Castelbajac

Castelbajac is a golfwear brand operated in South Korea by the fashion group Hyungji, which acquired it in 2016. The label carries the name of French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, its original creator, and sells golf and lifestyle apparel.

What is Castelbajac?

Castelbajac is a golfwear brand run by the South Korean fashion group Hyungji. The label was originally created by the French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, and Hyungji acquired it in 2016. Under Korean ownership it has been developed primarily as a golf apparel business for men and women.

Distribution

In South Korea the brand is sold through a network of shops, including branches inside department stores and outlet malls such as Lotte, NC and MODA Outlet, several of which operate as tax refund shops for visitors. Its presence in Jeju and in malls across the country makes it a familiar name in Korean golf retail.

To grow in the United States, the company set up Castelbajac USA in 2021. Its first American store, planned as the US flagship, was announced for Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, in June 2023, with the stated ambition of turning it into a destination for K-fashion. Castelbajac USA also announced plans to supply military clothing through a deal with the US General Services Administration.

Why it matters

Castelbajac illustrates how Korean groups acquire European designer names and rebuild them around a specific, high-growth category, in this case golfwear. Its US expansion is an example of a Korean apparel company exporting a licensed European label back to Western markets.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Castelbajac?

Castelbajac is owned by the South Korean fashion group Hyungji, which acquired the brand in 2016.

What does Castelbajac sell?

Castelbajac is best known as a golfwear brand, selling golf and lifestyle apparel for men and women.

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