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{{Short description|Argentine sports and leisure clothing manufacturer}}
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{{Infobox Company
{{Infobox company
| company_name = La Martina
| name = La Martina
| company_logo = [[Image:La Martina.svg|150px|La Martina logo.]]
| logo = [[Image:La Martina.svg|150px|La Martina logo.]]
| company_type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| company_slogan =
| foundation = 1985
| foundation = 1985
| location = [[Buenos Aires, Argentina]]
| location = [[Buenos Aires, Argentina]]
| founder = [[Lando Simonetti]]
| key_people =
| founder = Lando Simonetti
| num_employees = 800
| num_employees =
| industry = [[Retail]]
| industry = [[Retail]]
| products = [[Apparel]], [[Shoes]]
| products = [[Apparel]], [[Shoes]]
| revenue =
| homepage = [http://www.lamartina.com/ www.lamartina.com]
| homepage = [http://www.lamartina.com/ www.lamartina.com]
}}
}}
'''La Martina''' is an Argentine sports and leisure clothing manufacturer.<ref name="Luxury">{{cite book | title=Luxury Brand Management | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | author=Chevalier, Michel | year=2012 | location=Singapore | isbn=978-1-118-17176-9}}</ref>


==History==
'''La Martina''' is a brand internationally known as the icon of the polo. Since 80’s La Martina is an Argentinean polo equipment and leisure clothing manufacturer and is present in North, Central and South America, Europe, Middle East and South East Asia with more than 70 exclusive stores, among which: Buenos Aires, Palm Beach, St Tropez, Milan, Lyon, Porto Cervo, Capri, Dubai, Doha and Kuala Lumpur.
La Martina was founded by Lando Simonetti, who was working in the fashion industry in the United States until 1985. That year he moved back to his native Argentina. The company originally created leather products such as saddles and boots for use in the sport of polo, and following this the company moved into the creation of other apparel such as shirts and caps. 65% of the materials used in the products are sourced locally in Argentina. In addition to La Martina, Simonetti also founded the Polo Management Group, which managed international polo tournaments in partnership with La Martina.<ref name=ft />


As of 2000 the company had sales of $1.2 million and its products could be purchased over the Internet.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61898452.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018210511/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61898452.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=Argentina: La Martina found niche.|date=5 May 2000}}</ref> Over the 2000s sales for the company then increased to $200 million. At this point, the company began to refocus on polo equipment instead of pure fashion, rearranging its business operations in Europe in order to attempt the new direction. Sales slowed, though they did continue to grow at about twenty percent, in an effort to lessen the dilution of the “luxury” reputation of the brand.<ref name=ft>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d35e89a8-2ff6-11e2-891b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3KrJiYeGG|title=The case study: Polo kit maker opted for exclusivity|first=Dominique|last=Turpin|publisher=|newspaper=Financial Times|date=19 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1kXXAgAAQBAJ|title=Quest: Leading Global Transformations|first1=N.|last1=Anand|first2=Jean-Louis|last2=Barsoux|date=11 February 2014|publisher=IMD|isbn=9782940485079|via=Google Books}}</ref> In 2015 La Martina opened its first store in London,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/la-martina-to-open-london-flagship-store|title=La Martina to open London flagship store|date=12 November 2014 |publisher=}}</ref> and it has additional stores in North America, South America, and Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KfgFAwAAQBAJ|title=Residence Magazine Vol. 8: Residence Magazine Vol. 8|date=5 March 2014|publisher=Three Sixty Biz Co., Ltd.|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-239070241.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204630/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-239070241.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=La Martina opens second Dubai store.|date=10 October 2010}}</ref> New clothing releases have occurred outside of Argentina, including at polo events in Dubai.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-219629843.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204358/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-219629843.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=La Martina to unveil new products at Dubai Horse Fair.|date=24 February 2010}}</ref> Newsweek Magazine has stated of La Martina that it has, “changed the sport of kings by offering players more protection and comfort”.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-182820090.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018203531/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-182820090.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=Shopping: Straight From Argentina.(The Good Life)(Brief article)|date=25 August 2008}}</ref>
La Martina has been designated the official supplier of [[Federation of International Polo]], the [http://www.aapolo.com Argentinean Polo Association] and other international federations. In addition to the various national teams, La Martina also equips the university teams among other [[Harvard]], [[Yale]], [[Oxford]], [[Cambridge]] and the [[College of St. Xavier]] in Mumbai.


