Singapore fashion label Raoul is expanding into Sri Lanka.

Raoul’s parent company FJ Benjamin has signed a franchise agreement with Sri Lankan company White Lotus Fashions to open the first standalone Raoul store in Colombo in December.

The Raoul franchise is for an initial five years, with an option to renew for another three years subject to conditions.

“Raoul is entering the Sri Lankan market at a time when the country’s economy is poised for further growth following the end of a three-decade war,” said FJ Benjamin COO Douglas Benjamin.

“This franchise agreement will give Raoul first mover advantage in a country where the market for luxury fashion is still at a nascent stage with very few quality brands available for the discerning, fashion conscious shopper.”

In May this year, FJ Benjamin also signed a franchise agreement with Chongqing-based Budy Import & Export Trading Co to set up Raoul stores in China from mid-September.

Raoul was created by Douglas and Odile Benjamin in 2002 to fill a niche by providing ‘quality but affordable’ shirts for men. It later branched out to womenswear, accessories and leather goods, which now account for more than half of its sales.

The brand is sold in over 30 countries around the world including stores in Singapore, the Middle East, Paris, Milan, London and New York. It is also available on online stores.

It is one of two in-house brands for the FJ Benjamin Group, the other being Catherine Deane. The group also distributes a range of brands including Banana Republic, Celine, Gap, Givenchy, Goyard, Guess, La Senza, Valextra, Bell & Ross, Girard-Perregaux and Marc Ecko.