...Aqua VI moving into RVCA space

Lian Murray told me last night her growing company is moving into RVCA's space at the first of the year.

She answered some questions for me about the move and how business is going.

Why are you moving?

We are moving into a bigger space because we outgrew the space we are currently in. We are literally bursting at the seams. Because of the growth we had this year we had to hire more people. Plus, we are adding more categories and employees as our business grows. Pat from RVCA has such good style - he has made the building so cool. The design room has metal walls so you use magnets instead of push pins to pin new design and art ideas on the walls. There are also beautiful graffiti paintings on the walls. It is such a creative place with a great vibe. Our brand will be inspired.

How much bigger is the new building compared to your current space?

The building is four times bigger than the space we are in now.

Are you adding staff?

We are not adding staff right now with the economy the way it is. We are all going to have to work harder and smarter.

How is business?

Business is surprisingly good with this economy. We are a small brand which gives us the flexibility to create innovative styles and react quicker to changing trends and needs. This is attractive to retailers right now. It's crucial in these times to design new styles with unique techniques to keep the stores looking fresh. This gives the consumer a reason to buy. After all, it is fashion that makes us feel confident.

Are retailers reducing orders at all?

A few stores have reduced orders but other than that, our sales are up
300 percent.