versatile backpacks, which have already proved popular online and in-store. “We expect backpacks to be the heroes in the UK,” Rawson said. “They’re versatile, premium, and they fit into modern lifestyles — whether that’s commuting in London, studying in Leeds, or a weekend trip away. Our Bergen Pro and Bali models are already proving popular.”
While the brand maintains a consistent minimalist design language worldwide, Rawson highlighted the importance of tailoring the message locally. “In the UK that means showing how our products fit into daily routines — the commute, a city break, or a countryside escape,” he said.
Balancing its digital-first strategy with physical retail touchpoints is also part of the brand’s UK playbook. “Online gives us reach, but nothing compares to experiencing a product in person. John Lewis is key for that — people can see and feel the quality for themselves. And our Covent Garden flagship takes it even further by offering a full brand experience.”
Looking ahead, Rawson signalled that Kapten & Son will continue building its presence through a mix of collaborations, events, and community initiatives. “John Lewis and our Covent Garden flagship are just the start,” he said. “The goal is to grow in the UK through a mix of digital, retail, and real-world touchpoints that all feel connected.”
With a strong following across Europe and North America, Kapten & Son’s partnership with John Lewis further cements its position as a brand with international appeal and a clear commitment to the UK market.
