Christina Ong
Founder & Owner, Club 21
The Singaporean hotelier and businesswoman has been hailed ‘Queen of Bond Street’ and has a controlling stake in Mulberry.
Retail tycoon and hotelier Christina Ong has built a franchise and multi-brand boutique empire that spans the globe. She and her husband, Singaporean business magnate Ong Seng Beng, are reportedly worth $1.7 billion as of 2019, according to Forbes. The two preside over several holding companies, including hotel chain Como Hotels and Resorts and fashion retail company Club 21.
Ong founded Club 21 in 1972 and manages retail operations for Giorgio Armani , Emporio and Armani Exhange franchises in the United Kingdom. In countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, Club 21 represents brands like Donna Karan , CK Calvin Klein , Giorgio Armani, Balenciaga, Marni, Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, Diesel, Paul Smith , Issey Miyake , Jil Sander , Dries van Noten, Comme des Garçons and Lanvin. She has 33 franchise stores in Singapore alone.
Ong took control of British luxury leather goods company Mulberry in 2003. She was a recipient of The Italian Fashion Hall of Fame Award in 1995 and The Italian Award of Cavaliere De Lavo. She resides in Singapore with her husband, with whom she has two children.
VITAL STATISTICS
Club 21: Singapore’s Original Multi-Brand Retailer
SINGAPORE — Founded in 1972 by internationally renowned retailer and entrepreneur Christina Ong, Club 21 began as a small boutique in Singapore's
What’s Ailing Mulberry?
Chief executive Thierry Andretta is trying to turn things around, but the British heritage brand is a no-show at London Fashion Week again this season after years of sluggish sales and a slumping share price.
Mulberry Doubles Down on UK Despite Brexit Woes
The handbag maker is committed to manufacturing in Britain, even as it grapples with rising costs since the country's EU referendum.
Exposing Asia’s Fashion Empires
The fortunes of many global brands are now in the hands of a few powerful families pondering what comes next for their fashion dynasties.
Jean-Marc Loubier of First Heritage Brands on Bridging East and West
Divia Harilela sits down with Jean-Marc Loubier, chief executive of First Heritage Brands, an investment arm of the Fung Group which owns Robert Clergerie, Delvaux and Sonia Rykiel, to talk about his global investment strategy.
Jean-Marc Loubier of First Heritage Brands on Bridging East and West
Divia Harilela sits down with Jean-Marc Loubier, chief executive of First Heritage Brands, an investment arm of the Fung Group which owns Robert Clergerie, Delvaux and Sonia Rykiel, to talk about his global investment strategy.
More Retailers
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
