Pearl-processing firm Man Sang International is to launch a limited-edition Barbie pearl necklace together with toy-maker Mattel to mark the doll's 40th anniversary.
The necklace, to be sold at US$2,800, and made with high-grade pink Chinese freshwater pearls, is on display in the 16th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.
'By co-operating with Mattel, we want to establish our own brand name in the global market and elevate the image of freshwater pearl jewellery in customers' minds,' Man Sang chairman Ricky Cheng Chung-hing said yesterday.
Corporate development director Sonny Hung Kwok-wing said: 'Barbie's 'materialistic' image matches with jewellery consumption. We're targeting women who have grown up from being little girls who loved playing with the doll.' Man Sang's move to promote its 'M.S. Collection' is in line with the company's aim of expanding its business from manufacturing and wholesaling into retailing.
The necklaces, global sales of which will be limited to 999, are forecast to generate a profit margin of 20 to 30 per cent.
Man Sang has also signed a deal with Walt Disney to manufacture and distribute jewellery ornaments in the design of the Winnie the Pooh character.
