LF's Raum evolves into brand incubating platform for emerging designers

LF's premium multi-brand boutique Raum announced Monday that it is evolving into a "brand incubating platform" dedicated to growing emerging labels.

From the initial buying stage, Raum reviews domestic customer response and builds product lineups and branding strategies tailored to each brand's characteristics. It also raises brand awareness and shapes the customer experience through influencer seeding, pop-up events, VIP programs and content exposure.

Raum has so far discovered contemporary brands from France, Japan, Denmark, the United States and other countries, selecting them based on their philosophy, design quality and growth potential.

Its flagship store, Raum West, has posted growth for three consecutive years. Sales in the first half of 2026 rose about 53 percent from the same period in 2024, while purchases by new customers climbed 50 percent year on year. New customers aged 29 and under grew 120 percent over the same period. The store has also maintained a repurchase rate of 60 to 70 percent over the past three years.

Danish jewelry brand LIE STUDIO saw its peak monthly sales jump 202 percent compared with its launch month after a pop-up store last year. Japanese designer brand AKIRANAKA recorded sales in the first week of its recent pop-up at roughly 20 times the prior weekly average.

French contemporary brand LOULOU DE SAISON posted a peak monthly sales increase of 317 percent over its launch month. Japanese designer brand MAME KUROGOUCHI and American premium denim brand DL1961 are also on an upward trajectory. Major new brands have recorded sell-through rates of 70 percent or higher from their launch season.

The number of new brands Raum has discovered grew roughly fourfold — from 10 in the fall/winter 2025 season to 38 for the spring/summer 2027 season. The number of newly exclusive brands expanded from two to 10 over the same period.

"As taste-driven consumption grows, so does customer demand for differentiated brands," an LF official said. "Raum is not simply introducing global emerging brands to the Korean market — it is a platform that designs everything from initial buying to marketing and customer experience, supporting brands as they establish themselves and grow in Korea."