MBFG FIRST QUARTER 2008 RESULTS

RNS Number : 5144U
Burani Designer Holding N.V.
15 May 2008

BURANI DESIGNER HOLDING'S SUBSIDIARY MARIELLA BURANI FASHION GROUP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2008 RESULTS

Burani Designer Holding N.V (AIM: BRDH), a company offering Italian lifestyle products and services to customers world-wide, today notes
that the company's subsidiary Mariella Burani Fashion Group S.p.A (MBFG), in which it holds a 61% stake, has made the following
announcement:

PRESS RELEASE
MARIELLA BURANI FASHION GROUP
Cavriago - May 15, 2008

MARIELLA BURANI FASHION GROUP REPORTS STRONG 1Q 2008 RESULTS WITH EBIT REFLECTING GROWTH OF 24.2%

The Board of Directors of Mariella Burani Fashion Group Spa yesterday approved the consolidated financial results for the first quarter
of 2008 which reflect:

* Revenues of EUR181.2 million from EUR178.1 million in 1Q 2007, reflecting 1.7% total growth and 12.8% organic growth;
* EBITDA of EUR29.1 million (+14.4%) vs. EUR 25.5 million in 1Q 2007;
* EBIT of EUR24.8 million (+24.2%) vs. EUR20 million in 1Q 2007;
* Pretax income of EUR16.7 million (+20.1%) vs. EUR 13.9 million of in 1Q 2007.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - 1Q 2008

Consolidated revenues of 1Q 2008 increased to EUR181.2 million compared to EUR178.1 million for the same period in 2007. Total revenues
reflect the net impact of the disposal of the multi-brand retail division in May 2007, the consolidation of Valente and Calgaro (Fashion
jewellery), and the acquisition of Dadorosa (Leather Goods) in June 2007. Organic revenues grew by 12.8% during the period.

The Group's total growth was driven primarily by:

* The strong performance of the Leather Goods division (Antichi Pellettieri) that realised 18.5% growth during 1Q 2008: the divisional
growth was primarily driven by the excellent results of own brands such as Baldinini (+40%), Braccialini (+37%) and Sebastian (+39%);
* The growth of the Apparel division driven by the optimal performance of Junior Fashion Group;
* The optimal growth realised in emerging luxury markets (+33.1%) driven by the strong growth realized in Russia, Eastern Europe, and
the Middle East;
* The Organic growth realized in Italy (+8.0%).

EBITDA reached EUR29.1 million for the year (+14.4%) with an EBITDA margin of 16.1% versus 14.3% for the same period in 2007. EBITDA
growth is mainly attributable to the continuous improvement in the Group's sales mix, to operating leverage, economies of scale and further
rationalization of the Apparel division.

The Group's sales mix reflects:

* Leather Goods and Fashion Jewellery divisions, which together generated 63.4% of revenues vs. 50.9% in 1Q 2007;
* Export sales which generated 63.1% of revenues with emerging markets representing 35.9%, and US and Japan, together limited to 5%
of the Group's revenues.
* Own brands which generated 81.7% of revenues;
* Direct distribution channels which generated 52.2% of revenues with the Group's retail network reflecting 16.2% of revenues.

EBIT increased to EUR24.8 million (+24.2%) from EUR20 million in 1Q 2007.

Pretax income increased to EUR16.7 million (+20%) for 1Q 2008 vs. EUR13.9 million in 1Q 2007.

Net Financial Position reflected Net Debt of EUR202.7 million vs. EUR193.4 million at December 31, 2007 reflecting an optimal
debt/equity ratio of 0.67.

STRATEGIC AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS - 1Q 2008

The 2008 first quarter has proven extremely dynamic with strategic acquisitions, product launches, senior management appointments, and
the continued extension of the retail network.

Strategic acquisitions include:

* The acquisition of 100% of Finduck, owner of the renowned brand, Mandarina Duck (May 2008). The Mandarina Duck brand, established
amongst the leading international brands in the accessible luxury goods market, provides a full range of handbags and accessories for
travel, work and sports;
* The acquisition of 35% of the equity of Jaya. With this acquisition, Mariella Burani Fashion Group owns 100% of Jaya's share
capital;
* The acquisition of 14% of the equity of Francesco Biasia Spa (May 2008). With this acquisition, AP owns 100% of Francesco Biasia's
share capital.

