ARMA FEATURED IN WWD
Founded in 1985 by Aram Aykaz, along with three business partners in Amsterdam, the company is now helmed by his daughter Maral Aykaz, who oversees all creative, and son Arden Aykaz, who leads production and operations. Now serving as co-CEOs, the siblings are thoughtfully charting the brand’s next chapter of growth. And they’re off to a good start.
As of fall 2026, the collection is sold at Mytheresa and Nordstrom, in addition to Net-a-porter, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges and Le Bon Marché, which doubled its order this year. Net-a-porter also significantly increased its investment for fall 2026, building off an outstanding first season the year prior.
ARMA FEATURED IN WWD
Founded in 1985 by Aram Aykaz, along with three business partners in Amsterdam, the company is now helmed by his daughter Maral Aykaz, who oversees all creative, and son Arden Aykaz, who leads production and operations. Now serving as co-CEOs, the siblings are thoughtfully charting the brand’s next chapter of growth. And they’re off to a good start.
As of fall 2026, the collection is sold at Mytheresa and Nordstrom, in addition to Net-a-porter, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges and Le Bon Marché, which doubled its order this year. Net-a-porter also significantly increased its investment for fall 2026, building off an outstanding first season the year prior.
While department stores and online retailers provide visibility to a broader customer base, success with specialty stores is a critical component of Arma’s strategy. The channel accounts for 85 of the 100 doors that carry the brand in the U.S., making product assortment and relationships with buyers pivotal. Arma received higher-than-average order values from U.S. specialty stores, driven by strong sell-throughs, in-season reorders and quick replenishment that was made possible through their own factory.
To support its growing wholesale business, Arma will begin shipping from a U.S. warehouse in October. The U.S. is now the brand’s fastest-growing market, while the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) remains its largest. Momentum is also building elsewhere. In Milan, for example, leading multibrand boutique Antonia sold out its initial inventory of Arma within weeks of introducing the label.
While department stores and online retailers provide visibility to a broader customer base, success with specialty stores is a critical component of Arma’s strategy. The channel accounts for 85 of the 100 doors that carry the brand in the U.S., making product assortment and relationships with buyers pivotal. Arma received higher-than-average order values from U.S. specialty stores, driven by strong sell-throughs, in-season reorders and quick replenishment that was made possible through their own factory.
To support its growing wholesale business, Arma will begin shipping from a U.S. warehouse in October. The U.S. is now the brand’s fastest-growing market, while the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) remains its largest. Momentum is also building elsewhere. In Milan, for example, leading multibrand boutique Antonia sold out its initial inventory of Arma within weeks of introducing the label.
A key facilitator of that growth has been Parrot, Arma’s international sales agency. According to Arden Aykaz, the relationship helped accelerate the brand’s expansion. “Once we started working with our international agent, it just went so fast, and I think it’s because the product was working so well and we had a good foundation already. We had our factory and good product.”
Some of their bestsellers are the leather and suede outerwear, especially the brand’s different iterations of the bomber silhouette. The range is expanding further with shearling coats, separates like leather skirts and pants offered in leather and suede. There is also menswear, which was the main business when the brand first launched. Women’s is now center stage.
Interview by Kathy Lee
A key facilitator of that growth has been Parrot, Arma’s international sales agency. According to Arden Aykaz, the relationship helped accelerate the brand’s expansion. “Once we started working with our international agent, it just went so fast, and I think it’s because the product was working so well and we had a good foundation already. We had our factory and good product.”
Some of their bestsellers are the leather and suede outerwear, especially the brand’s different iterations of the bomber silhouette. The range is expanding further with shearling coats, separates like leather skirts and pants offered in leather and suede. There is also menswear, which was the main business when the brand first launched. Women’s is now center stage.
Interview by Kathy Lee