MILAN, Jul 3, 2009 / FW/ — Currently one of the most important luxury markets, the Middle East is one of Gherardini’s target markets next to Italy and Japan. And with a franchise agreement with the Saudi group Kazamoda, the Florentine label will open three free-standing boutiques in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, in that order.
In Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, the first Gherardini flagship store in the Middle East is expected to open very soon.
The 120-square-meter boutique is located at the prestigious Centria Mall which is strategically situated at the intersection of the two principal luxury shopping avenues in Riyadh, the Olaya Street and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Road, more commonly known as Tahliya Street.
And even before the new boutique opens its doors to the public, plans are already underway to establish outposts in Jeddah and Dubai, laying the foundation for rapid growth in the Middle East.
Established in 1885, Gherardini was acquired by Braccialini in 2007 with plans to re-launch and re-position the brand. Besides the mono-brand boutiques that Gherardini already enjoys in Florence, Milan and Rome, and the ones that will soon be opened in the Middle East, the company is represented at a worldwide level in over 300 selected multi-brand points of sale.
A fundamental and decisive element in the re-launch of Gherardini is the ‘Fashion Repository’ project that explores the recovery of some of the company’s most significant and historic designs like the mythic “Bellona” and “Dodicidodici”.
With plans to re-design the “Bellona” and “Dodicidodici” for today’s generation, Gherardini will also be sharing with fashionistas its almost 130-year history.
