Urban lifestyle brand - Kenneth Cole New York - announces entry into Middle East market

The announcement comes ahead of the scheduled official opening of the first, flagship Kenneth Cole store in the New BurJuman early next week.

Kenneth Cole New York is revered as an urban, lifestyle brand with a vast repertoire of apparel and accessories, including shoes, watches and handbags for men and women. Kenneth Cole Productions, the company, is located in New York City and in 2004 just celebrated its 20th anniversary of business.

Kenneth Cole, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kenneth Cole Productions, the holding company for the brand, is a renowned social activist, who has married his sense of fashion with a sensitivity to hot-button social issues. The thought provoking ad campaigns, which have earned the company great recognition, have touched upon several socially relevant topics.

'Since its birth as a shoe company in the back of a trailer in New York, the Kenneth Cole brand has come to be regarded as a universal icon of chic, urban sensibility. I am confident that the launch of Kenneth Cole in the region will fill an existing market void and the apparel, footwear and accessories will appeal to those who want fashion with an attitude,' says Mr. Nilesh Ved, Managing Director, Apparel LLC.

'We are also certain that the brand will find immense appeal amongst the youth with its distinct 'fashion with a cause' concept. Over the years the brand has achieved global recognition as one that offers thought-provoking commentary and raises social consciousness through its clean lines and clear marketing campaigns.'

The first Kenneth Cole store is scheduled to officially open at the New Bur Juman early next week, following which the brand will rapidly expand to other GCC markets. There is an aggressive pan-regional strategy, which will ensure that the Kenneth Cole brand enters key GCC markets within the next two years.

Apart from Kenneth Cole, Apparel LLC is also the regional master franchisee for several other leading fashion, footwear and accessory brands including, Nine West, Basler, Alain Monoukian, Padini Authentic, SEED, Strand Bags, Athletes Foot and Gocoo Kids . The company also operates a network of retail outlets for these brands in key Gulf markets. In addition, the company has similar arrangements for Mango, Nine West, La Senza and Bally in India.

In conclusion, Mr. Ved said: 'We have as part of our business strategy, opted to associate with high-end brands from across the world for the benefit of our wide cross-section of customers. The addition of Kenneth Cole to our repertoire of leading global brands is a clear indication of our leadership in the highly dynamic and vibrant fashion and lifestyle sector.'