Versace is not for sale

During a press conference for the presentation of the menswear fashion show, Donatella Versace began by totally denying rumors that the fashion house is up for sale.

'Versace is not for sale' she declared. 'Before talking about the clothes, I would like to deny all the reports about us and I am very happy to be able to announce that consolidated sales at end 2003 considerably exceeded our best forecasts.'

In Italy, Rome was the driving force behind the result, with sales at the boutiques for women increasing by 94%, and by 18% at the menswear stores; they were followed by Venice (+38%), Padua (+39%) and Verona (+34%). Overall, Versace scored +10% in Italy during the last quarter, but the Us (particularly the boutiques in Beverly Hills and Miami) also contributed to the positive result.

'There has been a 30% increase in sales in the Far East, with Hong Kong contributing the lion's share because it is so highly tourist-oriented' Donatella continued.. "The recovery in European markets, where sell-out in London and Brussels grew by 10%, is also to be underlined. The most interesting thing is that it wasn't only ready-to-wear that contributed to the achievement of these results, but Accessories and the Home Collection, too'.

(Source: Modaonline)