Zilli to open in Washington, D.C

Zilli, the luxury French men’s wear brand that opened its first U.S. flagship in Manhattan in 2009, is set to open its second U.S. store this week in the Washington, D.C., area.

Zilli general manager Laurent Schimel said the label opted to take a 1,615-square-foot space in Tysons Galleria in McLean, Va., to appeal to the powerful men who call that area home. He added that Tysons Galleria is one of the most profitable malls in the country and draws many congressmen.
The Washington-area shop incorporates dark mahogany wood, leather and brass elements. “Our clientele is looking for privacy and great service when they shop,” Schimel said.
Targeting “men of power” between the ages of 30 and 60, Zilli has been posting double-digit growth in spite of a dour economic climate, according to Schimel.
Founded in 1970, the Lyon-based brand is known for its signature leather jackets that come in calfskin and lambskin suede and are priced at about $12,000. Dress shirts retail for $600 and shoes from $800 to $6,000 depending upon skins, which include crocodile.
Stateside, the label has a flagship in the Four Seasons hotel on New York’s 57th Street, and the line is also sold in two specialty stores in the U.S. Down the road, Schimel would like to have stores in Bal Harbour, Fla., California and Las Vegas, he said.
There are 45 freestanding Zilli units worldwide, in Asia, Russia, the Middle East, Europe and the U.S. Schimel said there are four new stores in the pipeline for 2013, including two in China.
He is projecting 2012 sales to increase 15 percent to 85 million euros, or $112 million at current exchange, and to rise to 100 million euros, or $131.9 million, in fiscal 2013.