French fashion brand Isabel Marant and Hong Kong-based distributor ImagineX Group said on Thursday that they have established an exclusive strategic partnership to expand the Isabel Marant brands in 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 in Hong Kong at On Lan Street in July 2015. They plan to open more stores in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Macau.
Isabel Marant started designing jewellery 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.
ImagineX, a member of Lane Crawford Joyce Group, is one of the largest luxury brand operators in Asia. Since 1992 ImagineX has built a portfolio of 21 international luxury and contemporary fashion, beauty and lifestyle businesses.
"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," said Alice Wong, ImagineX Executive Director.
Wong expects that Isabel Marant’s urban style will be appealing for the Chinese consumer who is looking for an inspirational look worn by many style icons such as Kate Moss or Gisele Bündchen and believes the brand will have great potential in the Chinese market.