The move had been expected as the brand now has an international reach. Starting early December, Repetto will launch its first ready-to-wear line designed by Emilie Luc-Duc, artistic director at Rodier and veteran of Vanessa Bruno, Dior Baby and Anne-Valérie Hash. The collection will feature 20 styles for a total of 80 versions, expanding on the brand's other sectors of shoes and leather goods.

CEO Jean-Marc Gaucher's objective is to set up distribution in a network of own brand retail stores (60 by the end of the year) and corners in department stores. "That is why we needed a sufficient number of items," said Jean-Marc Gaucher.

The look will be consistent with the current codes of the brand whose origins are in the world of dance. "The materials are important," said the Repetto CEO. "Such as the colors. There will not be any prints, for example." The line is being manufactured in Italy and France, with retail prices ranging between 250 and 350 euros.

In the gloomy economic atmosphere, Repetto announced an expected 20% increase in its turnover for this year. Exports now represent more than 50% of sales. Except for one French store opening in Aix en Provence in December, the other new own brand stores are located abroad, mainly in the Middle East, the Philippines, Japan, where the brand already has 20 units, Korea (two new stores in addition to the existing seven) and Hong Kong (two new storefronts in addition to the existing two). A corner of some 30 square meters will open this October in the KaDeWe department store in Berlin. In 2013, Repetto will begin its expansion into China through its first store in Shanghai together with a partner.


Jean-Paul Leroy (with Elena Passeri)