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Charlotte Ronson International LLC Opens Hong Kong Store, Takes on China With Wide Ranging Licensing and Distribution Deal

2010-11-17 02:33 4399

HONG KONG, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- New York designer Charlotte Ronson joins forces with MH Concepts to open her first store in Hong Kong's prestigious Harbour City on November 13th. This marks the designer's third store opening in China in the last two months. The first two stores opened in Shanghai (IFC and Xintiandi) on September 27th. The alliance with MHC calls for two more Shanghai locations next spring, as well as stores in Beijing and Guangzhou opening in Summer 2011. MHC's business plan calls for a total of 200 freestanding, mall, and department store shops opening by 2014 throughout Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Ronson's new endeavor is expected to gross USD5M-10M in its first year.

To mark the launch of her latest China location, Ronson will host a media lunch at Aqua on November 13 where she will present looks from her recent Fall/Winter and Holiday 2010 collections, followed by media interviews and refreshments at the opening of the Harbour City store. The launch will come to a close with an official after party at Hong Kong's Tazmania Ballroom.

MH Concepts, a privately owned Hong Kong and Shanghai based company, was founded in 2007 by Meanne Ho. With over 25 years of fashion industry experience, Ho was most recently Vice President of Gap Inc. Asia Pacific, a USD3B+ business, managing multi-national locations covering 20+ countries. Ho identifies Ronson's brand as the "Next Best Thing" for China's fashion scene, seeing the brand aligned with China's flourishing young market.

Unlike the brand's previous internationally licensed deals, Charlotte Ronson maintains complete creative control over product produced by MH Concepts, protecting the brand's trademark.

Privately owned by Charlotte Ronson and Aaron Nir, the brand's current US revenue is USD30M annually. After announcing a Japanese distribution deal with The Wall Co, Ltd. six months ago, this second venture into the Asian market solidifies Charlotte Ronson as a new force in the global market.

About Charlotte Ronson:

In 2000, Charlotte Ronson launched her first collection, C. Ronson, gaining the instant recognition of renowned publications. In 2005, Aaron Nir joined as president, re-naming the brand "Charlotte Ronson." As partners, Ronson and Nir established Charlotte Ronson International in 2009 and have since created a powerful brand with widespread recognition.

The brand's success has lead to design deals with some of America's largest retailers, catapulting Ronson into the spotlight. In 2008, Ronson designed Play by C. Ronson, a diffusion line exclusive to Urban Outfitters. In 2009, Ronson and JCPenney signed a long-term deal launching a full contemporary collection, I [Heart] Ronson, hitting Penney's website, catalogue, and 600 stores.

Source: Charlotte Ronson
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