FRENCH designer Denis Gancel first began looking closely at Shenzhen after he and his partner Gilles Deleris met city designer Li Xiaowen in Paris two years ago.
Seeing huge opportunities in the booming Chinese market, Gancel, chairman of W of Cie, said he was considering setting up an office in Futian District.
"Many asked why not settle down in metropolises such as Beijing and Shanghai,"Gancel said. "But we have sufficient knowledge of Shenzhen from Li, and the just closed China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair gives us a chance to look inside the city and the country's design industry."
He said the 2011 Universiade, which will be held in Shenzhen, will provide more business opportunities, especially from companies in sectors like real estate and retail.
"I expect the Universiade will boost real-estate and retailing markets further. Many companies will then need brand enhancement and management service to meet the international standard," said Gancel.
He cited the examples of the city's shopping malls.
?Brands inside the two shopping malls, The MIXc and Coco Park, are similar, but people can identify them very well due to different brand image.? Gancel said his company?s strategy is to help local shopping malls stand out by giving them a unique image.
One of the leading design agencies in Paris, W & Cie was established in 1977 by Gancel and Deleris. It has developed its expertise in brand management and design in Europe, the Middle East and South Korea.