Isabel Marant Expands Into Greater China Expansion

Highly coveted Paris-based fashion brand Isabel Marant and Asia's leading retail, brand management and distribution company ImagineX Group announced the establishment of an exclusive strategic partnership to position the Isabel Marant brands for growth across Greater China. Together they will develop Isabel Marant brand as well as its second line, Isabel Marant Étoile, to reach a dozen of points of sale over the next five years.

The first free-standing Isabel Marant boutique will be launched by the ImagineX Isabel Marant team in Hong Kong at On Lan Street in July 2015. Rollout plans include high profile stores opening in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Macau.

Isabel Marant started designing jewelry and knitwear in 1990 and established her eponymous collection of ready-to-wear four years later. Today her brands are worn by some of the world's most fashionable women and the popularity for her maverick but chic aesthetic creations infused with a kind of effortless style continues to grow. Her designs are located in 18 Isabel Marant boutiques and more than 800 luxury multi-brand retailers worldwide.

Isabel Marant Chief Executive Sophie Duruflé says, "Isabel has always remained true to her design DNA with each of her collections and has never compromised on her vision. Our partnership with ImagineX is in line with this spirit and we have great confidence in their management of the brand, the collections and our growth in Greater China."

Since 1992 ImagineX has built a portfolio of 21 international luxury and contemporary fashion, beauty and lifestyle businesses with an entrepreneurial approach and the passion and flair of a brand owner. The ImagineX Group brand portfolio speaks to the luxury and designer consumer while also appealing to the booming aspirational middle class market.

ImagineX Executive Director Alice Wong says, "The addition of Isabel Marant to our brand portfolio is not only a coup, but it is also strategic for our continued appeal to both luxury and contemporary consumers. Her eponymous brand, Isabel Marant caters for our luxury clientele and for those consumers seeking value, her diffusion line, Isabel Marant Étoile is ideal. This fresh and effortless urban style is very appealing for the Chinese consumer who is looking for an inspirational look worn by many style icons such as Kate Moss or Gisele Bündchen. We just see the brand having enormous potential in this market due to its heritage of carefully constructed design and eclectic essence of Isabel herself," she added.

ABOUT ISABEL MARANT:
Isabel Marant established her brand in 1994 and opened her first store in Paris in 1998. From then, the French designer's rise has been gradual and steady and the company managed as a family affair. Isabel Marant has built a 100 percent self-financed business that has seen consistent annual growth rates of 20 to 30 percent over the last 20 years. Known for her laid-back aesthetic, sprinkled with rock girl references, tactile fabrics and a Parisian's approach to silhouette, the designer has created a unique wardrobe, irresistible to women in Paris, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

ABOUT IMAGINEX GROUP:
Founded in 1992, ImagineX Group is Greater China and South East Asia's premier retail, brand management and distribution company. With unrivalled market coverage it builds luxury, designer and premium contemporary fashion, beauty and lifestyle businesses with an entrepreneurial approach and the passion of a brand owner. Fashion partnerships exist with brands for Salvatore Ferragamo, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Paul & Shark, ISAIA, Paul Smith, PS Paul Smith, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc by Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Club Monaco, Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, Scotch & Soda and BCBGMAXAZRIA. The Group also offers lifestyle brands such as Tumi, T-tech by Tumi and beauty brands including Aveda, Jo Malone London, Natura Bisse and Apivita.

ImagineX Group is proud to form part of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Asia's premier fashion and brand management conglomerate. Learn more: www.imaginex.com.hk