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Club Monaco

Club Monaco is an upscale clothing retailer with more than 69 stores in North America. It is owned by Polo Ralph Lauren. The retailer has locations in Canada, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, South Korea, China, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Club Monaco also plans to open stores in the United Kingdom and Manila.

Club Monaco alternates between less formal styles during the northern spring and summer and more formal offerings during autumn and winter. The company is best known for its classic "black & white" styles. From the onset of the label, this black & white has been Club Monaco's foundation from which hints of color are injected. Club Monaco's tailoring takes its cues from Europe.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Company history

In 1985, Canadian Joe Mimran and Alfred Sung opened the first store in Toronto on Queen St. West. This store, which exists today, was the first location of the brand. It originally included a cafe below the sales floor. The first US store opened in Santa Monica in 1989. Until 1999 Club Monaco was a Canadian company and was based at Bloor St. West and Avenue Rd. in Toronto. It is now owned and operated by Polo Ralph Lauren, which acquired Club Monaco in 1999. Polo has allowed Club Monaco to exist as an independent entity within the group and has downplayed its ownership of the brand. Luxottica began distributing Club Monaco glasses frames in its retail outlets in 2008. The brand is currently exploring various expansion opportunities, including international growth in the United Kingdom.

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