Fashion brand Roberto Cavalli has big plans for India, Asia

Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli, after having largely ignored Asia and emerging markets so far, now expects Asia and India to be major future drivers of growth, the company's chief executive Gianluca Brozzetti said.

The 40-year-old Roberto Cavalli brand has struck a franchise agreement with Dubai-based Infinite Luxury group for its Indian entry.

While it is a late entrant into the country, it will look to ramp up its presence through flagship stores and Cavalli Cafes, Cavalli, who is in Mumbai, said in several press interactions.

The Florence-based brand, known for its over-the-top style and bold prints, is now looking aggressively at this part of the world with its first few stores opening in Tokyo, Beijing and then in New Delhi.

The family-run group, which ended 2011 with revenues of 180 million euros, plans to increase its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. This will include high growth and emerging markets like India and China.

Italy, Eastern Europe, Middle East and North America are currently the major revenue earners for the group, contributing around 80 per cent of its revenues, while the APAC region is "under-developed ", which the fashion house is attempting to change now.