Warm front for Agent Provocateur in Moscow

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:

Lingerie group Agent Provocateur is going from 'strength to strength' as saucy Russians turn to bedroom frolics to escape the strain of the recession.

The racy underwear firm, co-founded by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's son Joe Corre, is opening a fourth shop in Moscow on Friday and looking at proposed sites in Kiev and St Petersburg.

There is strong demand for its goods from Middle Eastern buyers, chief executive Garry Hogarth said, but parts of the American market are suffering, particularly party town Las Vegas.

Pixie Geldof's modelling campaign has contributed towards Agent Provocateur's strong outlook

Pixie Geldof's modelling campaign has contributed towards Agent Provocateur's strong outlook

Agent Provocateur, which was bought by private equity group 3i in November 2007, said the UK is its most difficult market.

Sales of whips and satin corsets were 8 per cent higher last year thanks to a high-profile modelling campaign including well-known names such as Pixie Geldof.

However, earnings fell 19 per cent to £2.2million as the firm invested in new shops and the website.

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