The company would be valued 50 million euros

Paule Ka, the mark of high range known for its small dresses ready-to-wear evening, prepares a restructuring of its capital. The Caisse des Dépôts, which owns 17 since 2007 through a CDC enterprises Fund, seeks out no later than one year and a half. Epaulée Credit Switzerland teams, Paule Ka management wants this opportunity through a new cap. "We are open to all proposals, including the arrival of an investor with a higher participation, which will help us accelerate the development", explains Serge Cajfinger, who founded the claw twenty-three years ago. In any case, her family intends to preserve the majority. The company would be valued 50 million euros.

A new phase Paule Ka wants to accelerate the opening of stores owned by own. The brand has eight to date (Paris, London, Brussels, Cannes), which must be added seven stores to its sign in partnership (Toulouse, Maastricht, Hong Kong...). She took foot last year by doing Singapore, Kuwait or Dubai. It is also sold in 365 multi-brand outlets in the world. The last launch of an own store and back to 2008 on the Croisette in Cannes. Since this openness, and that of its flagship rue Saint Honoré in Paris four years ago, the company is almost entirely désendettée.

For 2011, we project two to four shops in us", says Serge Cajfinger.

Despite the crisis, the brand successfully to advance its sales by 6 to 34.3 million (year ended late July) and to bring its net result to about 10 of sales. "We chose tear last year to 1.5 million euros of orders for which we have no assurance of payment, including Spain and England, says Antoine Bing, Deputy Director General.". We have already recovered half of them.

The company has at the same time reduced its costs by about 10, by maintaining a constant strength (140 employees). "I gathered all the House at the beginning of the crisis, explaining that we were not protected, and that each had to be creative to make economies", details Serge Cajfinger. Thus, the use of the acting has been removed and refitted the planning of work. Discussions with providers enabled for better conditions. "I love the crisis because they wake up a more combative spirit," says the leader, a bit provocative. Even the collections have been adjusted in this difficult context, with products cheaper to retain the customer. "A pull to 290 euros instead of 320 euros, this changes everything", provides the pattern.

The order book is distributed upward. "For the summer 2011, they soared by 20 compared to the summer 2010, said Antoine Bing." We already have hundreds of new customers, and enter five countries such as the Norway and the Brazil. "While Paule Ka makes 55 of its sales to the export (Europe, Japan...), the House implementation priority this year on China and the United States. Present in 30 luxury outlets across the Atlantic, it wants to open a boutique in New York.

In terms of products, the big news this year will be output, this summer, solar and optical glasses scratched Paule Ka, and manufactured by the Amy group. These accessories will add bags and shoes, weighing in total 12 of net sales.