September 21, 2020 – Bluebell Group and Translatio are pleased to announce their partnership today, forming Asia’s most comprehensive omnichannel distribution network for the luxury sector, across fashion and lifestyle product categories.

Together, Translatio and Bluebell Group offer a comprehensive and diversified product category portfolio, with a strong local expertise for brands looking to enter or expand their presence in every major Asian market. Bluebell Group covers a multitude of product categories including accessories, footwear, apparel, fragrance, beauty, gourmet, jewellery, watches, eyewear and tobacco; and Translatio has been focused on fashion, accessories and footwear. The partnership will widen the breadth of expertise in certain product categories, as well as broaden the local footprint and knowledge for each party in China and across Asia.

Sharing similar family values, entrepreneurial cultures and business models, this partnership is mutually beneficial to both companies and has been achieved via the acquisition of a minority stake in Translatio’s business by Bluebell Group.

Bluebell Group’s President and CEO, Ashley Micklewright, expressed his delight in entering the partnership with China’s ‘expert store developer’, Translatio, ranked in BOF’s Top 20 Movers and Shakers for Fashion in China: “From the moment we met there was a connection. We share similar philosophies on how to work with business partners; we share the same approach on how to curate brands for the Asian market; and we both have a desire to share our enduring passion for all things luxurious and beautiful with an increasingly the sophisticated Asian consumer.”

Jimin Lee and Angelo Negro, founders of Translatio, add: “We, at Translatio, have always focused on cultivating and practicing our know-how, in both the business and the art of fashion, lifestyle, retail and brand-building; and in doing so, we have been able to successfully transmit the essence of the brand, the designer, and our passion for the business to the Chinese customer.”

“Through the rewarding experiences gained from partnering with an international portfolio of best-in-class brands, with whom we have built successful and enduring businesses and relationships, we understand the intrinsic value of synergistic collaborations. Today’s partnership with Bluebell – with our shared strengths and experience in China and the Asian
region – is a new step towards forming new ventures and pathways for both companies.”

About Bluebell Group
Bluebell Group has pioneered building successful brands in Asia since 1954. As Asia’s partner of choice, Bluebell Group is present in Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Macau SAR, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The Group’s distribution network includes flagship stores, shop-in-shops, counters, its own multi-brand concepts, as well as a highly selective wholesale network, together with both direct e-commerce and marketplaces, covering both domestic and Travel Retail.

The Group operates across multiple product categories: Accessories, Footwear, Apparel, Fragrance, Beauty, Gourmet, Jewellery, Watches, Eyewear and Tobacco.

A family-owned group, Bluebell Group today has over 3,800 employees, 650 points-of-sale, US$2b in turnover.
www.bluebellgroup.com

About TRANSLATIO
Translatio is a fashion and lifestyle retail partner and consultancy specializing in retail management, store network development, and specialty fashion retail concept creations.

Translatio has been operating in mainland China since 2003, with its headquarters located in Shanghai, China’s fashion capital.

The founding partners, Angelo Negro and Jimin Lee, each bring over thirtyyears of international industry experience from Asia, Europe, and the USA. Since its inception, Translatio has launched and partnered with over 18 international brands, opened retail channels totaling 288 stores to date, covering 30 cities in China.

PRESS CONTACTS
Bluebell Group
Esterina Nervino
enervino@bluebellgroup.com

TRANSLATIO
Rekky Liu
rekkyliu@translatiochina.com

Photo- Ashley Micklewright, President and CEO, Bluebell Group

Photo- Angelo Negro and Jimin Lee, Founders, Translatio