THE GOOD LIFE IS MIU MIU AND THE HOUSE OF PRADA.

MILAN — The opening of Miu Miu’s third store in New York today is a further testament to the brand’s ongoing growth and bullish retail expansion, despite the economy.

“Miu Miu, with its strong and independent identity, has reached in just a few years a worldwide success and recognition,” Patrizio Bertelli, Prada’s chairman and chief executive officer, told WWD. “The growth registered in all its sectors confirms its position as one of the global reference brands in the luxury industry. The opening of the new store on 57th Street in New York is consistent with this approach and with the brand’s values and spirit.”

Last year, Miu Miu had sales of 220 million euros, or $277 million at current exchange, a company spokesman said. The brand has seen 30 percent sales increases annually over the past three years.

But while the 57th Street opening is a significant one, Prada has even more Miu Miu stores up its sleeve. Other U.S. openings planned for the next 12 to 18 months include Las Vegas; Costa Mesa, Calif., and Bal Harbour, Fla. These units will follow recent ribbon cuttings in Los Angeles; Macao, China, and inside Galeries Lafayette in Paris.

Bertelli said the New York store is part of Miu Miu’s development strategy, which planned 10 store openings for the second half of the year. That plan has remained in place despite the global recession.

Miu Miu is also reviewing its wholesale clients to make sure they continue to match the brand’s positioning.