Menlook

Menlook was an online retail platform specializing in men's fashion, launched on August 30, 2010, by the Meninvest group, which was founded by French serial entrepreneur Marc Menasé. Menasé, an HEC Paris graduate with a background that includes co-founding the digital marketing agency Nextedia, identified a gap in the e-commerce market for a dedicated men's fashion destination. His prior experience at Kelkoo, a price comparison site, and his entrepreneurial ventures shaped his approach to building a targeted online retail experience.

The business operated as a multi-brand e-commerce marketplace, curating a selection of mid- to high-end casual-chic brands such as Acne, Kitsuné, and Paul & Joe. Its primary revenue stream was direct-to-consumer sales of apparel, footwear, and accessories. The platform targeted a male clientele with significant purchasing power, aiming to serve men under 40 who were increasingly interested in fashion. By 2016, Menlook had grown into a European leader in its niche, boasting 3.7 million unique monthly visitors, 800,000 active customers, and shipping to over 125 countries. The company also developed its own private label collection, featuring wardrobe staples like sweaters, shirts, and leather goods, to complement its branded offerings.

A key part of Menlook's strategy involved aggressive expansion through acquisitions. The company acquired the UK-based streetwear and designer site Oki-ni in 2013 and its German counterpart, Frontlineshop, in 2015. This growth was fueled by significant venture capital, including a €23 million funding round in 2014 from investors like Idinvest Partners and the founders of Celio. However, the company faced operational challenges in integrating these acquisitions within an increasingly competitive market. In March 2017, the parent company, Meninvest, was placed in receivership, and after failing to find a buyer, the business was ultimately forced into liquidation in April 2017, ceasing all operations. The founder, Marc Menasé, has referred to the experience as a significant learning opportunity despite the financial loss.

Keywords: Menlook, Marc Menasé, men's fashion e-commerce, online retail, Meninvest, menswear marketplace, French tech, Oki-ni acquisition, Frontlineshop acquisition, European fashion retail, venture capital, online marketplace, designer apparel, men's accessories, fashion startup, e-commerce liquidation, Nextedia, Founders Future, Celio