Exclusive | Chinese designer Masha Ma gets $ 40 million investment
The Chinese designer founded her namesake women's label in 2008 with $ 40 million in funding from four investment institutions, including Vertex Asia Fund in Singapore and SU&Partners in Korea.
SHANGHAI, China - Chinese women's designer Masha Ma received an exclusive interview with BoF today declaring that its namesake brand has successfully secured $ 40 million in financing from four investment institutions, including Vertex Asia Fund in Singapore and SU&Partners in South Korea. Although details of the transaction and valuation are not disclosed, Masha Ma will integrate its brand resources to further commercialize its futuristic and three-dimensional tailor-made, standalone design brand.
"It's a time to accept investment, and the definition of an independent designer, especially in a big environment, is moving forward as the industry changes," Masha Ma told BoF. "Before I needed both personal and commercial design and business, I also realized that the biggest challenge of the brand, that is why we have financing: With the support of capital and human resources, the brand can build a better industry chain and realize the product Of the aesthetic upgrade.Capital can provide resources is actually more desirable to each designer, I also realize that the introduction of capital to guide our brand development. "Masha Shanghai and Paris, the plan to use this round of financing for Integrate and optimize production chains on a larger scale, promote product upgrades and explore new product categories, and enhance its multi-brand physical retail and e-commerce experience.
"Investors have made it clear that this strategic investment is designed to help Masha realize her 'Fashion Dream' as a fashion designer," said Jimmy Chan, who has just been named CEO of the brand. "This investment will mainly be used financially and managerially to achieve the development of its existing product line, including its Parisian series, the collaborative series LOFi, and other product lines. The other part of the investment will be used to develop sports series, children's wear series Etc. "Chan believes that many investors pouring into China value this relatively undeveloped and highly flexible Chinese market, the innovative spirit of Chinese designer brands and the possibility of breakthroughs in product operations. "The brand's current goal is to compete better in the international arena, so it's even more important to reshape the brand fundamentals," Chen added.
Masha, a rare Chinese-born designer with a strong business sense, worked as a design assistant for Veronique Branquinho and Alexander McQueen while studying for bachelor's and master's degrees in women's design at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. One of the few Chinese designers to enter the official Paris Fashion Week schedule. After Masha Ma of the same name was founded in 2008, Masha founded MA by MA Studios in 2013. Today, the brand has more than 45 sales outlets in Europe and China and has established direct sales and franchised store channels.
Masha is also a brand that is good at running a brand and starting an early attempt to fashion, entertain, and fashion in a way that fits the tone of the brand. She has been with the Shang Wenjie celebrity to participate in the East TV reality show "Goddess's new clothes," Masha Ma to mask the face short hair and flaming lips styling appears very easily to impress. In addition, Lady Gaga once met Masha Ma in the United States to meet with former U.S. President Barack Obama. Her designs also frequently appear on domestic and foreign stars such as Gao Yuanyuan and Lu Han.
Chen explained to BoF that the brand is expected to be profitable in two to five years after it gradually reclaims the stores operated by the agencies and further resources integration. It is reported that MashaMa International is expected by 2020 sales of 110 million US dollars, profits and taxes depreciation and amortization before the profit (EBITDA) reached 17 million US dollars. "Mashama International is already an international brand with many good brands, full financial capabilities and a great network in the industry, so we are optimistic about the potential of the brand," said Chester Kim, CFO of Masha Ma.
After introducing capital and management talent, Masha is also more able to optimize design and products. "I do not think there's a problem with a good design that balances with business - business is inherently designed and designers need to provide a good solution," Masha said.
"It's hard to say an independent designer brand or a niche in the context of today's fashion because good products are somewhat more public, in fact, the right ones," Masha said. In essence, the so-called "independent design" is not a high price, but design independence, and investors gave me absolute respect and independence, which is truly guarantee the originality of the brand.
