US fashion brand signs deal for Gulf expansion

A US-based fashion company whose customers include Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and actresses Uma Thurman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank, said on Tuesday it has signed a deal to open shops in the Gulf region.Tory Burch announced its partnership with Chalhoub Group, the distributor and retailer of luxury brands in the Middle East. With this agreement, Chalhoub Group holds the exclusive rights to distribute and retail Tory Burch products in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait."Expanding in the Middle East is a significant step for our brand," said CEO and designer Tory Burch in a statement. "We are excited to partner with Chalhoub Group and look forward to building a long-term business together."The first Tory Burch boutique in this region is planned to open in the autumn at The Dubai Mall, the statement added.Several additional Tory Burch boutiques are planned to open in 2012 across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. The full Tory Burch collection will be available, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, small leather goods, eyewear and accessories. "With fashion retail in exponential growth, we are delighted to join hands with Tory Burch for its development in the Middle East," said Patrick Chalhoub, co-CEO of Chalhoub Group. Tory Burch was launched in February 2004 as a lifestyle concept with multiple product categories, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Going against the minimalist trend that was popular at the time, Burch designed her flagship boutique, in downtown New York, to feel more like a room in her own home than a traditional retail store. From / Arabian Business News