Five Hip French Labels Plan Mass Chic-ification of Manhattan

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A coterie of trendy young Parisian brands have survived the recession surprisingly well, and New York is set to benefit from their expansion plans. Basics line Comptoir de Cotonniers, which already has a location in Soho, plans to open another Manhattan store within the next sixth months. Sandro and Maje intend to have an NYC presence by the end of 2011. Vanessa Bruno, who is launching in LA in July, wants a New York location within the next two years. And Zadig & Voltaire would like two more local shops to join their current Meatpacking home and forthcoming Soho spot. Since all of these brands position themselves as "affordable luxury," this is good news for anyone who likes Isabel Marant's whole Frenchy-boho thing but feels a little less enthusiastic about her not-so-bohemian prices.
· French Contemporary Brands Step Up Expansion [WWD, subscription req'd]
· Isabel Marant Finally, Finally Opens on Broome Street Today [Racked NY]