Versace To Head Back To Japan

In 2009, Versace pulled out of Japan during a time that saw several other luxury brands changing their luxury plans in the region. The fashion company had stores in Osaka, Tokyo and Chiba. Versace shut down its boutiques but at the time left hints that it might come back; a statement said that the company had decided to "close them and start with a clean slate." Now Versace is ready to give Japan another go. WWD reports that Hiroshi Saito, who was president of Jil Sander Japan will be the chief executive officer of Versace Japan. The Versace, Versace Collection and Versace Jeans lines will show up in department stores in Tokyo and Osaka starting with the fall 2011 season. So far there has been no mention of new boutiques but a lot depends on the Japanese economy and whether or not the Japanese luxury consumer is ready to embrace Versace style again.

There have been some indications that luxury is back in Japan. Sales of Rolls-Royce cars are up and Tiffany recently announced that sales in Japan rose 11 percent.