November 22
Magazine #11

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

In the blink of an eye, the end of the year is already coming. This is already our last newsletter for 2022! It has been an exciting, challenging, and successful year both for the stores and for the major projects we’ve implemented. We also made strong progress through our 3 Sustainability pillars, we had beautiful openings and collections more inspiring & desirable than ever !

Now is also a crucial period for our retail business before the end of the year. We wish our Retail teams a lot of success in continuing to make our Brands shine with great sales!

While reading this newsletter, we suggest that you listen to the Jazz playlist created by SANDRO for November for an even better experience, click here!

1

Global News

2 – Olivier Germain is appointed as CEO of Claudie Pierlot

We are delighted with the arrival of Olivier Germain as CEO of Claudie Pierlot on November 3rd. Along with this new position, he joins the Executive Committee of SMCP.

During his career in fashion, Olivier has acquired a unique expertise in this industry and has developed a strategic vision and leadership skills which are major assets for the expansion of Claudie Pierlot at a key moment in its history, as the brand will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024.

Olivier Germain joins us after two years at New Guards Group (Off white, Ambush, Palm Angels, Heron Peston…) as Chief Product Officer, and three years at Balmain in the same position.

An ESSEC business school Graduate with a master’s degree in modern literature, Olivier built his career in Merchandising and Retail functions within brands such as Tom Ford, YSL, Dior and Alexander McQueen, with strong focus on product offer and desirability of the brands which he was responsible for. This experience has given him a valuable business perspective, proven leadership skills and a deep understanding of the product.

 

We wish Olivier a lot of pleasure and success in his new role!

2 – SMCP creates its training school, SMCP Retail Lab! 

Let us tell you the story!

This project comes from the 1st SMCP Hackathon organized in November 2021 in Paris. The Hackathon is an event which brings together volunteer attendees from the Group and Brands HQs, for 48 hours, to discuss and to find a solution to a key issue for the Group, in mixed teams.

The topic was: « How to encourage vocations in the Retail sector facing Sustainability challenges? »

At the end of these 48hrs and a memorable series of pitches presented in front of an external and internal jury in Maje Showroom, 2 teams named respectively The Mask and Spiderman won.

Their idea? The creation of our own SMCP training school with the belief that to encourage vocations, the sales assistant job needs to be ‘reenchanted’. How?  By offering an innovative and certifying training within SMCP school: students would acquire omnichannel and Sustainability-based skills for today and tomorrow.

That is how a Project team was created in January of this year, sponsored by Elina Kousourna & Nathalie Malavoy, and made of members coming from different jobs and different brands, as well as business experts (Nora Bellamri, Daylen Moreira, Emilie Thibault, Vincent Martin, Guillaume Blanc, Djamila Affani, Rosianna Charlot, Hélène Saladin, Joachim Fuertes, Romain Chazette, Sandra Laville, Christelle Sanchez).

They have worked hard to create a personalized training program for SMCP with 2 key partners: EMASUP (a training center specialized in fashion and beauty for more than 20 years), and Institut Français de la Mode – French Institute of Fashion (expert in fashion culture, new consumption habits and eco-responsible materials).

 

Today, we are delighted to announce the creation of the training school: SMCP Retail Lab, project in which our founders strongly believe and which is dear to the heart of Isabelle Guichot and her management team!

 

The first batch of 24 students, based in Paris and its surrounding area, will begin their training on January 30th, 2023. This training will last 1 year and will be based on a block release apprenticeship system in our 4 Brands stores.

To recruit applicants, an innovative, modern & inclusive recruitment campaign has been launched in social networks (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, TikTok) and on other channels like LinkedIn, Spotify, Indeed etc.

At the end of this recruitment campaign, the applicants will be invited to join a selection event in the beautiful Showroom of Maje. Several Store Managers and Area Managers from Paris will also attend to help in the recruitment process.

More information to follow in early 2023. Stay tuned!

 

2

Sustainability Culture

1 – Learn about Diversity & Inclusion challenges 

As you know, the challenges related to Diversity & Inclusion are at the heart of our Sustainability pillar #SMCPeople.

It is vital that every employee in the Group is mindful of these issues, completes training and has the right tools to help everyone understand D&I matters, to instill our culture, ethics and values throughout our work.

 

With this in mind, Diversity & Inclusion mandatory training has been launched in Europe, and coming soon in Asia, with the objective to be accessible to all our employees around the world.

For EU employees, we invite you to complete it here.

 

Remember, it is essential that together, we adopt the right behaviors and practices every day.

