DALLAS, May 16, 2007 / FW/ --- Stella McCartney will soon be available in Asia as the London-based designer signed a long term agreement with Lane Crawford Joyce Group for exclusive distribution rights to the Stella McCartney brand in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to the announcement, the agreement includes the opening of 10 freestanding Stella McCartney stores in the region over the first five years. This is part of the strategic positioning and expanding the brand’s presence in the region.

Commenting on Stella McCartney’s collaboration with the Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Marco Bizzarri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stella McCartney Ltd, said in a statement, “We are absolutely delighted to partner with the Lane Crawford Joyce Group. They are the ideal partner to elevate the brand’s success to the next level in Asia.”

Considered part of the rock & roll royalty, Stella McCartney is a graduate of Central St. Martin’s in London and trained under Christian Lacroix, where she received her first design experience.

In 1997, McCartney was appointed Creative Director for Chloe where she would stay for 4 years. During her tenure there, she dramatically increased the sales of the then flagging fashion powerhouse. She brought with her celebrity clients that included Madonna and Cameron Diaz.

In March 2001, she left Chloe and launched her own label under her name in a partnership with Gucci. Her label "Stella McCartney" debuted in Paris during the Spring 2002 season and has continued to show there up to now.

Her Fall 2007 collection that was unveiled in Paris last February received critical acclaim from the press, especially the outerwear, which is truly, the best proposed for the season. From the anorak to the navy-inspired peacoat, all the way to the trapeze shaped coats, all of them are expected to fly off the shelves the moment they hit the store shelves.