Brussels, 2020 Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux Is the Oldest Fine
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Brussels, 2020 Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux is the oldest fine leather luxury goods company in the world. Since then, la Maison has continued to produce its exceptional creations without interruption. Delvaux is the inventor of the luxury leather handbag: Official Purveyor to the Royal Court of Belgium since 1883, it was the first to officially register a patent for a bag in 1908. After being acquired by First Heritage Brands in 2011, Delvaux flourished internationally. The story behind this long–established company is as fascinating as it is unique, and yet Delvaux was very nearly going to disappear, victim of the growth of the major international brands from France and Italy and a galloping globalisation process. With the greatest respect for the Maison and its roots, we have gone on to develop an ultimate brand with rare style and depth. We do much more than just meet a demand for novelty, as Delvaux proposes extraordinary, timeless leather goods. The combination of modernity, daring design and absolute quality provides our clients with the complete satisfaction lasting well beyond the moment. Delvaux is therefore naturally in tune with the major changes currently taking place in society, the different generations and the mix of both global and local cultures. Since 2011, we have invested significantly in our workshops, people and organisation, creation, as well as the internationalisation of our direct store network, each one of our stores being unique. This enabled us to successfully complete the first stage of our strategy by establishing a major point of reference in luxury. The revenues multiplied by 10. The share of international sales jumped from 3% to 85%. The company is highly profitable, which enables us to invest considerably. 1 In 2020 the strategic direction and execution is set to continue, while we take new steps to digitalise and expand la Maison. We will continue to proudly distinguish ourselves, because we embrace our identity and hold our clients in the highest esteem. We strive to anticipate their desires long before they become obvious. WE ARE BELGlAN, BELGlAN lN EVERY WAY DELVAUX IS AN INVENTOR EXCEPTIONAL, HIGHLY-COVETED HANDBAGS A SECULAR SAVOlR–FAlRE AT THE FOREFRONT OF HERITAGE AND CREATION A CAREFULLY CRAFTED INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH UNPARALLELED STORE CONCEPT & NETWORK 2 WE ARE BELGIAN, BELGlAN lN EVERY WAY Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux was born one year before the Kingdom of Belgium. Indeed, we are neither French nor Italian. Our dynasty is of German origin and we live and work in two languages, French and Flemish. We operate within a Kingdom set in the very heart of Europe, at an intersection of influences and savoir–vivre. A country of contrasts, combining a true penchant for endeavour, quality of life and culture. We wield a good–natured sense of humour. A place where surrealism blossomed. Where radical fashion stands alongside the greatest respect for heritage. Our towns are treasured gems of history and architecture. As official supplier to the Court of Belgium since 1883, we relentlessly strive to share our values and inspiration for all our clients to appreciate. We thus engage in a battle against world standardisation. 3 DELVAUX IS AN INVENTOR Since the end of the 19th century, Delvaux has played an important role in writing the history of fine leather goods. Delvaux participated in the changing lifestyles of the European elite, in particular for women. As women slowly began to achieve recognition for their place and role in society, they also gradually shifted from alms purse towards leather handbags for their daily use. Delvaux thus started producing its first bags around the close of the 19th century. And can be called the inventor of the luxury leather handbag. In fact, in 1908 Delvaux was the first to officially register a patent for a bag. Later, in 1933, Delvaux became the first Maison to create different collections for each season, combining shapes and colours, similar to the way in which Couture houses did at the time. With exceptional mastery, Delvaux constantly breathes new life into its archive collections that boast a legacy of over 3,000 bags. Delvaux can definitely be considered amongst the most emblematic handbag houses. 