London Retailer Machine-A Exits Tomorrow with Backing From Private Investors – WWD
Wed 4 Dec
By Tianwei Zhang | Photo Courtesy of MACHINE-A/EAMONN MCCORMACK
Multi-brand store Machine-A, which made its name promoting emerging design talent, has left the Tomorrow portfolio four years after selling a majority stake to the brand distributor and accelerator. Tomorrow has passed the ownership to a group of private investors.
“I hope with my active involvement the brand generates the commercial growth it deserves, building upon what Karelis, the team, and past investors have worked so hard to achieve commercially and artistically.”
Steven Ma, MACHINE-A Director
Steven Ma, a longtime friend and collaborator of Machine-A founder Stavros Karelis, now has become the company’s director. Karelis will continue to play a key role in Machine-A’s daily operations as it remains a hub for emerging talent. Ma, who graduated from Parsons School of Design and has an MBA from Emlyon Business School in France, has been closely involved with Machine-A since 2019.
He worked on key projects such as the launch of the Machine-A brand in China; a Mugler event in Shanghai with K-pop star CL and model Ming Xi; and a recent Reebok collaboration with Kai-Isaiah Jamal and Alibae. He also launched a namesake accessories brand after training in footwear design at Arsutoria School in Milan. Ma, who now splits his time between Shanghai and London, said Machine-A is considered an institution by young creative talents.
Since 2013 emerging designers such as Nasir Mazhar, Paolo Carzana, Olly Shinder, Pronounce, Samuel Guì Yang, Craig Green, Peter Do, Richard Quinn, Paula Canovas del Vas, Kiko Kostadinov, Delada, Martine Rose, Namacheko and Ottolinger have been carried at the store. “I hope with my active involvement the brand generates the commercial growth it deserves, building upon what Karelis, the team, and past investors have worked so hard to achieve commercially and artistically,” he said.