French luxe brand Cifonelli to open store in Mumbai

French luxury menswear brand, which dressed iconic actors like Cary Grant, Charlton Heston and Lino Ventura, is planning India foray. The 137-year-old bespoke brand Cifonelli, in partnership with a Mumbai-based luxury retailer Vault Luxury, is looking to open a lounge store in Mumbai by 2018. Also on the agenda are trunk shows in Delhi and Mumbai.

Erwan Camphuis, CEO, Cifonelli says the brand was launched in 1880, and Cifonelli has outlets in only four countries. However, it organizes trunk shows, across the globe. The company also holds fashion shows at the Paris and Milan fashion weeks every year. In India its looking to customers knowledgeable about the product.

The company plans to expand its operations in India, depending on the success of its outlet in Mumbai. The main objective is continuing offering a superb personalized service and an exquisite treatment. The company estimates that India can grow up to a 10 per cent contribution to our global sales.

Globally the brand is looking at expansion in London and Singapore in 2018. Cifonelli launched its first ready-to-wear collection (designed by clothing designer and Cifonelli’s creative director John Vizzone) in 2014. As per KPMG data, men’s formal apparel market in India was estimated at Rs 445 billion in 2015, expected to grow at a CAGR of 10 per cent between 2015 and 2025, However, growth in formal apparel is expected to be relatively slow, compared with casual (which is poised to grow at 20 per cent CAGR over the same period). Increasing disposable income, brand consciousness and internet penetration are further expected to fuel growth in the overall apparel sector.