⚫
==Partnership==
La Martina is currently the official supplier of more than 90 polo events around the world. The activities of La Martina involve about 800 people.
La Martina has been designated the official supplier<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3eFJAgAAQBAJ|title=Event Sponsorship|first1=Ian|last1=McDonnell|first2=Malcolm|last2=Moir|date=4 December 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781136288784|via=Google Books}}</ref> of the Argentina [[polo]] teams by the Argentinean Polo Association,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/style/03iht-RBuenos.3015960.html|title=Buenos Aires comes out for polo season|last=Irwin|first=Jennifer |date=October 3, 2006|work=International Herald Tribune|accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> as well as the official supplier of [[Federation of International Polo]],<ref name=oneh>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNTXbiam6tkC&q=La+Martina+polo&pg=PA112 |title=1000 Ideas by 100 Fashion Designers |page= 112|isbn=9781616738686 |last1=Cerimedo |first1=Carolina |date=April 2010 }}</ref> at all international tournaments. The countries for which La Martina designs its team polo shirts include the UK, Argentina, the United States, Brazil, and Dubai.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-204109152.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204215/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-204109152.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=Polo brand launches Dubai team shirts.|date=20 July 2009}}</ref> In addition to the various national teams, La Martina also equips the university teams from [[Harvard]], [[Yale]], [[Oxford]], [[Cambridge]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Behnken|first=Wolfgang |title=Luxury Equestrian Design|publisher=teNeues|year=2006|pages=213|isbn=3-8327-9144-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f5PpQ3DIB0MC&q=%22La+Martina%22+source:%22-newswire%22+source:%22-wire%22+source:%22-presswire%22+source:%22-PR%22+source:%22-press%22+source:%22-release%22+source:%22-wikipedia%22&pg=PT222|accessdate=August 10, 2009}}</ref> and the College of St. Xavier in [[Mumbai]], as well as the England national team,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/argentinas-la-martina-brings-polo-styling-to-uk|title=Argentina's La Martina brings polo styling to UK|last=Spear|first=Stephen|date=22 July 2008|work=Drapers|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref> Guards Polo Club, Polo de Paris and Milano Polo club.<ref name=Mcc>{{cite web|url=http://www.luxurydaily.com/la-martina-heightens-pursuit-of-counterfeits/|title=La Martina heightens pursuit of counterfeits - Luxury Daily - Commerce|date=16 April 2014 |publisher=}}</ref> La Martina has partnered with luxury companies in the development of its lines as well.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0dXcC9PgiiIC|title=Global Luxury Trends: Innovative Strategies for Emerging Markets|first1=Jonas|last1=Hoffmann|first2=Ivan|last2=Coste-Manière|date=4 December 2012|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=9781137287380|via=Google Books}}</ref> La Martina also produced Technical polo clothing and equipment for the Royal Salute team members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pololine.com/?lang=1&sec=8&note=5551&pag=0&anoB=2014|title=PoloLine - KIDS - The official site of Polo|publisher=}}</ref>


