2024-09 - SMCP

1

Global News

After India, SMCP is continuing its international expansion, entering Indonesia and the Philippines

Following the announcement of its expansion into India over a year ago, SMCP is delighted to announce the signing of two new distribution partnerships with SSI Group (Philippines) and MAP Group (Indonesia).
SMCP has already opened its first SANDRO Indonesian store in Jakarta (Plaza Senayan). In the Philippines, it plans to open four shops in Greenbelt and Central Square, two key districts of metropolitan Manila, as well as 3 corners in the Rustan’s Makati department stores. Other openings in the most prestigious shopping malls in these two countries are planned over the next five years.
These two partnerships confirm the Group’s ambition to accelerate its brands’ expansion into regions with strong growth potential.

2

Sustainability Projects

1 - SMCPlanet

SMCP partners with VELA, a 100% wind-powered maritime transport solution with 100% sail propulsion

SMCP is partnering with VELA – Sail For Goods to transport Sandro and Maje products from France to the United States.
With 100% wind-powered propulsion, VELA has succeeded in adapting technology from ocean racing boats to the modern needs of freight transport. One of the greatest French sailors, François Gabart, holder of the solo round-the-world record and winner of the Vendée Globe, is a co-founder of VELA.
Construction of the trimaran has already begun, and the first transatlantic crossing is scheduled for 2026 – under the French flag!

INTERVIEW SMCP x VELA

Pierre-Arnaud Vallon – Co-founder of VELA

Could you introduce yourself?
I am an engineer by training, and before getting into impact entrepreneurship about a decade ago, I used to work at Decathlon and Chanel.
Aware of the need to fight climate change, we founded VELA with the believe that the wind is an extremely efficient and unlimited source of energy that could help decarbonize maritime transport. For me, transportation is not just a question of logistics. Rather, it’s an invisible thread connecting peoples and cultures. We are resolutely committed to reducing our environmental and social impact, and VELA embodies this idea by reinventing maritime transport using the power of wind.

How did this project come about? What is the ambition?
The VELA project was born of a vision: to transform international transport, making it not only more sustainable, but also more competitive. In the face of environmental challenges and massive CO₂ emissions caused by the transport industry, we wanted to offer a radically different alternative based on an unlimited resource: the wind. Our idea consisted of transferring technology from ocean racing, while adapting it to the modern needs of freight transport.

Our ambition is clear: to provide a fast, reliable, secure, and sustainable maritime transport service, starting with the Europe-U.S. transatlantic route. Eventually, VELA hopes to expand its model to other commercial routes and to become a key player in massively reducing the cartoon footprint of international transport. We believe that this transition is both necessary and inevitable in the sector’s future.

What are the next steps in the construction of the boat?
We officially kicked off construction of our first vessel in July, embarking on a wonderful industrial challenge. We are proud to be building what will be the world’s biggest and only wind-powered trimaran. This project has brought together a global network of French and international industry partners around the joint vision of reinventing maritime transport.
As for the timeline, technical preparations are currently underway. The first cutting operations of materials will begin early next year. The ship’s hull is expected to be completed by the second half of 2025. Next, assembly of the masts and sails, which make up the backbone of the propulsion system, will take place in early 2026, and the first boat will be delivered in mid-2026.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 600 pallets, making the services we offer competitive. We have already planned to launch four other trimarans in the coming years to be able to guarantee weekly departures between Europe and the U.S. By 2028.

Do you consider the fashion industry to be a promising market for VELA?
Definitely! The fashion industry is undergoing a transformation, and it is a market with strong momentum for VELA. Many brands such as SMCP are paving the way, working with us as our first clients. Their actions reflect a courageous commitment to linking performance with sustainability.
The fashion industry, which is already making great efforts to address the environmental and social impact of its production, is starting to recognize the importance of also decreasing the carbon footprint of transport. As a major client of air freight, fashion can find a perfect alternative in VELA: a balance between rapid transport and decarbonized maritime transport, while also ensuring resilience. We are very proud of SMCP’s support for us. Thank you and welcome aboard!

Damien Pellé, CSR and Corporate Communication Director – SMCP

How did you hear about the VELA project?

Vincent Breaud, Production Director at Sandro, put us in touch with VELA over a year ago. The project, which appeared a bit idealistic to us at first, soon turned out to be extremely promising, and attracted the interest of the Maje teams and of the Group’s Supply Chain senior management. We had to revise multiple internal processes to adapt to the characteristics of wind-powered transport, but the will to get there pushed us to devise solutions together.

