Japanese Investment Firm Acquires Vietnamese Fashion Brand

Feb 2019

Elise Fashion Limited, one of Vietnam’s top fashion brands for women and its affiliate brands were acquired by Advantage partners, a Japanese investment firm and its affiliate companies (AP Funds). This marks the first acquisition of a company in Vietnam by AP Funds. Elise is a leading Vietnamese fashion brand targeting the 20-45 year old segment founded in 2011.  The company currently operates 95 stores across Vietnam. It offers integrated operations from design and Manufacturing to sales at its retail locations.

According to a press release, AP Funds were attracted to Elise because of the company’s high quality product line, dedication to ethical Manufacturing and its leading position in the branded women’s fashion market. Advantage Partners aims to promote the company’s growth by utilizing its women’s fashion expertise. Before this, eyewear company Meganesuper and outdoor wear chain ISG ishii-sports were among the Japanese firms’ investments.

At a conference last year, Uniqlo reportedly acquired a 35% stake in Elise for an undisclosed sum, but the deal has not been confirmed.

Advantage partners seems to follow other Japanese firms looking at Vietnamese fashion companies after Stripe International took over NEM Group’s apparel business assets in 2017.

(Source: Vietnam News; Advantage Partners)

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