D&G opens first self-owned store in Hong Kong

Famous Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana has opened its first self-owned flagship store in Hong Kong.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana say that from a business point of view, the Hong Kong boutique is the first step towards greater expansion in Asia for the brand, which has more than doubled its sales in the past few years.

They said that after taking over the operations in Japan in 2001, Dolce & Gabbana was now expanding its potential in high-performing areas such as the Asia-Pacific region and Russia.

The acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mark Michelson, said D&G's decision to establish a presence in Asia, through Hong Kong, reinforced the city's reputation as Asia's leading luxury shopping destination and international style capital.

"The company's investment in Hong Kong illustrates the growing appeal to international brand retailers of using our city as their platform for developing brand recognition in this region -- and especially for penetrating the vast Mainland market," he said.

"With the retail market booming and projections for increased tourist arrivals in the near and medium term, we would expect more and more retailers to follow the leading brands in choosing Hong Kong to showcase their products in Asia."

The new D&G shop covers 650 square metres on two floors in Alexandra House.

The company is also the unique shareholder of Dolce & Gabbana Industria, which manufactures clothing and accessories through two modern production units: one in Legnano, north of Milan, for ready-to-wear items; the other in Tuscany, for leather goods.

End/Saturday, June 12, 2004