4 EXCEPTIONAL, HIGHLY-COVETED HANDBAGS Bags designed by Delvaux are timeless and beyond fashion. Even if there is no visible logo, Delvaux bags are instantly recognisable. They stand the test of time and never fail to stimulate emotions with creative, innovative designs. The Delvaux bag is idiosyncratic with very precise and powerful ingredients: - A shape - A construction - An architecture - A leather - A buckle - A closure - An interior Featuring always, the highest quality. The sum of the parts is an object immediately recognisable and sought after although very subtle and with no logo. Delvaux’s success is built on its emblematic, historical bags that have come to be seen as unquestionable international references. Each design represents a major innovation that is developed into its own line and tells a story that develops a rare connivance. Among these very rare assets: - Brillant, 1958 - Tempête, 1967 - Pin, 1972 - Madame, 1977 - Cool Box, 2018 These archetypal bags continuously speak out using new materials and techniques, in response to the challenges the house loves to set itself. Such new styles are also included in limited edition lines that become collector items. Alternatively, these reinterpreted editions may also express a singular Belgian sense of humour that never fails to trigger a smile. Such freedom of creativity is the emblem of the design studio headed by Christina Zeller. 5 A SECULAR SAVOlR–FAlRE AT THE FOREFRONT OF HERITAGE AND CREATION Delvaux has acquired exceptional mastery in designing and manufacturing handbags. Without interruption, Delvaux has been producing and selling bags since its creation in 1829. Working out of its original atelier in Brussels since 1829, and a second workshop located in Bourg Argental in the south of France, Delvaux has increased its workforce from 64 artisans in 2011 to 105 today. In early 2019, Delvaux opened a third workshop in Avoudrey in the east of France. As of today, more than 100 artisans have been trained and production has begun with the help of our current local partner. At full operational capacity, the workshop will be made up of 250 artisans. Since 2011, the total company headcount has risen from 148 to 600. We have made considerable investment in our people by developing their qualifications and creating new positions. By developing our savoir–faire, we are able to create original constructions that form the brand’s distinguished signature. The exceptional, high–quality leathers are sourced from the best tanneries from across France, Italy and the world over. Delvaux has developed its own “Arizona” leather used for the inner linings of its bags, a genuine signature that is the softest to the touch and represents pure indulgence. 6 A CAREFULLY CRAFTED INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH UNPARALLELED STORE CONCEPT & NETWORK Delvaux's international presence has increased significantly. Its international sales now represent 85% of its total sales, up from a mere 3% in 2011. This development has been managed with care and is highly profitable. We have not simply multiplied the number of stores. Our development has been focused on establishing a strong brand identity and opening our own stores in order to provide a tailored product experience and storytelling about the brand and its unique art de vivre. At the end of 2019, Delvaux’s network was comprised of more than 40 boutiques, six of which in Belgium. This first stage was carried out by reasserting the value of our footprint in Belgium, in Antwerp and Brussels, where our boutique “Le 27” is the best example, and by choosing Paris and London as the leading ambassador cities for the brand. In Asia, we first entered in South Korea, which at the time enjoyed a special status as a “Soft Power” epicentre in this part of the world, before stepping up in China and Japan, the two main territories on the continent. We do not operate any wholesale as such, however we have selected a handful of “trendsetter” partners, such as Barneys and 10 Corso Como, to promote our image and brand recognition. Our brand identity is underpinned by the store concept we have developed with the help of the artists Feipel-Bechameil and the Vudafieri studio. This concept draws inspiration and interprets a new take on traditional Flemish furniture to best support our creativity. The concept is also based on the 19th century “Arts Décoratifs” movement, which sought to create objects that are both useful and beautiful. This is the reason why our flagships are decorated with historical pieces of museum quality, Belgian furniture and artwork from the second half of the 19th century, blended with contemporary design. 7 Far from collecting artwork, we strive to use these exceptional pieces for their originally intended function as well as decorative purpose. Our boutiques are different from one another, which is of intrinsic importance to us. They must remain real shops, which in addition create a special connection between the brand, our people and our clients. Locations are key. We want our boutiques in places that are steeped in history and geographical or cultural importance to create a further bond with our clients. In 2020, we are looking to build on this foundation to expand our geographic diversification by opening new boutiques and launching our first official e-boutique allowing to develop a larger network. This is the way that we execute our development in an original manner, with drive, careful thought, integrity, respect and always as a team. Our current success is just a step along the longer journey on which we have embarked.