Dubai: Italian billionaire businessman Flavio Briatore has ambitious plans to expand his chain of high-end fashion stores in the region.
"I believe Dubai is a really international city. It's an ace among places and everybody loves Dubai right from the Europeans to everybody else from the different corners of the earth," Briatore told Gulf News after opening his Billionaire store in the Dubai Mall on Thursday in the presence of Mohidin Bin Hendi, President of Bin Hendi Enterprises.
From creating original evening wear ensembles to personalised bathrobes, the Italian couture boutique has been serving a sartorially inclined clientele since its establishment in 2005.
"Dubai is such a vibrant place. It is excellent for everything. So having a Billionaire store here was fundamental," Briatore said.
Briatore is better known in the world of sport for his involvement with motor sports and his hold over the Ing Renault Formula One team until he was banned indefinitely by world governing body for motor sports the FIA for his involvement in race fixing during the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008.
And now with the opening of his first store in Dubai, the Italian businessman, who turned 60 last month, is eyeing other avenues including Abu Dhabi and Beirut.
"We have plans to open a club here [in Dubai], and one more club in Beirut. And this will be the second step of our presence here in the region," he said.
"And another absolute must is to open another Billionaire shop in Abu Dhabi in the future," he added.
Briatore is thrilled to be working in the region with a strong partner like Bin Hendi.
"It is a great opportunity to be working with a company that has served the local market for over 30 years and has built a solid reputation throughout the region. With Bin Hendi as our local partner, I am sure that the launch will be a great success," Briatore said.
With an excellent customer service such as made-to-measure garments, Billionaire provides its clients with an entire world of couture throughout its outlets in the US, Europe and Russia. Dubai is the first location of a Billionaire outlet in the Middle East.
"Billionaire already has a dedicated following among clientele who favour tailored elegance with a touch of whimsy, and I believe Billionaire is sure to be another successful ambassador of Bin Hendi's exclusive fashion design," said Bin Hendi.
