Pierre Mantoux fashion relaunches abroad and seeks a partner for the production of luxury socks – Corriere.it

Understand how to make women’s stockings. “The gusset should be made of cotton, but bi-elastic, with stretch on both sides, otherwise it will pull on the leg and cause discomfort. And I sew the tip rounded, by hand, as my father did, because it covers the fingers well, I need a special thread. I take care of every detail.” Patrizia Giangrossi is President and Managing Director of Pierre Mantoux. He has clients such as Gucci and Prada, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana. She wore Lady Diana’s legs by Sharon Stone. when he modeled for Valentino. With a store in Via Solferino in Milan, a store in Rinascente and Coin, as well as in the capital Milan and other Italian squares from Bergamo to Rome, the Milanese company last year he celebrated his 90th birthday and its first market is Japan, followed by Europe. The company expects sales to grow overseas, as well as e-commerce, following the launch of its new website in early September. He also needs a financial partner.

From Switzerland to Japan.

“We are looking for a minority partner for international expansion.

says Giangrossi, who is also president of the lingerie, socks and beachwear section of Sistema Moda Italia and Assolombarda’s representative in Confindustria. The brand is strong, there is a clientele of large groups. And after the season of bare legs, stylists are rediscovering women’s stockings.” A relaunch plan was recently launched. TO”We are considering opening direct stores in Japan, Benelux, Switzerland and Italy in Rome and Florence. – says the general director. Not in France, because it has closed like a hedgehog, it is very difficult to get there. In Germany we could grow in luxury shopping centers such as KaDeWe, in Europe the logic is the same. I would like 2024 to be a turning point year.we must respond to the decline in gross domestic product.”

Online goals

Giangrossi wants it five times e-commerce. “Before Covid, it wasn’t even 5%,” he says. We want to get to 25% within two years.” This is restoration. “We made some mistakes,” says the CEO, “due to the pandemic we waited too long to move to e-commerce. We didn’t take advantage of the explosive growth in sales.” Pierre Mantoux, who has been outsourcing production to select and independent contractors for about a decade, is conflicted about being a well-known brand with revenues slumping to 3 million in 2022 (and a profitable balance sheet). TO”We estimate that we will grow to 4 million this year,” he explains, “but the bottom line should also grow. and this is achieved not by cuts, but by launching an objective plan for employees.”

Change of sign

The Pierre Mantoux brand was chosen in 1984 when the company transformed from a wholesaler to a retailer. It replaced the old Ilkat, the Lombard hosiery industry, because “French names were used.” Founded in 1932 by Ottorino Giangrossi, Patrizia’s grandfather, it has been led since the late 90s by this outspoken entrepreneur, who inherited the company from her father Remo. With daughters Costanza (formerly Bocconi, works at Style) and Chiara Ferraris (degree in economics from Cattolica). – third daughter Laurentia is a doctor). “It’s a women’s company,” says the entrepreneur, and she also means ownership, given that Pierre Mantoux is 51% owned by her and 20% each by Costanza and Chiara. “I still have a nightmare,” says the CEO, “when there was a line of suppliers who came to see who took the boss’s place. I was lucky to have great employees.”

Area

Since the return of sheer tights to fashion shows (like Miu Miu last spring) recovery of the women’s hosiery sector is expected, which, however, must be based on quality, says Giangrossi. “The sock district in Castelgoffredo is alive, but it works too hard on quantity,” notes the entrepreneur. We need to focus on the Made in Italy supply chain and quality products.” Another tool remains diversification at points of sale, for example with i swimwear, “an ever-growing market in Italy”.TO”.