ITOCHU Corporation has acquired exclusive import and sales rights for the women's brand "ELIZABETH AND JAMES," created by twin sisters Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, former actresses, in the Japanese market. Sales will begin in the Spring/Summer 2014 season through its subsidiary, Coronet, which also imports and sells brands such as "LANVIN," "NINA RICCI," and "Lucien Pellat-Finet." Targeting fashion-conscious women in their 20s to 40s, the brand will be available primarily at department stores and specialty stores nationwide. The company aims to achieve retail sales of 1 billion yen within three years. The main price ranges are coats in the ¥60,000 to ¥120,000 range, jackets in the ¥50,000 to ¥100,000 range, tops in the ¥20,000 to ¥60,000 range, dresses in the ¥30,000 to ¥80,000 range, bottoms in the ¥30,000 to ¥60,000 range, and handbags in the ¥60,000 to ¥100,000 range. Founded in 2007 and based in New York, Elizabeth & James is sold in over 30 countries worldwide. Offering a full line of trend-conscious clothing, leather goods, eyewear, footwear, and accessories, the brand is popular with Hollywood celebrities. Currently, the brand is primarily sold in high-end department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, as well as select shops and specialty stores like Opening Ceremony. Born in 1986, the Olsen sisters rose to fame in 1987 when they double-cast the role of the youngest daughter, Michelle, on the hit TV show "Full House." In 2009, shortly after founding Elizabeth & James, they were elected members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CoFA) and last year won the "2012 Women'swear Designer of the Year" award at the FA's Fashion Awards, which honors the fashion industry's most accomplished designers. The company also handles the luxury brand "THE ROW" and the J.C. Penney exclusive brand "Olsenboye."

From the 2013-14 AW season, ITOCHU Corporation will be importing THE ROW, and Coronet will be selling it.