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Balmain Paris today (January 10) announced that its first store in Hong Kong opened last week. The Paris-based luxury label previously sold its goods through multi-brand stores in Hong Kong but its management took the decision to set up an outlet on the back of the city's booming luxury retail market.
Balmain is one of the most emblematic Parisian couture houses. Its new store is located in Harbour City in the heart of the Tsim Sha Tsui tourist area.
Chairman of the Balmain Group, Mr Alain Hivelin, said, "Over the last six years, Balmain's creations have been enthusiastically received by Hong Kong customers through our vendors Joyce, Swank and Lane Crawford.
"Due to the importance of Hong Kong in luxury distribution, I am delighted and very excited to extend our presence in this key market through the opening of our first Hong Kong Balmain mono-brand store."
Mr Hivelin added that Hong Kong's gateway position to and unique relationship with the Mainland prompted Balmain Paris to set up in the city. This unrivalled location, he said, will help Balmain map out and implement its Asian marketing and distribution strategies effectively, expanding its presence in the Mainland and other countries in the region.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Andrew Davis, welcomed Balmain Paris' arrival in Hong Kong and said, "Hong Kong's retail sector has been buoyant on the rising arrival of high-spending tourists from around the world, which creates opportunities for established brand names like Balmain Paris to come and build their presence in the region through Hong Kong."
About Balmain Paris
The quintessentially Parisian house of Balmain has been overseen by a series of great designers since Pierre Balmain first founded the historic house in 1945. In recent years, Balmain Paris has become one of the world's most influential fashion brands, celebrated for its sophisticated mix of Parisian chic and glamour aesthetic. In 2011, Olivier Rousteing was appointed designer of Balmain's men's and women's collections. The house is present in all major markets and carried in prestigious department stores and multi-brand boutiques all over the world. For more information, please visit www.balmain.com.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As it celebrates its 11th year of operation, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2 400 investment projects creating more than 28 000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$60 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157628805489167/.
Ends/Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:17
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