NEW YORK, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Designer Charlotte Ronson has joined forces with MH Concepts for her first foray into the Chinese market. 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.
The alliance launches this September with stores in Shanghai (IFC and Xintiandi), followed by openings in Hong Kong (Harbour City) in October, two more Shanghai locations next spring, and 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 China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Ronson's new endeavor is expected to gross USD5M-10M in its first year.
Charlotte Ronson opens the doors to her first store in the prestigious IFC Mall in Shanghai on September 27, followed by an official launch party and runway presentation of her Fall 2010 collection at The House of Roosevelt on the Bund. The Shanghai store opening will unveil the new Charlotte Ronson Boutique format, designed by Workshop for Architecture and New York designer John Lee.
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.
