11 June, 2007 Dubai, A ribbon cutting ceremony led by Mr Geoffroy Ebrard, International Sales Director of Lancel Paris, Mr Robert Jongeryck, French Consul General and Mr Xavier Bouin, Managing Director of Euroluxe LLC, was held at the French luxury atelier's new boutique at Wafi on Wednesday June 6th, to celebrate the opening of the second Lancel Paris store in the UAE.

Founded in 1876, Lancel Paris is famous for its high quality product range of elegant handbags, timeless luggage, a variety of women's leather accessories including cosmetics bags and organizers, as well as catering for me with a range of accessories including wallets, briefcases, portfolios and desk accessories.

Mr Ebrard and Mr Bouin were also joined by Mr Abdulla I. Binhussain, Director of Local Affairs and Marketing, MKM Group of Companies (owner of Wafi City) and French Consul General Mr Robert Jongeryck, as well other senior officials from Wafi and Lancel Paris to officially open the elegant boutique.

The Lancel Paris store is located in the new extension at Wafi, showing the continued effort by the distinguished shopping mall to provide its customers with the best luxury brands. Lancel Paris recently opened its first boutique in the UAE at Dubai Festival City.

"We are confident the synergy between Lancel Paris and Wafi will be a great success and are delighted to provide our customers with an esteemed location in the UAE to enjoy the luxurious products from our prestigious brand," says Xavier Bouin, Managing Director of Euroluxe LLC.

"We are keen to open the most luxurious, well known brands here at Wafi to satisfy our customer's needs and desires," explained Mike Davidson, Property Director, Wafi Group.

Today, after 131 years of success, Lancel Paris represents "French Légèreté" all over the world. Its iconic drawstring bag "French Flirt" has become a favourite worldwide and the prestigious leather goods company has many more surprises to come.

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About Lancel Paris
Paris 1876: It was during these early years of the Belle Époque that Alphonse and Angèle Lancel opened a small pipe-making factory at 20, Passage des Petites Écuries.

1926: After specializing in articles for smokers, Lancel turned its attention to accessories for ladies as well as decorative objects. These new creations included the first handbags, made from tapir, sealskin and suede. At a time when the couture houses had yet to see the possibilities beyond simply "dresses", Lancel was already imagining the accessories that would transform fashion.

1929: Lancel epitomised the Parisians' newfound taste for shopping, with a dozen or so stores now open in the capital and other French cities. The inter-war years were a time of innovation for the brand, which branched out into tableware, travel items and any number of imaginative and original gifts. Lancel came to the rescue with its "Aviona" trunk. This was the year that Lancel moved to new premises at Place de l'Opéra in the heart of Paris. This new location would become a flagship store for the brand that so perfectly captured Parisian chic.

1970's: The brand expanded into international markets. In France, the parent company moved to the world's most beautiful avenue, the Champs-Elysées. It focused on leather goods, and in 1984 the drawstring bag was born. Ingenious and original, it was inspired by the buckets the first firemen used to carry. Over three million have been sold. All over the world it is recognised as a symbol of Parisian elegance and imagination. It is also Lancel's emblematic bag.

130 years later... and Lancel continues to celebrate the same carefree spirit, the same French légèreté of sheer elegance with a hint of frivolity. Lancel proudly asserts its history with two new creations that combine a modern style with authentic craftsmanship. Through the two "faces" of the brand, Laure Manaudou and Alice Taglioni, Lancel pays tribute to women with carefree interpretations of its classic designs. Each Lancel creation tells the story of the spirit that brought it to life: that of Paris, fashion and joie de vivre.

For further Information please contact:  
Emma Scanlan - d'Events                                                                 
Tel: +9714 331 1104  
Mob: +971 50 9450 389 
Fax: +9714 331 6612         
Email: emma@devents.ae

© Press Release 2007