2 – European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities (EWPD)

 

SMCP joins the European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities which took place from November 14 to 18, aiming at raising employees’ awareness about the work of people with disabilities within the company:

  • Every day, an email was sent to give information about a type of disabilities and its daily challenges: psychological disability, chronic diseases, mental disability, autism spectrum disorders.
  • A Virtual Reality Workshop was offered to the 4 Brands and Global Services HQs, on the theme “How is the workplace as a person with disabilities?”

Moreover, Sandro joined forces with la Maison Perchée to exchange about little-known psychological disabilities. Fanny, affected by a bipolar disorder, came to talk openly and without taboos about her own experience and about how mental disorders can be dealt with in the work environment.

Fursac organized a team-building event to think about challenges linked to disability.

 

We remind you that your HR team is your privileged point of contact if you have any questions or need any help on disability topics within the company. They can support you on questions related to the adaptation of the work environment, support for a declaration of RQTH (Recognition of the Quality of Disabled Worker) or any other information on this subject.

3 – Give a sweeter Christmas by collecting gifts 

For the 4th year, SMCP Sustainability committee, Global Goes Green, organizes a gift-gathering to support the association FXB. It is an NGO which has been fighting against extreme poverty for more than 30 years and helps women living in extreme precarity through community development, education, safety, and health programs. Sandro is a partner in this initiative.

To make Christmas a little sweeter, a gift-gathering for children and mothers will take place from November 28th to December 9th in the HQs.

Maje renews its commitment with Un Cadeau pour la Vie association which aims to improve the life of hospitalized children, by organizing a gifts donation activity.

4 – Training session with the students of Apprentis d’Auteuil

 

SMCP continues its commitment to Apprentis d’Auteuil: Hélène from La School team went to their school to lead a training session for 1st and 2nd year NVQ sales students.

On the program of the training, there were a lot of theoretical workshops and practical applications around the themes of reception and customer approach, presentation, product sales pitch and cross-selling, creation of several outfits around a same piece, and sessions of active listening, speed, talent booster games to stimulate them.

All in a very friendly environment with a lot of positive energy, curiosity, and thirst for learning!

5 – Sandro x Movember

Sandro participates in the Race of Lights which took place on November 19th in Paris and other cities of France. By either walking or running, the participants supported the fight against male cancers, and they all wore a lighting accessory to make the city shine during this special night.

The Brand also organized on November 22nd a webinar to revisit preconceived ideas about male cancers, open to all employees in France from HQ and networks.

6 – Claudie Pierlot & Fursac welcome the newcomers to the Brands

 

At Claudie Pierlot, a special day dedicated to new interns and work-study apprentices was organized for World Interns Day on November 10th, with an exciting schedule: first a breakfast where everyone introduced themselves, then an afternoon around Claudie Pierlot House, a visit to the exhibition “Shocking! Surrealist Worlds of Elsa Schiaparelli” and team games, to end the day with a drink.

At Fursac, an onboarding day was organized to allow the students on block release training from the network to discover the teams and the HQ.

7 – SMCP North America celebrates Halloween!

 

3

Creative Update

1 – SANDRO HOLIDAYS: Let the Magic In

 

For this Holiday season, SANDRO takes us to a secret world that comes to life.

A minimalist universe in a snowy white setting.

This year with SANDRO, our inner child awakes in delight.

 

Celebrate the Holiday Season with style and let yourself be amazed by the magic of SANDRO.

Warm knits, accessories with precious details and a capsule for le grand soir: let us guide you through a selection of iconic pieces that will make this holiday season special.

Let The Magic In.

2 – MAJE

 

  • PARTY TIME 

For the evenings when you don’t want to go completely unnoticed in the room, for the special evenings for which you are looking for the perfect outfit, this is for you: a sequined dress that makes you shine, with femme fatale-style heels and glamourous jewellery. Whether for weddings on the beach or  for your epic moves on the dance floor, Maje is always here for you, behind the scenes, with a sharp and trendy selection of evening outfits for your sleepless nights.

 

  • Phy-Gital Press Day Event

Following its Press Day at Paris Fashion Week, Maje invited editors, agents, influencers and VIPs to a special event to present the Spring-Summer 2023 collection at the Spring Street boutique in New York.

The Brand also offered an exclusive digital experience to its VIPs as well as selected partners and journalists, allowing them to access the collection in the Paris showroom digitally.

This allowed the Brand to spread the word about the upcoming collection from Paris to New York via Shanghai and Hong Kong.

3 – CLAUDIE PIERLOT

 

  • Claudie Pierlot opens its Café Claudie!

From October 31st to November 15th, Café Claudie was set up at the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, in a pop-up located on the 2nd floor in front of the Brand’s corner.

Customers were able to enjoy a warm meeting place while enjoying espressos, americanos and cappuccinos prepared by Lavazza baristas, exclusive partner on the project.

The perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover the Fall-Winter collection!

Café Claudie then moved to the store on Pierre Charron Street to serve new customers.

  • PARISIAN HOLIDAYS

Claudie Pierlot celebrates the holidays with a sparkling wardrobe.

 

ACT 1: THE CLAUDIE PRE-PARTY

Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement.

Some heady music is flowing out from the window of the opposite flat. Piqued by curiosity, the neighbours take a look and see them getting ready to dance until dawn. Who? Vibrant, bubbly, and intriguing women whose appearance reflects an assertive style. A festive atmosphere spreads throughout the Haussmann-styled building, exalting the Claudie Pierlot essentials.

The timeless wardrobe is adorned with sequins, velvet and rhinestones to celebrate the very last days of the year. The blazer dress is accessorized with silver sequins, the asymmetrical top enhances the black leather trousers, and the suit, with a tasseled brooch, is the epitome of the masculine/feminine style.

 

ACT 2: CLAUDIE IS A CELEBRATION

On the balcony, there are two Claudie women. The first, Nami, is dressed in a jumper and skirt set in silver lurex. A VHS video recorder in hand, she captures the moment and the elegant silhouette of Dolores wearing a black jumpsuit.

In the living room, the party’s in full swing! Even between decorations and delicacies, the eye cannot help but linger on the elegance of the guests. The perfect ally for Parisian women, the asymmetrical black dress with pleated ruffles twirls with each dance step. A long dress with a daring bare back makes its entrance, followed by an even dreamier one with glittering star details.

 

ACT 3: THE CLAUDIE AFTER-PARTY

The clock strikes midnight! One more dance, one last bite and a cuddle for the cat before continuing this unforgettable evening in the Paris of true Parisian women.

The Claudie ball continues to delight all fashion lovers, with a dress with ruffles with metallic accents, a matching set of shirt and leather shorts and a short dress, dressing up the girls ready to roam the streets of Paris. Last but not least, the accessories, which transcend our Claudie friends’ style: the iconic silver Anouck bag,  black  sandals with a fringed brooch and a pair of sparkly rhinestone earrings.

4 – FURSAC

  • Private viewing of FURSAC BY DE RRUSIE 

A look back at the launch of the capsule collection designed by painter De Rrusie in the Parisian flagship of Fursac, rue de Richelieu.

This 12-piece collection is De Rrusie‘s first experiment in fashion. It includes a black wool suit designed to be able to create with ease and a dressing gown-style coat made of wool and cashmere. Shirts with straight bottoms, in shades that remind the artist’s creative universe, and printed or long-sleeved honeycomb T-shirts complete the collection, which also includes a silk clutch printed with a painting by the artist.

« De Rrusie is incredibly talented. When he loves something, he tries to understand it and work with it with a high level of expectation of himself. I have great respect for his approach, his way of working and his dedication to a project. For this project, he had carte blanche. He was therefore able to bring his codes, his vision, and his unique taste to the Fursac universe.  »

Gauthier Borsarello,
Fursac Creative Director

4

Digital Elegance

SMCP on Instagram

5

Made with Passion

The Christmas windows are coming!

With Claudie Pierlot, until January 5th, 2023, come and see the Christmas windows of Claudie Pierlot at Printemps Haussmann (Paris) and at Jelmoli (Zurich) with a focus on accessories during November.

On the store front, Advent calendar or Christmas stickers will be put on the windows starting from December 1st. The calendar was created in collaboration with an illustrator who worked on a calendar echoing Claudie Pierlot’s DNA and Haussmann-style buildings.

At Fursac, discover the “GREAT COLD” windows in stores from mid-November to early December with silhouettes in “cold” colors that remind us of the winter.

20 openings & renovation for November!

Bravo to the teams who worked on these projects.

 

SANDRO

  • China – Suzhou Village Outlet 2 (unisex)
  • Netherlands – Batavia Outlet (unisex)
  • Germany – KDW Berlin (woman)
  • US – BLM Aventura (woman)
  • US – BLM CA South Coast Plaza (woman)
  • Spain– ECI Madrid Serrano (man)

 

MAJE

  • France – Montpellier
  • France – Paris Saint Dominique
  • Netherlands – Batavia Outlet
  • US – BLM Tysons Corner
  • US – BLM CA South Coast Plaza
  • US – BLM NYC Riverside Square
  • US – BLM Aventura
  • US – BLM White Plains
  • US – BLM San Francisco
  • US – BLM Los Angeles Century City

 

CLAUDIE PIERLOT

  • France – Paris Francs Bourgeois

 

FURSAC

  • France – Strasbourg
  • France – Printemps Le Chesnay Parly 2
  • Spain – ECI Madrid Serrano