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Portuguese clothing companies are faced with the interesting challenge of being the new kids on the block in the global fashion industry. In this group, AJD is breaking new ground while proudly carrying the Portuguese flag. In 1996, Joao Domingues, managing director of AJD Comercio De Vestuario, established the Acetato brand of ready-to-wear clothing in Portugal. Armed with nine employees and a deeply rooted family tradition in the clothing sector, Domingues opened his first shop in the northern city of Porto. Six years and 11 stores later, the company has extended its doors beyond its borders and into neighboring Spain. "We've expanded at quite an accelerated pace," explains Domingues, "and we´ve managed to make waves internationally. Entering the Spanish market proved to be an exciting challenge for me since they have been rather cautious when it comes to Portuguese fashion houses. But we have been successful at changing their minds about us and our country. The first thing I always tell them is that we are Portuguese." AJD's strategy will be to make a place for itself in the crowded world of fashion via global growth. "We have been approached by a number of companies from around the globe wanting to franchise Acetato," he adds. "We are seriously considering this possibility for our expansion plans and hope to accomplish this in the near future." When asked to what he attributed the rapid success of the company, Domingues replies that AJD is consistently able to recognize and deliver the needs of its customers. "My vision was to create a brand that catered to the three most important requirements of the consumer: quality, fashion and affordability," he comments. "We have been successful at accomplishing this and continue to dedicate ourselves to fulfilling our goal."
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