PETER Kinloch Anderson, scion of the Leith-based Highland dressmaking dynasty, has been despatched to Shanghai to open a chain of top-end stores for the family-owned company in fast-growing China.

Over the past two decades Kinloch Anderson has become well-established in key Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Director Deidre Kinloch Anderson said her son Peter, the brother of chief executive John Kinloch Anderson, hoped to oversee the opening of four Kinloch Anderson stores in China this autumn.

In common with its strategy in other Far East markets, the bulk of Kinloch Anderson's products will be manufactured under licence in China itself.

Having worked in territories including Hong Kong and the US in the past, Peter Kinloch Anderson joined the family firm at the beginning of the year.

Since May he has been based in China seeking the most prestigious locations for the family's stores and making and preparing the ranges to go into the stores.

The 144-year-old company already has 300 outlets, both concessions and standalone stores, across East Asia.

Mrs Kinloch Anderson told The Herald: "The more we work in the Far East, the more we see the opportunities that are opening up."

At home Kinloch Anderson is known for its kilts and tartans.

In the Far East it focuses on luxury clothing, in particular menswear such as jackets, trousers and knitwear, as well as leather goods and household textiles.

"What we are really is a lifestyle brand," Mrs Kinlock Anderson said.

The items have what she called a "subtle" link to Scotland, in the decoration on the trim or incorporated in the lining of its items.

However, she said a Scottish identity is a "very important" aspect of the brand's appeal.

She said: "We want our brand to be recognised as a British brand but essentially Scottish."

The company plans to send out kilts and other icons of Scottishness for staff in China to wear for promotional purposes.

Mrs Kinloch Anderson said: "It is the beginning of the story in China. China is a competitive market, it is a difficult market. We are going to take it slowly."

She said if the right stores do not become available in the coming months, the company will merely wait until the spring.

"It is important we go in at the level we want to go in at and the places where we want to be. Where we are is very important.

"We can wait until the longer term, much like the Chinese do."

The company has it eyes on Shanghai and the capital Beijing but would consider a secondary city if the right premises became available.

"It is a big enough country. We only need to a tiny section of it and we will do well," Mrs Kinloch Anderson said.