Beaute Prestige International USA Announces Patrice Beliard as President

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It is announced today that effective, March 1st 2011, Patrice BELIARD will assume the position of President, Beaute Prestige International USA, the US division of the Paris-based luxury fragrance company and a division of Shiseido Americas Corporation. Mr. BELIARD succeeds Nicolas MUNAFO, who left BPI USA in November 2010.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110120/NY32806 )

Mr. BELIARD has held a number of successive positions at Beaute Prestige International, most recently as General Manager of BPI's Italian subsidiary; a position he has held since 2006. He previously led the Japanese division with oversight of emerging Asian markets including China, and served as Regional Sales Manager for BPI Miami, with sales responsibility for the South American market and the travel retail division. Prior to joining BPI, Mr. BELIARD worked as a Client Service Manager for Hermes servicing the firm's boutiques in the Americas and Southern Europe as well as its travel retail installations.

"In a relatively short time, Patrice has built an impressive professional legacy at BPI. His vast international experience, solid business acumen and proven ability to grow sales volume and increase turnover regardless of local market conditions make him the perfect choice to lead the US division," says Eric HENRY, COO of Beaute Prestige International.

"The US market will remain a key focus for BPI for the foreseeable future," says HENRY. "Patrice's remarkable record of accomplishments, particularly with two of this market's most vital brands, Jean Paul Gaultier's LE MALE and Narciso Rodriguez 'for her', stands as evidence of his skill, talent and imagination. I am confident that his success leading the US division is all but assured."

Beaute Prestige International was created in 1992 to augment Shiseido's fragrance business with the development of new designer fragrance brands. Beginning with Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey in 1992, the company has slowly and steadily built its brand portfolio to include French designer Jean Paul Gaultier's CLASSIQUE in 1993.

In 2000, Beaute Prestige International USA was formed to reinforce the presence of these brands in the US market through a highly selective distribution plan.  Building on the success of the Jean Paul Gaultier and Issey Miyake fragrances, Beaute Prestige International added American designer Narciso Rodriguez to its roster in 2003. In 2009, BPI USA was selected to administer the sales and distribution of Hermes fragrances and in 2010 assumed US sales and distribution responsibility for Annick Goutal Parfums.

Today, Beaute Prestige International's fragrance brands can be found in fine department and specialty stores nationwide. www.bpi-sa.com

SOURCE Beaute Prestige International USA