Lebanon-based Pragma Group has signed a deal with Italian group Roberto Cavalli to open five new Cavalli Clubs and 15 new Cavalli Cafes in the next five years across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and South America.

Launched in early 70’s, Roberto Cavalli Group is one of the most renowned “Made in Italy” brands. The group showcases its women’s and men collection “Roberto Cavalli” and the contemporary “Just Cavalli” collection during Milano Fashion Week.

Roberto Cavalli already operates two Cavalli Clubs in Firenze and Dubai – the latter established under a licence agreement with Pragma Group – in addition to a Just Cavalli Club in Milan and three Cavalli Giacosa Cafés in Florence.

The cities in the launch list include Beirut, Istanbul, Mumbai, Shanghai and San Paolo, said a statement from Pragma Group.

The first two-year phase of investment will see two Cavalli Clubs opening in two cities alongside another three cafés, introducing the Cavalli Club and Café concepts to five new cities overall.

In the second phase, which is expected to last three years, an additional 10 outlets will be launched in similarly suitable cities.

This initial roll-out of the Cavalli brand will be financed through a fund dedicated to expanding Pragma Group’s lifestyle business.

“I am extremely proud of the achievements of the clubs and cafes which carry my name and Cavalli Club Dubai represents probably the best interpretation of the lifestyle I have been creating with my fashion” said Roberto Cavalli, the group founder and chairman.

“Together with the experience of the Pragma Group we will further expand the network of Clubs for entertaining my followers in some of the most important cities in the world,” he added.

“This is an extremely exciting time for the Pragma Group, as we have been selected as the partner to develop the Cavalli lifestyle clubs and cafés internationally” said Joe Tabet, chairman of Pragma Group.

“We are making a substantial investment to facilitate this expansion and this is being conducted on the back of extensive research that has revealed a real hunger in the emerging markets for the branded lifestyle experience”.

Successfully opened little more than a year ago, Cavalli Club in the UAE will be used as a template for international developments.

While the entire venture will be conducted through Pragma Group’s lifestyle vertical, Pragma Lifestyle will take all opportunities for partnerships and franchising in key emerging markets.

Along with an aggressive retail operation, the group also runs a vast network of multi-brand stores. Cavalli also operates Club and Cafè in Italy and Middle East. In 2010, the group celebrated its 40 year anniversary.-TradeArabia News Service