KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Prestige Preservation LLC, an international licenser of products and processes for cleaning and preserving bridal gowns and other textile memorabilia, is targeting the Japanese market. The firm announced a multiyear agreement with Tokyo Wholesale, a division of Hokuyosha Co. Ltd.
Hokuyosha and Tokyo Wholesale have more than 30 years of experience in drycleaning, Prestige says, with 2006 sales of nearly $50 million. The licensing agreement gives Tokyo Wholesale exclusive rights to use and market Prestige Preservation’s system throughout Japan.
“This agreement is a win-win,” says Karen Maxwell, general manager of Prestige Preservation. “We believe Tokyo Wholesale is well-positioned for growth in bridal-garment and formalwear cleaning and preservation using Prestige Preservation products and many of our recommended processes.”
“A huge number of Japanese brides want their Western wedding attire to be preserved,” says Ken Muto, managing representative for Tokyo Wholesale and principal of Ken Muto International in Toronto. “And Japan’s many competitive ballroom dancers like to preserve their costumes for later generations to enjoy.”
Prestige Preservation has licensees in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia and New Zealand. The company says its formulations and training program ensure that every licensee can clean and preserve bridal gowns, formalwear, uniforms and christening gowns with repeatable results. Prestige Preservation is endorsed by the wedding-planning website theknot.com.
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