Carnaby Street favourite Ariella buys back name and plans global push
FASHION brand Ariella is planning a global push after winning back the rights to use its name in key markets abroad.
Ariella, an iconic name in Sixties Carnaby Street, was co-founded by Achilleas Constantinou and his brother Aristos in 1966. Its ranges have been worn by celebrities including Amanda Holden and Myleene Klass.
The rights to the Ariella name in 29 countries as far afield as Japan, Australia, Canada, Russia and Germany had been owned by German swimwear maker Universal Textiles, which went into liquidation two years ago. Last month Ariella regained the rights to use the name in those countries, agreeing a six figure deal with the new owner, Betti Holdings of Slovenia.
The group has been selling as Aristos in all those markets and is now preparing to re-label its fashion ranges.
‘Now we are ready for a big expansion,’ said Constantinou. ‘We have increased staff from 12 to 29 in the past two years and are exporting more to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Norway and Canada.’
The Ariella label manufactures and designs for department stores and retailers in Britain and Europe, among them John Lewis, River Island and Debenhams.
The company has also launched a new label, Ariella Couture, which is being headed by Lana Marie Constantine, Constantinou’s 28-year-old daughter. She had signed as a singer with pop star Beyonce Knowles’ father Mathew, but has turned her back on music to join the family business. Lana launched the Ariella Couture range and opened its first concession, at Harvey Nichols in Dublin, in April. ‘We will be moving to London stores next,’ she said.