Swiss group Lalique is set to acquire Fabric Frontline, a manufacturer of high-end silk accessories. The owner of the famous French crystal maker is reporting strong half-year sales growth.
Lalique has announced the acquisition of Fabric Frontline, which specializes in high-end silk accessories, including scarves. The group was founded by Andi Stutz and her two sisters in 1980 in Zurich. At its peak, the company collaborated with houses such as Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Nina Ricci and Vivienne Westwood. In addition to the eponymous brand, Lalique also owns Parfums Grès, Bentley Fragrances, Jaguar Fragrances and Ultra Sun (suncare products).
Fabric Frontline had been acquired in 2012 by Swiss silk trading company Trudel Fashion. But the latter had announced in June that it would shut down Fabric Frontline’s operations if no other solution could be found.
That’s where Lalique Group comes in, deciding to take over the business. For future distribution, Lalique will rely on its own internal and external channels. The first collection will be marketed in spring 2024. The group intends to turn the company around via synergies with the group’s other brands as it had already done in 2015 with the crystal factory. But it also intends to diversify its outlets by opening up to furniture textiles.
A good performance
The Lalique group, which specializes in the creation and global distribution of luxury products, performed well in the first half of 2022.
Its operating income increased by 29% to 83.2 million euros, a level well above that of the previous year. 83.2 million, a level significantly higher than before the pandemic. However, this includes one-time income of 1.7 million euros in the Lalique segment, related to legal proceedings in France that lasted several years and have now been finally closed.
Its consolidated net income amounted to 4.6 million euros, compared with 3.1 million euros in the first half of 2021.
Sales in the crystal business increased by 29% compared to the same period of the previous year, and those of Lalique Parfums by 13%.
For the second half of 2022, Lalique Group expects a positive trend, although the expected growth rate is lower than in the first half.
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Featured photo : © Lalique
