Versace has announced that effective immediately Hiroshi Saito joins the Group’s global management team as he is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Versace Japan, with the aim of re-establishing the brand’s presence in this key market.

Hiroshi Saito

According to Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of Versace SpA, “Japan is a key market for our industry and it wouldn’t make sense for a global brand such as Versace not to be part of it. In 2009, our exit was determined by a presence that was not in line with the brand’s criteria. But our goal was to return soon and to play a protagonist role, with a presence in the best department stores, with appropriate collections, with the right product, and a distinctive and consistent positioning.”

The re-entry of Versace on the Japanese market foresees the presence of the Versace, Versace Collection and Versace Jeans lines in selected luxury department stores in Tokyo and Osaka from the F/W 2011 season.

Hiroshi Saito, 60 years old, has more than 30 years’ experience in the Japanese luxury fashion market, having been employed in top positions in companies such as Zegna, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Donna Karan. Between 2007 and 2010 Saito was President of Jil Sander Japan.