How does this partnership fit in with the Group’s CSR strategy more broadly?
Reducing our CO2 emissions by 36% between 2022 and 2030 is one of the priorities of the Group’s CSR strategy. To do this, we must address two major areas that account for 85% of our emissions: product manufacturing (materials, energy consumed by suppliers, etc.) and transport. Since air freight accounts for 93% of transport carbon emissions, replacing it with maritime transport is an important priority. We have already made great progress in significantly reducing the share of air transport in transport flows between suppliers and warehouses. We must now tackle the transport flows between our warehouses in Marly-la-ville, the U.S. and Asia, which are predominantly shipped by air. The transatlantic transport services provided by VELA fit into this policy framework. It’s worth noting that wind-powered transport is comparable to motor freighters in terms of transit time thanks to the speed of the VELA boat and the shorter loading and unloading times of the ship in smaller ports.

Inès Muguruza, Transformation and Supply Chain Director – SMCP

What inspired you to support the VELA project?
This project began shortly after I took over the transport division, and I was immediately attracted by VELA’s vision. They offer a real alternative to conventional freight, with a wind-powered transport solution that is ecofriendly while also accounting for operational requirements. What’s particularly important in our sector, in retail fashion, is their ability to guarantee reliable delivery schedules, which is key for us. The ease of communication with the team, their personal experiences that are perfectly aligned with the project, and their energy and will to change things were all deciding factors. I felt like we could trust them, and this is why here at SMCP we decided to set off on this adventure from its very start.

How are we currently shipping our products to the United States?
We have two main routes which we use for shipping to the U.S. From our suppliers’ factories to New Jersey, about 50% of our products are transported by sea. However, we are currently using only air transport for products originating in our warehouse in France. That being said, Sandro will begin using maritime transport on this route in October.

2 - SMCProduct

SANDRO Secondhand is coming to stores!

In late March, SANDRO launched its SANDRO Secondhand program at an initial selection of 15 boutiques in France. It allows clients to have their SANDRO pieces authenticated, checked and returned in exchange for a coupon that can be used online or in store immediately.
Almost 2,000 pieces have been given a second life thanks to this program. Building on this success, and firmly believing in the staying power of collections beyond the seasons for which they had been designed, SANDRO has recently expanded the program to 17 new boutiques in France, five in Spain, four in Germany and one in the Netherlands.

Discover SANDRO Secondhand

3- SMCPeople

Passionate entrepreneurs celebrate the Olympics in Paris !

This year, Paris hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, giving the Group a chance to rally its teams around the unifying values of sport!

SANDRO organized the SANDROLYMPICS this summer for its Parisian retail teams. These consisted of a two-week challenge in multiple disciplines: performance, client experience, and even a quiz on sports culture and a team photo challenge. So many areas in which the teams had a chance to shine. Congratulations to the Champs-Elysées boutique on their amazing team photo!

In line with its Diversity and Inclusion policy, SMCP also wanted to highlight the Paralympic Games and the importance of accessibility in sports for people with disabilities through a game contest for employees in Paris, at HQ, in boutiques and logistics. Two of them were lucky enough to win tickets to discover two Paralympic disciplines: wheelchair basketball and para-athletics!

European Heritage Days x SANDRO

Promoting equal opportunities and the transmission of know-how in the fashion industry are of paramount importance for SANDRO. This commitment is deep rooted in the personal history of Evelyne Chetrite, Founder and Artistic Director of SANDRO.

To mark European Heritage Days, SANDRO donated €1 for every item sold in Europe, online and in stores to promote equal opportunities and preserve young creative talent.
The amount collected was donated to non-profit organizations such as the Fonds de Dotation Maison Mode Méditerranée. This collaboration was inspired by shared roots and aims to put the spotlight back on Mediterranean heritage, know-how and traditions.

SMCP Asia Commemorates the Mid-Autumn Festival with a Successful Charity Auction

In September 2024, SMCP China commemorated the Mid-Autumn Festival, blending cultural celebration with philanthropic efforts to reinforce our ongoing commitment to social responsibility.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally a time for familial reunion and reflection, symbolized by the full moon as a beacon of togetherness, fortune, health, and prosperity.
The celebration this year was a testament to these values, featuring a vibrant gathering and charity art auction that fostered unity and community involvement. The auction featured artwork donated by autistic children supported by WABC (World of Art Brut Culture), with proceeds going to charity.
Moreover, the celebration underscored one of the Group foundational values—Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). It highlighted our shared values and unique differences, which are vital to the vibrancy and diversity that define SMCP.

3

Creative Update

1 - SANDRO

SANDRO unveils its Fall-Winter 2024 Campaign

SANDRO’s creative teams, in collaboration with Joe McKenna and Jonathan Frantini, develop the season’ s image. Penelope Ternes and Joseph Uyttenhove embody the Autumn-Winter 2024 collection. The brand reconnects with Paris, drawing inspiration from the city’ s energy.