== History ==
==Events==
La Martina was the co-sponsor of Maserati Centenary Polo Tour with Maserati,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gqitalia.it/moda/trend/new/2014/12/01/maserati-centennial-polo-tour-e-la-martina-finale-a-dubai/ |title=Maserati Centennial Polo Tour e La Martina: finale a Dubai}}</ref> where 65 players from 12 countries participated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pololine.com/?lang=1&sec=3&note=5820&pag=0&anoB=2014|title=PoloLine - NEWS - The official site of Polo|publisher=}}</ref> It has also been the sponsor of the Copa de La Martina polo championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.poloplus10.com/thai-polo-cup-argentina-2014-team-power-infrastructure-is-the-champion-43232/ |title=Team Power Infrastructure is the champion}}</ref> In 2014, La Martina polo created a luxury saddle for the event they co-sponsored together with Maserati.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.motorward.com/2014/06/maserati-polo-saddle-by-la-martina/ |title=Maserati Polo Saddle by La Martina}}</ref>


==Anti-counterfeiting efforts==
An Argentine of Italian origin, Lando Simonetti built a career in the US fashion industry before returning to Argentina in 1985 and founding La Martina.
In January 2009, German police seized 20 tons of clothing after receiving complaints about La Martina holograms washing off shirts purchased on eBay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aT7rzjfmzcks&refer=europe|title=EBay Steps Up War on Counterfeits as L'Oreal Ruling, Trial Loom |last=Smith|first=Heather |date=February 27, 2009|work=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref>
A keen polo player in his youth, Mr Simonetti saw an opportunity to provide professional players with high-quality equipment. He began by making leather saddles and boots, then added shirts and caps and the 1985 marks the official birth of the company and of its first store located in the heart of Buenos Aires’ prime retail area. To date, La Martina still has a store there. <ref>{{cite web|title=The case study: Polo kit maker opted for exclusivity|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d35e89a8-2ff6-11e2-891b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2LHz6DYIU|publisher=Financial Times|authorlink=Dominique Turpin}}</ref>


⚫
==References==
[[File:La Casona Buenos Aires.jpg|thumb|La Casona Buenos Aires]]


In the 90’s, La Martina created a high handicap polo team to participate at the tournaments in Argentina, in particular to the Argentinean Open, the biggest and most renowned polo event in the world. The first sponsor for the team was [[Alfa Romeo]]. After then, major Argentinean polo players and team became regular customers at La Martina and started to request special shirt series for their teams and clubs. As Argentina was the mecca for polo, shop owners and teams from around the world came to Buenos Aires and started buying the shirts for wholesale distribution.

In 2002 La Martina joined the trade show Pitti Uomo in Florence, in order to introduce the brand in Europe presenting the new fashion collections, and started opening flagship stores in prestigious locations such as Milan, Rome, Madrid, high-end summer resorts such as St. Tropez and Capri and locations where polo was widely played such as Sylt, Germany.
In 2007, La Martina opened the first store in United States at Miami Beach, followed by, in 2010, the opening in Las Vegas.
La Martina made its Middle East debut by opening a store at the Dubai Mall in 2009. This outlet offers the complete range of La Martina fashion products, including the famous polo fashion line.
In 2010, watches, perfumes and leather accessories were also introduced through licensees to complete the product range.
In November 2010, La Martina opened a second flagship shop at the Emirates Mall, following an earlier one at the Dubai Mall, and the first store in Santo Domingo.
In December 2011, La Martina opened first store in Casablanca, at Morocco Mall, the first and only destination Mall in the Mediterranean and Africa. <ref>{{cite web|title=La Martina bets on retail expansion|url=http://www.moroccotomorrow.org/la-martina-bets-on-retail-expansion/|publisher=Sportswear International|authorlink=Maria Cristina Pavarini}}</ref>
In November 2012, La Martina opened its first flagship boutique at Pavilion KL, in Kuala Lumpur, in partnership with luxury goods retailer, Valiram Group. Ever in 2012, La Martina opened a flagship store at Sambil Mall, Caracas.
La Martina plans to open several stores in 2013, in locations including Houston, Washington and Mexico, and is expanding cautiously into Asia.

