Dutch Fashion Brand Finally Invades Texas, With Dallas Getting the Cult Craze First: From Amsterdam With Style (and Humor) — Inside Scotch & Soda’s Push South

A savvy Dutch brand is headed to Dallas, bringing more international fashion power to shopping mecca NorthPark Center. It’s cool — but not what you’d call neat.

Scotch & Soda is set to opens its “cabinet of wonders” on November 16th. Two more new Scotch & Soda stores are also on the way — one in Houston and the other in Austin.

That’s how Scotch & Soda’s North American CEO Ari Hoffman describes the Amsterdam-based couture company — with the cabinet of wonders phrase.

“The Dutch have always been world travelers,” Hoffman tells PaperCity. “In the old days every respectable home had what they called a cabinet of wonders. When someone traveled they would bring different mementos or pieces from different parts of the world and display them in their cabinets.

“That’s kind of what Scotch & Soda is — the wonders of the world. Our design team constantly travels the world.”

It’s all centered on that unique Dutch sensibility that honors the finer things in life — with a sense of humor.

“The Dutch are fun and traveled the world and always enjoyed life with a big smile. It’s almost an ironic take on couture,” Hoffman says.

The Amsterdam couture brand clothes men, women and children in everything from basics to pieces to wow on special occasions. The elevated attire comes in all different forms and fabrics. The clothier also carries a broad range of accessories and fragrances.

The NorthPark location will be the first Scotch & Soda in the Lone Star State, and the 31st overall in America.

Scotch & Soda already has a loyal online following of Texan shoppers. Hoffman hopes the in-person customers in Dallas — and in Houston in spring 2019 and Austin fall to winter 2019 — will revel in the unique in-store experience.

“We try to adapt when we build new stores,” he says. “It’s not necessarily designing specific things for the specific market. More the interpretation of the collection that fits best.”

For the South, that means lighter, brighter and colorful.

There are fashion stylists on hand to help customers select their outfits, and instead of managers there are fashion hosts. “We are there to style the customer, not sell to the customer. We have them dressed in what best fits their style, that’s the mission,” Hoffman says.

“Typically what we like is a little bit of local and a little bit of foreign. We love styling in the taste and the environment and the locale. It’s not the Scotch & Soda world or the Texas world. It’s the marriage of the two worlds.”

NorthPark was Scotch & Soda’s top choice for their first foray into Texas.

“NorthPark continues to set the bar for premium shopping — their portfolio boasts the best brands and we are proud to be part of that roster,” Hoffman says.