REGIONAL NEWS
LANDMARK launch for UK ladies clothing label Lipsy MIDDLE EAST | LANDMARK International has signed a deal with British fashion label Lipsy to launch the clothing brand in the Middle East. The first Lipsy outlets will launch in Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Lebanon early this year. Landmark International, a subsidary of the Landmark Group, already runs franchise outlets for women’s high street favourites Reiss and New Look, and also retail chains Koton and Aftershock. Launching Lipsy in the region is the latest in the company’s plan to manage and develop a portfolio of international labels. The trendy London born label is popular in the fashion stakes due to its celebrity endorsements, from a galaxy of pop stars, including Pixie Lott, The
Saturdays, Miley Cyrus, and Girls Aloud singer Kimberly Walsh. It is also the go-to label for partywear and cocktail dresses amongst the late teen-to-twenty something market. Jeremy Stakol, CEO at Lipsy, said “This is a key milestone in our international expansion and underscores the international appeal of our brand. We are delighted to be working with the team at Landmark and look forward to introducing Lipsy to their customers.”
First LK Bennet UAE franchisee debuts in Dubai UAE | A RETAIL favourite of the future Queen
Since it was founded by Linda Bennett in London
of England, the first LK Bennett boutique to open
in 1990 the label has attracted a host of high profile
in the Middle East brings with it a piece of London’s
fans, with the Duchess of Cambridge being the latest
Brompton Road to Mirdif City Centre Mall.
to draw attention to the clothing and accessories
And when the high end fashion store officially opened its doors in late November, management were
range. Bensoussan added: ‘It is true that the duchess
extremely positive about the new venture. But the
has helped with our image, as she has been wearing
label’s high profile amongst style conscious Emriati
some of the products we sell extremely well. We’re
ladies meant that the popularity of LK Bennett will
very happy she is a fan, and wish that we’ll have some
not rely solely on the British Royal Family’s fashion
celebrity fans within the region soon.”
choices. Chairman of LK Bennet Robert Bensoussan
Kate Middleton’s much-favoured Maddox raffia platform wedge – as worn by the princess the day after
There are plans afoot to open three to four more stores, and within the next three years there could be six to eight LK Bennett outlets in the Middle East.
explained that the decision to open here was an easy
the royal wedding – are available in-store in coral,
one. He said, “We have a lot of customers in the UK
black, turquoise, and nude. Kate’s much-worn nude
for our first store in the Middle East, as it is a hub.
who are Emirati, so we know that our products appeal
Sledge pumps are also available for Dh 1,045. Already
More stores in Dubai are on the cards and so is Abu
here. We also have a lot of customers buying our bags
sold out across the UK, they are expected to fly off
Dhabi. With our partners (Jashanmal Group), we plan
and the clothing, so we believe that there is a good
the shelves here too. Plans to open more LK Bennett
to open many more – at least three or four more.
client-base, plus we have a fantastic relationship of
stores across the UAE are already in the early stages,
In the whole region, we’ll have between six to eight
price to quality, and that’s what counts.”
with Dubai and Abu Dhabi being the main locations.
stores, hopefully, within the next three years.”
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According to Bensoussan: ‘Dubai seemed natural
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03/02/12 9:52 AM