For the Fall-Winter 2024 season, the SANDRO women’s design studio is reappropriating and revisiting the codes of the uniform. Bourgeois, formal or more institutional, the aesthetic archetypes are rethought and transformed to define a non-conformist uniform. Jeans are worked in raw denim, and carpenter trousers are reinterpreted as feminine shorts. The pleated skirts and twisted knits of the college years are revisited. Tailoring is imagined in an oversized cargo version with multifunctional pockets on suits. Falsely worn leather pieces, such as an aviator jacket, testify to the design studio’s attachment to a certain idea of authenticity. The studio has also revisited some of SANDRO’s signatures: the star is worked in jacquard, the cable jumper is designed with a pleated back, and the marinière and flame jeans come in new variations.

For men, the SANDRO studio confronts materials together. A zipped shepherd’s vest in ecru shearling straight out of a sheep fold, a cognac leather overcoat, flared trousers and loose-fitting thermos-fused denim – the look is almost hippy, but sharp. The collection features black, navy, brown and grey tones that express the SANDRO look. There’s no extravagance, either in the cuts or the patterns, but particular attention to the fluidity of materials and cuts, as evidenced by a range of warm wool suits and Italian cashmere or yak knit jumpers.

SANDRO at the 81st annual Venice International Film Festival

Antonio Banderas
Alex Di Giorgio
Chiara Francini
Elisabetta Pellini
Giorgio Belli
Jun Ichikawa
Martina Lacomelli
Matteo Robert
Matteo Santorum

2 - MAJE

Maje Fall-Winter 2024 Campaign

A free spirit, the Maje woman defies conventions with her irreverent elegance. To embody this mood and the season’s vibe, the House has chosen Nora Attal as the face of the Fall/Winter 2024 campaign, a true icon of freedom with a striking presence. In the vibrant streets of Paris, the most stylish model of the moment brings the new collection to life in an urban atmosphere, deeply rooted in the brand’s heritage.
Inspired by the woman who has always been a muse to Judith Milgrom, the autumn-winter wardrobe is unveiled as versatile and timeless. Composed of iconic pieces of Parisian chic, the collection showcases impeccable cuts and elevated style: the perfect light jeans, a military jacket, a white knit, a cool faux fur, and flawless black trousers akin to a draped dress. The ensemble is adorned with sequins and accessories of relaxed sophistication, an unmistakable signature of Maje. This winter, once again, the free-spirited and bold Maje woman continues to write her story through a wardrobe that transcends the seasons.

3 – CLAUDIE PIERLOT

Fall Winter 2024 wardrobe by Claudie Pierlot

For the Fall-Winter 2024 season, Claudie Pierlot invites you into your ideal wardrobe.

A space both for storage and play, a place of joy and life, we have designed this wardrobe in the image of our founder: inspired and bright.
Complete, you will find all the essential pieces for a wardrobe, composed of brand faithful archetypes, in a reinterpreted form. The Claudie Pierlot approach is sincere: starting from familiar models to better rework them, revive them, until their full flourishing.
Our Fall-Winter 2024 collection accompanies and approves of you; as inclined to tell its own story as to highlight yours. This collection becomes what you make of it.
The season begins under happy auspices. Thick wool and fine knit alternate in a palette of autumnal colors, to which is added an iconic bi-material trench for this late season. Blue asserts itself as a second wind and dresses a reimagined tartan babydoll. A pea coat or a long purple coat propose to accompany a vibrant twin-set, as pronounced as a flower in the snow, while the cape and bomber surprise and redefine the silhouette of the House.

4 - FURSAC

FURSAC Fall-Winter 2024 Campaign

It’s game night in the north of France. The smell of chips and warm beer fills the air. The fans’ chanting gives way to a roar of guitars spilling over from a nearby open-air rock concert. The home supporters are all decked out in their team’s colours, worn with anything from jeans to a suit. This is football’s unifying power. The diversity of styles on display in the stands inspired FURSAC creative director Gauthier Borsarello to create this autumn-winter ‘24/’25 collection where style is a team sport. A theme in keeping with FURSAC’s history when the brand dressed the French football team in the ‘80s.

This season’s FURSAC man – embodied in the collection lookbook by an eclectic mix of street casting, professional models and special guest British musician and singer Miles Kane – tours Paris, the north of France and Manchester and the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Statement garments designed and made to become tomorrow’s vintage, retaining a sense of timelessness as they journey through the years.

Paris – August ’24 captured by Goldie Williams

The Grands Boulevards have been the place to see and be seen for decades. The energetic center of Paris where fashion is an art de vivre. Comfortably sitting at the iconic round tables of Parisian cafés or strolling down the sunny streets of the city of lights, let’s enjoy the summer finally showing up – always in style.

“The Leisure Shoe”

Inspired by original German army trainers from Gauthier Borsarello’s archives and modernized in a Futsal spirit, the new Fursac sneakers are the perfect addition to any casual silhouette. Available in the two original colors, black (formerly the trainers’ ones) and white (the soldiers’ version), this timeless style plays on a thicker rubber sole for more volume and comfort. So, ready to turn it loose?