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Hong Kong's leading position as an international centre for luxury fashion brands has been further strengthened. Louis Vuitton, one of the world's top fashion brands, has selected Hong Kong as one of the four cities worldwide to host its 150th anniversary celebration.

The company said today (April 16) the decision was made based on the important leadership of Hong Kong in the global fashion and retail industry, as well as the company's firm commitment to Hong Kong. Hong Kong will be joining Paris, New York and Tokyo as host cities.

The Director-General for Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, congratulated Louis Vuitton on its 150th anniversary.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Louis Vuitton and LVMH Fashion Group, Mr Yves Carcelle said, "Hong Kong is our Asia Pacific headquarters for 14 countries in the region. Its strategic location, its importance as a fashion capital in this part of the world, coupled with its efficient communications make it the perfect city for us do business."

A member of the LVMH Fashion Group, Louis Vuitton has more flagship stores in Hong Kong than anywhere else, apart from its Paris headquarters and in Tokyo. The Louis Vuitton brand has been present in Hong Kong since 1979.

As a highlight of the celebration, 2,000 guests from Hong Kong and around the world have been invited to attend a party at the Tamar Site today. The guests include 85 journalists from the Asia Pacific region and Japan. In order to house 2,000 guests at the party, the company has arranged to build a large tent with materials and talents specially flown into Hong Kong.

According to Mr Carcelle, the company is proud to showcase its brand values to its sophisticated customers through the strategic platform in Hong Kong. He explained that the celebration represents a vote of confidence in the Hong Kong market, illustrated by its long-term and significant investment here.

Mr Patrick Vuitton, the fifth generation of the founding family; the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Louis Vuitton and LVMH Fashion Group, Mr Yves Carcelle; and the Managing Director of Louis Vuitton Malletier, Mr Serge Brunschwig, are visiting Hong Kong to join the celebration.

Mr Rowse welcomed the economic benefits brought by the long-term investment from international retailers like Louis Vuitton to Hong Kong, and he wished the company great success in the future.

Mr Rowse also said that he is delighted to see a top fashion brand appreciates the advantages of using Hong Kong as a platform to develop its business in the Asia Pacific region. He said, "Louis Vuitton's investment reinforces our reputation as an ideal platform to develop retail business in the region. We look forward to seeing other retailers following Louis Vuitton's footsteps in choosing Hong Kong to showcase their brands in Asia."

The roots of Louis Vuitton in Hong Kong date back to 1979 when the French Malletier opened its doors at the illustrious Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon. Since then, Hong Kong's demanding and sophisticated tastes for modernity and tradition have seen the company expand its presence in Hong Kong to six stores, including three New-Concept Stores. In March 2000, this expansion culminated with the opening of the largest Louis Vuitton store at 5 Canton Road. Today the Landmark, Pacific Place and 5 Canton Road carry the complete range of Louis Vuitton products.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating foreign investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here.

Ends/Friday, April 16, 2004

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