Significant First Step in Planned Regional Expansion for Brand; Natural Processes Used to Create Finest Leather Goods
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
HIDESIGN, the leading international leather goods retailer, inaugurated its first boutique in the Middle East recently at the newly-opened Souq Madinat Jumeirah shopping mall in Dubai. Distributed via 30 exclusive stores throughout the world, and with shelf space at some of the world's leading department stores, the brand is set to take the Middle East by storm with additional HIDESIGN boutiques planned in lucrative regional markets including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Kuwait.
To commemorate the launch of the region's first HIDESIGN boutique, the world's largest leather bag is on display at the mall from now until the 30th of September. Custom-made by HIDESIGN craftsmen, the bag is 2.77 metres in height, 3.4 metres in length and 1 metre in breadth, about twenty times the size of a sleeping bag. Company officials anticipate an endorsement of their claim by the Guinness Book of World Records before the end of the year.
Conveniently located on the mall's first floor, the 400 square foot boutique at Souq Madinat Jumeirah offers HIDESIGN's latest collections of leather bags and wallets, as well as a range of fine leather garments and professional accessories, all of the highest quality and workmanship. HIDESIGN'S carefully edited offering to the UAE market includes briefcases and small leather goods for discerning corporate decision-makers, as well as leather trousers and outerwear for a trendier clientele. Backpacks, sling bags, travel bags and other convenient luggage items are also available.
Speaking at the launch, Dilip Kapur, President, HIDESIGN, said, "When it comes to finished leather products, few regions in the world can match the potential offered by the Middle East market. The high per capita income, coupled with a brand-conscious lifestyle, ensures ongoing demand and tremendous growth prospects for international brands such as HIDESIGN."
"The choice to open our first Middle East boutique in Dubai was a straightforward one. The UAE is one the wealthiest countries in the Middle East, with a per capita income figure of $23,200 in 2003. Its positive retail culture, showcased at events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, encouraged us to explore this market first," said Kapur.
"Today's opening at Souq Madinat Jumeirah marks the beginning of HIDESIGN's regional strategy. Two more boutiques are set to open within the next six months at premier shopping destinations in the UAE. With this market reach, HIDESIGN will be in a stronger position to successfully conquer the regional market."
Mr. R.V. Rajayer, CEO, HIDESIGN Middle East, elaborated on the company's decision to locate its first boutique at the newly-opened mall. He commented, "Souq Madinat Jumeirah is testimony to the high standards and vision that epitomize the city of Dubai. With its superb architecture and exclusive ambience, we anticipate that HIDESIGN's contemporary yet elegant leather handbags, luggage and clothing will be hugely popular with the mall's discerning clientele."
Each HIDESIGN product goes through a natural vegetable tanning process -- one that is more time-consuming than chrome tanning, but that leaves every product with a rich beautiful patina which gets better with time. Unlike chrome tanning, vegetable tanning has also been proven to have minimal effect on the environment. It is non-toxic and safe for those with sensitive skin.
"Vegetable tanning is a beautiful, safe and economical process. Special care is also taken to avoid the excessive use of pigments, binders and lacquers, which only make leather goods look synthetic. HIDESIGN customers know that when they walk into our store, they're getting a hand-finished, well-crafted product," said Kapur.
The brand goes one step further to keep its leather goods natural, using only solid brass fittings for buckles and buttons, which gives each product that special rugged 'HIDESIGN' look.
"It is the exquisite craftsmanship that goes into our products which sets us apart from other leather goods retailers. Our products are constructed, not just stitched, with constant input from our design teams in Europe and Asia. The attention to detail that we give each and every HIDESIGN product, whether it is a leather jacket or a wallet, is unparalleled," concluded Kapur.
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About HIDESIGN
When Dilip Kapur, the young Indian entrepreneur, began pottering in his workshop designing leather bags and jackets never did he imagine how quickly the business would skyrocket. Today HIDESIGN has grown into an international conglomerate with 1800 employees and over 30 exclusive stores throughout the world in the USA, Russia, India, Malaysia and now in the UAE. There are four exclusive HIDESIGN stores in Russia including one at Megamall where it is the largest leather-goods store in the mall. There is also an exclusive store in Carmel, California, one of the richest communities in the United States.
© Press Release 2004
