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Colette by Colette Hayman was a Brookvale, New South Wales-based fashion accessories retailer that designed and sold handbags, jewelry, and related consumer goods through direct-to-consumer physical storefronts and a dedicated e-commerce platform. At its operational peak, the enterprise managed an extensive retail footprint of 138 stores across Australia and New Zealand, generating annual sales exceeding $140 million. Following a corporate restructuring initiative in September 2020, the organization reduced its physical presence to 35 locations while operating under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer John Skellern and major shareholder Bernie Brookes. The brand's parent entity, Marquee Retail Group, subsequently entered voluntary administration proceedings in April 2024, leading the retail subsidiary to permanently cease all commercial operations in May 2025. The retail company was originally founded in 2010 by Australian entrepreneurs Mark Hayman and Colette Hayman.
Colette has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
Colette has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Colette has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Colette's investors include #SecretFund, Social Impact Capital, XAnge, Andrew Robb, Michael Benabou, Roxanne Varza, Thibaud Elziere.
Colette has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Seed in October 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2022 | $3M Seed | — | #secretfund, Social Impact Capital, XAnge, Andrew Robb, Michael Benabou, Roxanne Varza, Thibaud Elziere | Announced |
Colette refers to multiple entities, but no single prominent technology company named Colette matches the query's description as a core tech builder. The closest is a Paris-based startup (Colette) founded in 2019 that facilitates intergenerational cohabitation in housing, connecting students/young professionals with seniors renting spare rooms via a platform that also combats loneliness for hosts[2]. It has raised $4.1M in seed funding (last round $2.93M ~3 years ago), operates at seed VC-II stage, and competes in coliving/real estate tech with peers like Kuvu and Cohabs[2]. This solves affordability and social isolation in housing but shows weak momentum (Mosaic Score -139 recently)[2].
Another entity, Colette Strategic Solutions, provides business transformation services (HR, leadership, training) to companies including tech firms, but it is a consultancy, not a technology company itself[1]. A former Parisian fashion concept store "colette" briefly hosted tech-fashion collaborations but closed years ago[5].
The housing platform Colette was founded in 2019 in Paris, France (3 rue Fénelon, +33 7 55 53 58 20), emerging amid rising housing costs and senior loneliness trends[2]. Founders are not named in available data; early traction includes $4.1M raised, targeting mid-term rentals with social features[2]. It differentiates via intergenerational matching over general coliving competitors like Colive (Stockholm, 2018) or Cohabs (Brussels, 2016)[2].
Colette Strategic Solutions lacks specified founding details but evolved as a service provider for business transformation, aiding tech restructurings and startups post-Series A[1]. The fashion store colette (Paris) originated as a retail space blending style and tech events but is defunct[5].
For the housing tech startup Colette:
For Colette Strategic Solutions (consulting):
| Entity | Key Differentiator | Stage/Size | Competitors/Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Colette [2] | Intergenerational matching + anti-loneliness platform | Seed VC-II, $4.1M raised, Paris | Kuvu, Cohabs, Colive |
| Strategic Solutions [1] | Business transformation consulting | Undisclosed, all-in-one services | General consultancies |
| Fashion colette [5] | Tech-fashion events (historical) | Closed | N/A |
The housing Colette rides proptech and silver economy trends, addressing urban housing shortages and aging populations in Europe (e.g., Paris' high rents)[2]. Timing aligns with post-2019 coliving boom amid remote work/youth mobility, but market saturation by peers limits influence[2]. It influences niche ecosystem by promoting inclusive living models, potentially scaling via EU proptech investments.
Colette Strategic Solutions supports tech ecosystem indirectly, enabling portfolio companies' growth (e.g., Series A fintechs, restructuring tech firms) through operational scaling[1]. This aids broader startup health amid 2020s transformation demands. The fashion colette exemplified early 2010s fashion-tech convergence but has no ongoing role[5].
For the housing Colette, expect cautious expansion if funding rebounds, shaped by EU housing policies and AI matching tech; weak Mosaic Score signals risks from competition[2]. Strategic Solutions could grow via tech downturns needing restructuring[1]. Overall, without a dominant "Colette technology company," investors eye proptech niches—clarify if targeting the housing platform for intergenerational housing bets.
