MILAN — Jean Paul Gaultier is rolling out a new streetwear line for both men and women to bow in June for spring 2014 under a new licensing agreement with Ittierre SpA. The Italian clothing manufacturer will also produce the designer’s signature men’s wear line starting with the fall 2013 season, to be presented in Paris on Jan. 17.
Gibò SpA and Jean Paul Gaultier SA in October inked a license for the production and distribution of the designer’s women’s top line starting with next fall. Gibò took the license over from Aeffe.
Ittierre’s general director Alessandro Locatelli said he was pleased to be working “with one of the most well-respected groups in the world” — Puig, which took control of Gaultier’s business last year — and one of the “most relevant fashion designers ever, with a global appeal.”
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The new streetwear line, the name of which has yet to be disclosed, will be produced under a five-plus-five year agreement and Locatelli defined it as “close to the history of Ittierre and to the consumer” and said that the line will express Gaultier’s “sartorial” style. Famous for taking inspiration from the street and popular music, Gaultier has a history of second lines targeting a younger clientele with more casual styles.
These include Junior Gaultier, launched in 1988; Gaultier Jeans, launched in 1992 and later named Jeans Paul Gaultier, and Gaultier Puissance 2 (Gaultier to the Power of 2).
Ittierre has over the years produced and distributed young collections for brands including Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli and Costume National. Antonio Bianchi, who also owns Albisetti SpA, took control of Ittierre last year and has since been growing its portfolio of brands with new licenses including Aquascutum, Pierre Balmain, Karl Lagerfeld Paris and Tommy Hilfiger Collection. “This newly acquired license confirms our desire to work with leading world players in fashion,” said Locatelli.
The Gaultier lines will be distributed around the world, targeting countries with the most potential. Locatelli said he expects “at least 500 clients” to carry the streetwear line in the first year, and for Italy and Asia-Pacific to represent 30 and 20 percent of sales, respectively. Last week, Ittierre launched a new online store, called Hit Gallery, which targets 35 countries in Europe and the former Soviet Union, which carries all brands produced by the company.
“We close the 24-month cycle [since the acquisition of Ittierre] with enormous satisfaction,” said Locatelli.