Product extensions include:

* Mariella Burani brand "Jeans" for the S/S 2009 collection;
* Mariella Burani lingerie, beachwear and casual wear collections.

Senior Management appointments include:

* Luca Bertolini, Managing Director of MBFG's Apparel division;
* Heinz Hackl, Executive President of Administration for RenLezard GmbH.

Product launches include:

* John Galliano's women's jewellery collection at Basilea;
* Francesco Biasia men's collection;
* Braccialini beachwear collection and perfumes;
* Baldinini perfumes;
* Andrea Pfister footwear collections.

The continued development of the Group's retail network with 255 boutiques at March 31, 2008 (86 DOS and 169 Franchises), including the
inauguration of:

* 4 DOS (1 Baldinini in Florence, Italy; 1 Francesco Biasia in Rome, Italy; 2 Sebastian - 1 in Brescia, Italy and 1 in Paris,
France),
* 14 Franchises, of which 4 Braccialini (2 in Russia; 1 in Turkey; and 1 in New York, USA), 5 Baldinini (3 in Russia; 1 in Ukraine;
1 in Turkey) and 5 Francesco Biasia (1 in Italy; 3 in Lithuania; and 1 in Japan).

The further integration of recently acquired companies with particular attention to the development of synergies within the Group.

OUTLOOK 2008

As witnessed in the first quarter results, the accessible luxury goods market continues to offer many opportunities for MBFG. The Group
is benefiting from its strong presence in emerging markets which continue to drive growth and its limited presence in the USA and Japan,
riskier markets characterized by slower consumer spending.

The encouraging sell-out statistics of the Spring/Summer 2008 collections, the positive performance in the first quarter of the year,
and the acquisition of Finduck Srl, lead management to expect continued dynamic growth in 2008.

"The Financial Reporting Officer, Giuseppe Gullo, certifies - pursuant to art. 154-bis, paragraph 2 of the Uniform Finance Act
(Legislative Decree 58/1988) - that the information contained in this press release corresponds to the accounting documents, ledgers and
entries".

Mariella Burani Fashion Group (MBFG) designs, produces and distributes world wide a diversified and complementary range of Luxury
apparel, footwear, leather accessory and jewellery collections under its own brands and under license for prestigious international
designers. MBFG founded in 1960 by Walter Burani, Chairman and CEO of the Group listed in the STAR segment of the Italian stock exchange
since July, 2000, is today an internationally recognised public company with an established position in the accessible luxury goods market.
The Group's dynamic revenue growth is attributable to internal development including product diversification, brand expansion, and new
geographic market penetration. The Group has also made strategic acquisitions to capitalise on the know-how and experience developed by
niche players in the Italian apparel, knitwear, textile and leather goods sectors. MBFG manages to provide top quality luxury goods at
accessible prices by capitalising on the strength and flexibility provided by Italy's industrial districts, world renown for their excellence in the development of luxury products. The Group's aim is to become one
of the leading players in the accessible luxury market worldwide by further developing its product offering, its brand portfolio, and its
global distribution network.

Contacts

Carol Brumer Investor Relations and Strategic Development:, cbrumer@mariellaburani.com, tel. (+39) 02 76420111
Daniela Zari Corporate Communications:, dzari@mariellaburani.com, tel. (+39) 02 76015354

Enquiries:

Burani Designer Holding N.V. Tel: +39 027 642 0111 / +39 348 256 1971
Carol Brumer (cbrumer@buranidh.com)

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 20 7638 9571
Kate Delahunty
Sarah Gestetner

www.buranidh.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

The BDH Group offers a complementary range of "Italian lifestyle" products and services to an international customer base. BDH is a
player in fashion apparel, leather goods and jewellery through its subsidiary Mariella Burani Fashion Group S.p.A. (MBFG), and in three
complementary business segments - beachwear & underwear, wellness spas & skincare and food design. BDH, listed on London's Alternative
Investment Market (AIM) in June 2007, focuses on growth through the acquisition and integration of quality "Italian lifestyle" businesses
and the creation of operating divisions able to benefit from scale and synergies of the BDH Group. The management believes that the
in-depth knowledge of luxury products, the value created by strategic shareholders, the skills of the BDH team management as well as the
Group's investment approach, represent a great opportunity of value creation for shareholders.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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