Local fashion retail group Melium has brought the brand to our shores (All photos: Elisabetta Franchi)
Bologna is famously known as a city for gourmets. After all, its reputation as the “Belly of Italy” is well deserved, being the birthplace of classic dishes like tagliatelle al ragu (a word of caution: do not ask for spaghetti bolognese while here) and tortellini. But in the fashion world, Bologna is attracting attention primarily due to the emergence of Elisabetta Franchi, a proudly Made-In-Italy label by its eponymous founder, who was born in the city.
Urban legend has it that the young Elisabetta’s love of fashion and the female form was cemented over her precious only doll, named Betty. She would constantly put on different outfits for the toy, all the while nursing dreams of dressing real women one day. In 1995, Franchi opened her first atelier, followed swiftly by its establishment as a full-fledged company, under the name Betty Blue SpA, just three years later. In 2012, the Elisabetta Franchi label was set up and three years later, it made its debut in Milan at one of the global Big Four fashion weeks. This year, the Bolognese brand made the headlines again when former Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri emerged not just as an investor, but also chairman of Elisabetta Franchi, while day-to-day management is headed by CEO Gabriele Maggio, who formerly helmed companies like Stella McCartney and Moschino.
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On the business front, great things are in store, literally. Betty Blue closed the financial year 2023 with a turnover of €170 million (RM821 million) and Elisabetta Franchi now enjoys representation in about 80 countries via 100 monobrand stores. But facts and figures aside, Malaysians can look forward to dressing up con stile now that local fashion retail group Melium has brought it in.
“Elisabetta Franchi is the essence of Italian luxury,” says its president Datuk Seri Farah Khan. “It has indeed seen remarkable growth since its inception, starting out as a small, passionate endeavour and now growing into an internationally recognised name in luxury fashion. This is a testament to its ability to consistently deliver exceptional quality and design, resonating with women worldwide. It presents a season-less brand of elegance and sophistication. The fit is brilliant, making you look modern and feminine. Then, there is the detail, impeccable tailoring and a real understanding of the modern woman’s needs. But what truly sets it apart is that it has made luxury accessible for every occasion.”
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Certainly offering value with top quality is always an appealing factor. Imagine being able to buy a 100% beautifully ruffled Italian georgette blouse with matching foulard for about €500 or perhaps a red carpet-ready draped jersey gown for under €700. “Part of the reason we brought the brand in is how it aligns perfectly with the values of Melium’s own clients. It resonates with ladies who are confident, stylish and independent. The designs are bold yet wearable, and modern but also classic. Whether she’s presiding over the boardroom, attending a social event or enjoying an evening out, the Elisabetta Franchi woman’s lifestyle is a mix of business, culture and pleasure. In short, it is for women who know. And all this gives us a lot of confidence for its success here,” Farah adds.
“Already its founding ethos of elegance and empowerment resonates deeply with our own fashion-conscious clientele. We anticipate strong growth as more discover the versatility, quality, fit and classic yet contemporary appeal of this pure Italian label at our store in Pavilion KL. Our objective now is to make it a household name and stalwart staple in the wardrobes of Malaysia’s most stylish personalities."
This article first appeared on Sept 16, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
