"This is a great avenue to speak with decision makers, " says Odile Kane, who sits on the network's leadership board.

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The business had stayed in the family, eventually passing to Odile's father, who had run it until his death in 1970.

ECONOMIST: Henry Racamier

It was founded and designed by Odile and Douglas Benjamin, part of the FJ Benjamin family who owns the Singapore franchises for Givenchy, Gap, Goyard and Celine.

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