New York, NY (June 1, 2006) - World-renowned luxury handbag designer Lana Marks has opened a LANA MARKS boutique at Harvey Nichols Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates, a first for her brand in the Middle East. Having just returned as the guest of honor for the opening festivities of Harvey Nichols’ Ladies Day, her boutique has quickly garnered the attention of luxury brand shoppers, with orders being placed faster than products can be made. Her Dubai boutique is one of many that she plans to open in the Gulf states and around the world as part of a five-year global rollout plan.

Since 1988, LANA MARKS has become synonymous with the finest fashion handbags crafted from exotic leathers, such as alligator, crocodile, ostrich and lizard. She creates limited editions of her luxury handbag creations in 100 colors and more than 150 designs. Her works have become a favorite among royalty such as Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Princess Firyal of Jordan and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. They have also graced the red carpet at countless Academy Awards, carried by such entertainment royalty as Charlize Theron, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson, Britney Spears, Madonna and California First Lady Maria Shriver, among others.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Harvey Nichols Dubai. Dubai is truly a magnificent city, and my experience with the people in the Middle East has been so rewarding,” says Marks. “This is something I have dreamed of and is now a reality.”

An exclusive LANA MARKS Platinum Collection with custom fittings was created in 32 fashion colors, such as sea foam, pistachio, rose water pink, sky blue, pastel lavender, ruby red and emerald green, in alligator. Taking more than six months to create and utilizing 1800 exotic leathers, the Collection was hand crafted in Italy. These unique styles, extraordinary colors and exotic leather combinations are some of the most unique handbags in the world, sold exclusively at Harvey Nichols Dubai.

Some of her other signature styles that are bestsellers in Dubai include the Jet Tote, Cleopatra Clutch and Princess Diana Handbag, along with the Bells and Whistles Tote and Femme Fatale Clutch. Many orders were also made for her new Positano Tote, a “must-have” bag in the United States that can be seen carried by some of Hollywood’s leading ladies.

The LANA MARKS Boutique at Harvey Nichols Dubai was built specifically according to the brand specifications, with her signature style and well-crafted details. The walls are her familiar cream bleached anigre wood panels with gold-leaf applied over hand-carved shelves and black cherry wood counters. Marks’ style is consistent with the brand throughout the world.