Bags label Kipling has hosted its first-ever event in London, which it said “sets the stage for an exciting new chapter for the brand in the UK”.

The event — at Village Underground in Shoreditch — late last week was staged to support the unveiling of its latest collection, G.rilla Girlz, “while celebrating its most iconic designs”. 

As part of a 360-degree marketing activation, the event brought together influencers, content creators, industry leaders and press for an immersive experience in support of a collection that’s described as “fresh and outgoing… designed for the now. It’s not just about bags, it’s a whole vibe. Iconic styles are reimagined with bold colours and smooth recycled satin, designed for the trendsetters who aren’t afraid to make a statement – unapologetically Kipling”.

It added that the G.rilla Girlz offer “was designed to match a unique vibe for every woman, making these bags the perfect companions for all lifestyles. The Kipling monkey played a starring role, reinforcing the brand’s core values of playfulness, creativity, and self-expression”.

The company said Village Underground “was carefully chosen to reflect the brand’s bold and playful energy, featuring a striking set-up that blended fur, metallic textures, and dynamic lighting, all paying homage to Kipling’s signature monkey mascot”.

Beyond the event, it has launched a two-week out-of-home campaign, featuring fly-postering across key locations in London, Belgium and Spain. 

The highlight was a giant inflatable of Kipling’s signature monkey at King’s Cross Station last week. To celebrate, “Kipling invited fans to join the moment, with a few lucky winners receiving an invitation to the exclusive event”.

There was also a social media takeover to “showcase Kipling’s versatile bags in everyday moments, led by top influencers and creators”. 

Away from the London event, the brand’s key retail partners in other markets, including Inno (Belgium), El Corte Inglés (Spain) and Galleria (Germany), also activated in-store displays featuring furry installations, “bringing the campaign to life in a tactile, engaging way”.