Beauty Italian brand opens accessories store in Manila
MARCO MARCHI, Italian businessman and founder of Italian fashion label Liu Jo, was in the Philippines recently to explore expansion plans in the country. A Liu Jo accessories boutique opened recently at the second level of The Podium, while a Liu Jo store will be launched in Glorietta before the year ends.
His visit was prompted by the success of the brand among fashion-loving Filipinas, who have made room in their closets for Liu Jo pieces since the opening of its first boutique store in Ayala Center Cebu in 2010.
According to Marchi, there is an immense growth opportunity for Italian brands in the country, which he considers a viable market in Asia.
Liu Jo was founded by the Marchi brothers, Marco and Vannis, in 1995. Today, it has an extensive distribution network with over 190 monobrand points of sales and almost 4,500 multibrand stores, ensuring the presence of the brand in 35 countries in three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia).
It has over 130 stores in Italy, including monobrand stores and corners, and 3,000 multibrand stores and independent specialty stores selling the various collections. Distribution abroad is managed through over 125 monobrand and corner stores and approximately 1,500 multibrand stores in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
“The year 2011 was extremely positive for Liu Jo, and we remain bullish in 2012,” says Marchi. “Our goal is to keep growing.”
Liu Jo embodies the spirit of a refined, modern and dynamic woman. Its collections showcase the different facets of feminine emotions interpreted through “a selection of the best materials and a painstaking and scrupulous care for details.”
Supermodel and Liu Jo muse Kate Moss captures the brand’s spirit and personality—sexy, feminine, intriguing and sophisticated. In addition to her timeless beauty, charisma and natural presence on the catwalk, Moss is described as “an opinion leader and undisputed style icon” whose image is in tune with Liu Jo’s style.
“And we are really proud to have her as the face of our campaigns. Having such an icon as Kate gives us extraordinary visibility: we are playing in the front row.”