Lately, international
retailers like John
Hardy, Celine and COS have opened stores in Houston or announced plans to
do so. But now the tables are being turned.
Two popular and successful
Houston-area businesses are going global.
Define Body & Mind is
expanding overseas with a new studio located in Dubai. It is the first studio
outside of the country for the fitness chain and the 12th studio overall, with
more studios planned to open in Lubbock and Katy this month and Denver in the
fall.
Define founder Henry
Richardson, Erin O’Leary Stewart, Mohammed and Subhi Khudairi, and Thomas and
Betsey Favrot are the owners of the new Dubai studio, located in the Silverene Tower
Dubai Marina, across from Pier 7 and the Dubai Marina Mall. The studio, which
opened earlier this month, offers a wide variety of barre, cycling and yoga
infused classes, as well as workout apparel.
Houston-based Charming Charlie also has a rapidly growing global presence. The women’s
contemporary jewelry and accessory retailer recently opened its first location
in Oman at the Muscat Grand Mall. The 2,900-square-foot store is operated
by Apparel Group, Charming Charlie’s international licensing partner, which has
further growth planned for the brand in the Middle East this year.
The Oman debut comes on
the heels of the opening of a Charming Charlie store in the Philippines at Bonifacio High
Street Central Square in Manila, with plans to open other stores in Manila
and in Cebu in a partnership with SSI Group.
The Oman and
Phillipines locations offer a full range of products, including fashion
jewelry, handbags, apparel, small leather goods, scarves, watches, sunglasses,
and a special occasion collection. They both showcase the brand’s newest retail
concept with signature double doors in pink or red lacquer and a residential-style
interior that mixes feminine, Mid-century accents with luxe materials and
whimsical details.
Launched in 2004 by
Charlie Chanaratsopon, the brand now opens as many as 55 stores in the United
States each year. It recently opened a 3,500-square-foot store in South Beach,
Florida, with plans for another Miami location at The Falls next month (making
it the 29th Charming Charlie location in the Sunshine State). Its other
international locations include two stores in Dubai that opened last
year.
The stores are known for
for carrying a wide array of accessible fashion accessories merchandised by
color, with prices ranging from $5 to $150 for some limited collection items.
