Russia’s Raketa Targets International Market

READY FOR TAKEOFF: Historic Russian watch label Raketa is gearing up for international domination. The brand, which stems from Russia’s oldest factory, the Petrodvorets Watch Factory in St. Petersburg, is banking on a renewed appetite for Russian labels and has opened what chairman and head of design Jacques von Polier describes as “our first corner beyond the Iron Curtain.” On Thursday, the label celebrated its introduction at high-end watch store Freret-Roy, just off the Rue de la Paix and around the corner from Place Vendôme, with a cocktail party. Polier took over the company in 2010, employing Swiss engineers alongside the local production team. He has spent the past few years rebuilding and repositioning the brand in line with his belief that there is a place for Russian labels on the global luxury market. “Russia has a great international culture, but doesn’t have many brands,” he explained. “After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russian people dreamed of the West, but I’ve always believed that was temporary. We can become for Russia what Louis Vuitton is for France.” The brand has forged links with celebrities — Russian model and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova, Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica and Bolshoi Theatre dancers Anna Tikhomirova and Artem

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