== Stores ==

As of February 2013, La Martina operated more than 70 stores in the world. The figure reflects retail operations across various locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

== Polo Management Group ==

In parallel to La Martina, Lando Simonetti also created a company to promote the sport of polo around the world. [http://www.polomanagementgroup.com Polo Management Group] (PMG) provided an integrated set of services needed to organize turnkey Polo events anywhere on the planet. This way, La Martina was able to bring back the sport to places, such as Russia and the Island of Brioni in Croatia, where polo had not been played for decades. Brioni, the famous Italian fashion house hired PMG services to establish its polo grounds and organize the most prestigious polo event to serve as the centerpiece of the massive real estate development.
In 2007 alone, PMG arranged and supplied some 60 events in Europe, making it by far the largest polo organizer in the world.
Later in 2010, PMG created the very first 80 goal polo match exhibition in Paris, being the first time ever played in Europe, the very best top players in the world ranked 10 goal where battling the La Martina trophy in bagatelle hosted at Polo Du Paris.

⚫
== Partnership ==

La Martina is partner of the [[Guards Polo Club]], the polo club most closely associated with the British Royal Family and called by The Polo Magazine the most prestigious polo club in the world”. HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has been President of the club since its formation on the 25th January 1955 and HM The Queen is its Patron. In 2009, HM Queen Elizabeth II opened La Martina’s polo pro shop at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.
In 2010, a licensing deal with Guards Polo Club allows La Martina to use the Guards brand, with a new collection due out next year. To mark the Spring-Summer 2013 collection, La Martina presented their capsule collection “Guards Polo Club by La Martina” in the British Embassy.

La Martina is partner of [[Maserati]], the Modena-based luxury automotive manufacturer, and in 2011 produces a limited edition polo shirt, featuring their respective logos. To celebrate this partnership, Maserati sponsored the Italian team during the European qualifiers for the Polo World Championship at the Villa Sesta Polo Club in Bucine, near the Tuscan town of Arezzo. The tournament is a prelude to the world finals which be held in Argentina in October 2011. On the La Martina for Maserati polo shirt, a faithful replica of the Maserati Polo Team official shirt, the Italian flag is featured along the front placket as well as on the under collar.
The new Capsule Collection was presented at Pitti Immagine Uomo in 2012 inspired by the prestigious event called "Polo at the Palace" which was held in November 2011 at Abu Dhabi.


⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
* [http://www.lamartina.com/ La Martina Official Site]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Martina, La}}
[[Category:High fashion brands]]
[[Category:High fashion brands]]
[[Category:Clothing companies established in 1985]]
[[Category:Luxury brands]]
[[Category:Luxury brands]]
[[Category:Clothing companies of Argentina]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Buenos Aires]]
[[Category:Argentine companies established in 1985]]
[[Category:Sportswear brands]]
[[Category:Sportswear brands]]
[[Category:Polo competitions]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of Argentina]]
[[Category:Polo clubs]]

Latest revision as of 09:37, 6 December 2023

La Martina
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded1985
FounderLando Simonetti
HeadquartersBuenos Aires, Argentina
ProductsApparel, Shoes
Websitewww.lamartina.com

La Martina is an Argentine sports and leisure clothing manufacturer.[1]

History

[edit]

La Martina was founded by Lando Simonetti, who was working in the fashion industry in the United States until 1985. That year he moved back to his native Argentina. The company originally created leather products such as saddles and boots for use in the sport of polo, and following this the company moved into the creation of other apparel such as shirts and caps. 65% of the materials used in the products are sourced locally in Argentina. In addition to La Martina, Simonetti also founded the Polo Management Group, which managed international polo tournaments in partnership with La Martina.[2]

