Spade-Work in Asia

kate spade LLC (New York) will open its first freestanding kate spade boutique in Hong Kong in November, part of an Asia-wide expansion program that will take it into Korea and Taiwan in 2003 and the Peoples Republic of China and Singapore in 2004.

Additionally, it will distribute its line of bags and accessories in the Philippines through an exclusive distribution agreement with Store Specialist Inc., part of the Rustan Group of companies, and will open the first freestanding kate spade boutique in the Philippines in October 2002, with an additional three boutiques and vendor shops in Manila over the next three years.

The company already has four freestanding kate spade boutiques and 15 vendor shops within Japan through a distribution agreement with Sanei International Co.

“We rely upon experienced regional partners to help ensure the success of our expansion into new countries,” said kate spade president and coo Robin Marino.

Marino said kate spade has elected to expand throughout Asia “because the region offers one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world. Additionally, many mainstream Asian consumers are favorably predisposed to Western culture.”

Kate Spade was an accessories editor for Mademoiselle magazine when she and husband Andy Spade founded the handbag company in 1993 with six simple styles. With two partners, Pamela Bell and Elyce Arons, the Spades expanded their products into an international fashion brand.