Best Buy teams up with Cole Haan on smartphone cases for men

Best Buy can now add Cole Haan as a notch on its belt.

After rolling out new tech accessories with a feminine flair in partnerships with well-known designers last year, the nation's largest electronics retailer is now giving men some eye candy, too.

It is rolling out a line of exclusive Cole Haan leather smartphone cases that will hit stores and be available online starting May 31, timed for Father's Day shopping.

"Men care about how they look and what they wear, too," said Carly Charlson, a spokeswoman for the Richfield-based retailer. "The black protective cases are great for some folks, but there are a lot of men for whom the way they dress up their phone is more and more important."

The Cole Haan smartphone cases, which will fit some Apple and Samsung phones, will come in colors such as tan, gray, and black and will also have camouflage, woven and crocodile prints. They will range from $59.99 to $69.99.

Last year, Best Buy acknowledged it was late to the game in offering more fashionable styles when it comes to tech accessories. So it sought to remedy that by introducing its first "designer partnerships" with Kate Spade New York, Anna Sui, Nanette Lepore and Isaac Mizrahi New York. Last month, it also launched a collaboration with Cynthia Vincent. Those offerings, which included floral, striped and polka-dotted designs, all came in under $50.

The Cole Haan line will also be available in some of its namesake boutiques.

The upscale brand, which is most well known for its shoes and accessories, worked with Best Buy on the upcoming line in selecting materials, styles and colors.

And it doesn't appear it will be the last such venture. "We're always open to new partnerships," Charlson said. "Our intention is to continuously bring new designs and keep them fresh."

Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113