Lifestyle fashion brand EKKO is set to open its first U.S. retail location at the Destin Commons, located at 4100 Legendary Drive, on Friday, June 6 at 11:30 a.m. The brand will simultaneously launch their online shopping platform www.ekko.style.
Founded in 2013 on the tropical island of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, EKKO is a sustainable and ethically driven lifestyle fashion brand for men and women. EKKO caters to individuals who embody confidence and seek class and comfort. In 2015, EKKO was awarded the Best Brand of the Industry at the inaugural Mercedes Benz Fashion and Apparel Awards ceremony in Sri Lanka.
EKKO was founded by Lalantha Watudura, whose exposure to the fashion industry began in childhood through his mother’s Batik and Handloom business. Starting his career in the global fashion apparel industry in 1990, he went on to create ELH: Trusted Global Apparel Sourcing Partner in 2001, servicing multiple well established overseas and U.S. clothing brands. His passion for excellence and responsible fashion led to the creation of ELH’s own clothing brand EKKO.
“We believe our consistency in quality, workmanship, and close attention to detail are the key ingredients in our philosophy,” Watudura said. “Empowering innovation, design, and ethical sourcing with complete traceability is our way of creating products that provide the ultimate value and customer satisfaction.”
Throughout his career, Watudura and his family have lived in various countries, including Kenya, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and the U.S. They continue to conduct business in each of these locations in addition to factories located in India, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. Across all their teams and locations, the company has 175 employees. Compared to other international factories, Watudura has dedicated himself to creating a cheerful work environment for all his employees and taking care of their needs. Many of the factory employees come from underprivileged communities, so they are provided free breakfast and transportation throughout the week, offered on-site medical assistance if needed, and are paid a higher salary than the market rate. They also abide by a Monday-Friday work week as opposed to the standard Monday-Saturday schedule as the company believes it’s important to provide factory workers with a longer break and time to spend with their family.
“We’re committed to uplifting the livelihoods of all our employees, all the way to the factory level of sewing machine operators and laborers,” Watudura said. “More than just the clothing, our designs are pathways—ethically made to support, train, and empower individuals from under-resourced communities, turning every piece into a story of positive impact.”
EKKO’s product catalogue is consistently refined based on expertise and research, and all collections are carefully curated to embody a lifestyle fashion wardrobe. The brand offers men’s and women’s apparel including casual and formal tops, dresses, shorts, pants, cardigans, jumpsuits, rompers, denim, and t-shirts. EKKO also features accessories including 100% natural raffia handbags made in Madagascar and linen blend patchwork totes crafted from upcycling leftover fabric pieces. The new Destin location will additionally showcase a limited line of exclusive homeware items, also made from 100% natural raffia in Madagascar.
Watudura knew he wanted to bring EKKO to the U.S. market but needed a location that would make sense for the brand and its philosophy. Destin was chosen for the area’s tropical-like weather throughout the year which correlates to the brand’s lightweight and breathable fabric choices. Although Destin has a small local community, the area is also one of the most heavily trafficked tourist destinations in the southeast drawing in visitors from across the country to its elevated coastal lifestyle. Each of these factors made the Destin Commons, the premier open-air shopping center on the Emerald Coast, the ideal location for the brand to break into the U.S. market.
“We’re thrilled to welcome EKKO to Destin Commons,” said David Sweetman, associate general manager of the Destin Commons. “Their commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and global style aligns perfectly with our vision of offering unique, world-class brands to our visitors.”
EKKO will celebrate the grand opening of their newest retail location with a ribbon cutting ceremony, partnered with the Destin Chamber of Commerce and the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6. Guests will then be welcomed into the freshly designed 3,000 square-foot store for refreshments, light bites, giveaways, and more. The first 100 guests will also receive a special gift.
In addition to the new storefront in Destin, EKKO will also be launching an online store where customers across the U.S. can shop and purchase their various products and have them shipped right to their doorstep. Visit www.ekko.style to shop and learn more about the brand.