Bangalore-based FFI invests in Marithé & François Girbaud

French fashion label Marithé & François Girbaud best

known for its jeans collection has finally found an investor. After a year long hunt, Indian company Fibres & Fabrics Internation (FFI) headed by Anupam Kothari has now been signed up to invest in Marithé & François Girbaud. FFI will be its worldwide master licensee (excluding countries and products already under license). It may be recalled that Marithé & François Girbaud was forced to apply for deferment of payment last week and was placed under supervision of the court. With the latest deal, Marithé & François Girbaud will be able to concentrate more on particular areas of expertise. Founders Marithé Bachellerie, François Girbaud and their son Olivier Bachellerie will remain owners and have creative control of the company. The deal will also enable them to focus on design and communication activities as well as the retail development plan.

The agreement which takes effect with the production of the Winter 2012/13 season is for a duration of 15 years and concerns the production and distribution of the men and women’s designer lines, which will continue to be “Made in Italy” at the facilities based in Florence. The deal also says that the production and distribution of the line “Le Jean de Marithé François Girbaud” will be run from the Bangalore office and sourced globally. The deal also ensures the continuation and development of retail business plans with the opening of the London store in July 2012 (New Bond Street) and a second phase which will focus on the emerging markets and the already planned opening of 30 stores in China within three years.

Once known as the pioneer in denim, Marithé & François Girbaud brand generates annual sales estimated at €200 m. In 2010, impacted by economic meltdown, the company on an average exchange had posted consolidated sales of only €100 million or $132.7 million. Marithé and François Girbaud, operates more than a dozen stores in France and Europe while it has a presence in about 2,000 multi-brand outlets worldwide. FFI, which is based in Bangalore and run by Anupam Kothari, produces approximately 10 million pairs of jeans annually.