As of 2000 the company had sales of $1.2 million and its products could be purchased over the Internet.[3] Over the 2000s sales for the company then increased to $200 million. At this point, the company began to refocus on polo equipment instead of pure fashion, rearranging its business operations in Europe in order to attempt the new direction. Sales slowed, though they did continue to grow at about twenty percent, in an effort to lessen the dilution of the “luxury” reputation of the brand.[2][4] In 2015 La Martina opened its first store in London,[5] and it has additional stores in North America, South America, and Asia.[6][7] New clothing releases have occurred outside of Argentina, including at polo events in Dubai.[8] Newsweek Magazine has stated of La Martina that it has, “changed the sport of kings by offering players more protection and comfort”.[9]

Partnership

[edit]

La Martina has been designated the official supplier[10] of the Argentina polo teams by the Argentinean Polo Association,[11] as well as the official supplier of Federation of International Polo,[12] at all international tournaments. The countries for which La Martina designs its team polo shirts include the UK, Argentina, the United States, Brazil, and Dubai.[13] In addition to the various national teams, La Martina also equips the university teams from Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge[14] and the College of St. Xavier in Mumbai, as well as the England national team,[15] Guards Polo Club, Polo de Paris and Milano Polo club.[16] La Martina has partnered with luxury companies in the development of its lines as well.[17] La Martina also produced Technical polo clothing and equipment for the Royal Salute team members.[18]

Events

[edit]

La Martina was the co-sponsor of Maserati Centenary Polo Tour with Maserati,[19] where 65 players from 12 countries participated.[20] It has also been the sponsor of the Copa de La Martina polo championship.[21] In 2014, La Martina polo created a luxury saddle for the event they co-sponsored together with Maserati.[22]

Anti-counterfeiting efforts

[edit]

In January 2009, German police seized 20 tons of clothing after receiving complaints about La Martina holograms washing off shirts purchased on eBay.[23]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Chevalier, Michel (2012). Luxury Brand Management. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-17176-9.
  2. ^ a b Turpin, Dominique (19 November 2012). "The case study: Polo kit maker opted for exclusivity". Financial Times.
  3. ^ "Argentina: La Martina found niche". 5 May 2000. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Anand, N.; Barsoux, Jean-Louis (11 February 2014). Quest: Leading Global Transformations. IMD. ISBN 9782940485079 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "La Martina to open London flagship store". 12 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Residence Magazine Vol. 8: Residence Magazine Vol. 8". Three Sixty Biz Co., Ltd. 5 March 2014 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "La Martina opens second Dubai store". 10 October 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ "La Martina to unveil new products at Dubai Horse Fair". 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ "Shopping: Straight From Argentina.(The Good Life)(Brief article)". 25 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ McDonnell, Ian; Moir, Malcolm (4 December 2013). Event Sponsorship. Routledge. ISBN 9781136288784 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Irwin, Jennifer (October 3, 2006). "Buenos Aires comes out for polo season". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  12. ^ Cerimedo, Carolina (April 2010). 1000 Ideas by 100 Fashion Designers. p. 112. ISBN 9781616738686.
  13. ^ "Polo brand launches Dubai team shirts". 20 July 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. ^ Behnken, Wolfgang (2006). Luxury Equestrian Design. teNeues. p. 213. ISBN 3-8327-9144-2. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  15. ^ Spear, Stephen (22 July 2008). "Argentina's La Martina brings polo styling to UK". Drapers. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  16. ^ "La Martina heightens pursuit of counterfeits - Luxury Daily - Commerce". 16 April 2014.
  17. ^ Hoffmann, Jonas; Coste-Manière, Ivan (4 December 2012). Global Luxury Trends: Innovative Strategies for Emerging Markets. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137287380 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ "PoloLine - KIDS - The official site of Polo".
  19. ^ "Maserati Centennial Polo Tour e La Martina: finale a Dubai".
  20. ^ "PoloLine - NEWS - The official site of Polo".
  21. ^ "Team Power Infrastructure is the champion".
  22. ^ "Maserati Polo Saddle by La Martina".
  23. ^ Smith, Heather (February 27, 2009). "EBay Steps Up War on Counterfeits as L'Oreal Ruling, Trial Loom". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
[edit]
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