Brighton’s Ezequiel Schelotto is aiming to bring Argentinian fashion – and Lionel Messi – to the UK with his new boutique
Argentinian defender has high hopes after opening Forget Me Not with his wife and pals on the South Coast
FORGET red wine and steak, ladies' fashion could soon be Argentina's biggest export to Britain thanks to Premier League star Ezequiel Schelotto.
The Brighton defender has just opened a boutique in the city stocking some of the most stylish clothing his country has to offer - and he could soon have Lionel Messi knocking on his door.
Luxurious Forget Me Not sells high-end ladies' garments from his country's top designers, with Messi's wife Antonella Roccuzzo and Cesc Fabregas’ other half Daniella Semaan already huge fans of their stunning handmade range.
Schelotto, his wife Gisela and two Argentinian friends who he met in Brighton after joining the Seagulls for £2.7million from Sporting Lisbon last year only started trading last month.
But while they have no background in the clothing business, 29-year-old Schelotto and Gisela are huge fans of Argentinian designers and have no doubts that bringing them to the British market will be a huge success.
The full back, who is understandably fashion conscious after spending two years at Inter Milan, told Sun Sport: 'We really believe in these brands and that’s why we were really interested to start this project.
"We are both Argentinian so we know about the quality of them.
"Our friends (business partners Narela Ortolani and Sebastian Puga) don't need to explain anything about the brands, when you hear the names you say 'Wow'."
Brighton are Schelotto’s tenth club, having plied his trade at eight different Italian sides before heading to the South Coast via Portugal.
He had a great first campaign with Chris Hughton’s side and became a fan favourite at the Amex, but has struggled for game time this season.
But despite that, does the fact that he has opened a business in Brighton’s famous Lanes mean he could be looking to put some roots down in Sussex?
He explained: “The idea of opening a shop in the city is great because I really love Brighton.
“It’s such a good city for opening the shop for the tourists and the people. I love the fans, they are very loyal.
“I’m really happy in Brighton and I’ve chosen to expand here. But the business is a good business and I can still be involved wherever I go.”
Last month’s big launch got a mixed reaction from Schelotto’s team-mates, many of whom came along for the shop’s opening day.
He explained: “The Brighton players and wives came and it was really fun.
“And they want to come back and buy something so that’s a really good sign.
“They are all really excited and are starting to pop up to check it out.
“They all say that if they need something they know where to go now. That’s music to our ears.
“But the players say to me, 'Why did you open a shop for the women and not the men?' - and that their wives now need to spend even more money'."
And is there any chance of his playing pals getting a discount?
"No", Schelotto jokes. "I tell them they must pay double."
Forget Me Not – which was a year in planning - was the brainchild of Narela and Sebastian, who have backgrounds in marketing and accountancy.
The four friends are equal partners and the division of labour seems to suit everyone.
It means Schelotto is having no problem juggling his new life as a fashion entrepreneur with a career as a professional footballer.
He said: “It's OK because my wife is working on the project so I can focus on football.
“I am very happy with the project and if I can help in any way, like the open day and inviting the players, of course I will do it.
“But it works perfectly as these guys can run it and I don’t have to work in the shop and can focus on football.”
There are already plans to open a new shop in London in the next year before branching out worldwide, and with famous fans of their products including the partners of Messi and Fabregas, it makes sense to aim high.
Antonella Ruccuzzo was seen at Fabregas' Ibiza wedding party earlier this year in a green Natalia Antolin dress, the only other version of which is available at Forget Me Knot for £919.
And Daniela Semaan has also been seen wearing the designer's outfits, with a white dress she was pictured in on Instagram on sale in the Brighton boutique for £1,027.
The shop also stocks items including shoes and handbags, as well as the extravagant evening gowns that footballers’ wives go for.
And plenty of items are affordable for women who don’t have a footballer as a husband.
Saying that, Schelotto jokes that a number of Argentinian stars who play in England could soon be popping down to Brighton for a shopping trip with their partners, including Manchester United's Marcos Rojo and Spurs star Eric Lamela.
When asked if Lionel Messi's wife might be joining them, he confidently replies: "Yes, why not?"
And with that sort of ambition, it would be no surprise if Forget Me Not soon became a name to remember.