Derby entrepreneurs win competition to open second fashion store in city selling rare and vintage finds

Two friends with a passion for sustainable fashion have opened their second store in the city.

Local fashion-forward retailer, 1NE., is now open at Derbion, after winning the centre’s independent retail initiative, Hatch.

Managing directors of 1NE., Alex Mcleod and Daniel Bennett, hope that the new store at Derbion will help inspire locals to build a sustainable and desirable wardrobe.

1NE. officially opened its doors on Monday September 18, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy an all-new shopping experience and discover hundreds of hard-to-find and rare items across footwear, clothing and accessories.

Located on Level 2, next to Ernest Jones and Castle Fine Art, the Derbion location is the second store in the city for 1NE., after the local sustainable clothing brand was unveiled as the winner of the centre’s Hatch competition.

1NE. was established by friends Dan Bennett and Alex Mcleod in 2020, after the pair seized the opportunity to sell trainers and retro clothing in a small space above a hairdressers.

They quickly outgrew the premises within six months and upsized to their Sadler Gate location.

The new Derbion store offers visitors the chance to shop and discover a wide collection of authentic, pre-loved and deadstock pieces.

This includes collectables and accessories alongside personalised soft furnishings including rugs.

The local brand’s new space also offers an in-store trainer cleaning service that encourages customers to give their existing collection another lease of life.

Dan and Alex said: “We’re incredibly excited to open our doors to our new store at Derbion after winning the centre’s Hatch initiative.

“We’re both Derby boys, so to have the opportunity to open our second store in our home city is such a special feeling.

“We’re hugely ambitious and passionate about our brand, customers and fashion, and we’re really looking forward to this next chapter of 1NE.!”

What is Hatch Derbion competition?

This is an initiatve that offers budding business owners the chance to set up their own retail space within Derbion with rent, service charges and business rates covered for the first six weeks.

Speaking about the benefits of Hatch, Beth McDonald, managing director of Derbion said: “For four years, our renowned Hatch initiative has provided local, independent businesses with the opportunity to take the next step and open a physical store in a shopping centre.

“We’re proud that our Hatch competition has once again offered a much-loved local brand the chance to expand their business, and we’re so pleased to welcome 1NE. to Derbion.”

For more information on Derbion, visit the Derbion website and for further details about 1NE., visit their website here.