Robert Talbott is back in the retail business.
The venerable menswear brand, founded by Robert and Audrey Talbott 75 years ago, has returned to the spot on Madison Avenue where it had operated a store until 2018.
The two-level, 1,800-square-foot boutique at 501 Madison Avenue is the first Robert Talbott store to open since Newtimes Group, a privately owned Hong Kong-based supply chain management firm, purchased the trademark and domain name for the company in 2021.
“There’s nothing quite like connecting with our clients face to face, it’s where the Robert Talbott story truly comes alive,” said Alex Angelchik, president of Robert Talbott. “After 75 years of crafting American luxury menswear, this Madison Avenue store gives us the opportunity to personally share our brand with every customer who walks through our doors. I’m excited to see how this immersive approach will deepen the relationships we’ve built over decades and introduce new clients to the Robert Talbott legacy in an entirely new way.”
The label was created 75 years ago by Robert and Audrey Talbott, who left the East Coast with their son Robb in 1950 and moved to Carmel, Calif., where they started a business based on Audrey Talbott’s skill creating handcrafted silk neckwear. The company eventually expanded into shirts, men’s made-to-measure tailored clothing, knitwear, sportswear, leathers and womenswear. Robert Talbott died in 1986 and Audrey ran the business until her death in 2004, when it was passed to Robb. He ultimately sold the business to Relevant Brands Holdings, which then made the deal with Newtimes.
The Robert Talbott store is located at 501 Madison Avenue.
Courtesy of Robert Talbott
After acquiring the business, Angelchik spent the next two years researching the brand’s history and lining up a team to relaunch the brand. That includes former Eton designer Sebastian Dollinger, who serves as creative director; former Jack Victor creative director James Watson, who heads brand development, as well as Nick Picchione, formerly of Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Giorgio Armani, who serves as senior vice president of merchandising and design.
Although Talbott is best known for its ties and shirts, both of which are given prominence in the new store, it also features a wide assortment of lifestyle products — everything from jeans and chinos to sweaters and smoking jackets.
The launch assortment also features pieces from the brand’s Made in America collection of blazers and Oxford shirts.
The brand offers a range of price points with neckwear averaging $195, jeans at $245, and shirts for around $285. The brand is also introducing a tee for $75.
Ties continue to be a mainstay of the Robert Talbott business.
Courtesy of Robert Talbott
“Rooted in American luxury, the [fall ‘25] collection is both characterful and refined — balancing heritage tailoring with modern ease,” said Dollinger. “Inspired by California’s spirit of effortless layering, each piece is designed to move seamlessly through the season. It redefines how the modern man dresses today.”
Aesthetically, the store presents a bright, modern look and will serve as a place to showcase the world of Robert Talbott, both now and in the past.
Case in point, the staircase to the upper level is filled with photos of the founders and other heritage-inspired images. The second floor will offer custom shirts and other products such as made-to-order suede jackets. The brand will also introduce a collection of Made in America tailored product as well as denim later this year.
“We want to see the consumer reaction,” Dollinger said.
The store features a wall of photographs showcasing the brand’s history.
Courtesy of Robert Talbott
The store had a soft opening earlier this week and Angelchik said sales have been strong. Ties, which are showcased to the left of the entrance, have been the top sellers. “Ties are still a key part of the business,” Picchione said.
As of now there are no plans to add more stores to the Robert Talbott stable, they said. But that could change down the road.
The bulk of the company’s relaunch efforts has been centered around men’s specialty stores, with a couple of majors such as Nordstrom also carrying the line. Outside the U.S., the brand does well at Harry Rosen in Canada as well as NK in Stockholm, where it has become the number-one shirt brand.
But having its own store allows Robert Talbott to show the depth of the collection. “We want to share what the whole collection looks like,” Angelchik said. “And it will help us with our wholesale business too.”
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