The Commercial Court of Paris held a new hearing November 17 to discuss the takeover bids of the fashion house Christian Lacroix, in receivership, it was learned from participants in the Hearing of Tuesday, October 27.
“It is a matter that is postponed until November 17, there are procedural delays,” said Marie-Laure Bonaldi-Nut, lawyer with Francis & Associates, a sheikh representing the emirate of Ajman, candidate resumption of the fashion house.
“The court refused to consider disposal plan before considering the plan of reorganization” for which a procedural deadline expires November 16, said the administrator Regis Valliot. “It’s just a procedural problem,” he added, “November 17, it will examine both.
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According to the CEO’s house Christian Lacroix, Nicolas Topiol, the new hearing was set “at the request of all parties.”
According to Regis Valliot administrator, “there is not much suspense. It is “likely that the Commercial Court of Paris retains this offer since it meets the three criteria established by law: the maintenance of activity, safeguarding employment and discharge of liabilities,” he told AFP.
This offer will be confronted with offers distinct but complementary Financière Saint Germain (Ed.: Haviland, Daum, Lalique) and Bernard Krief Consulting (BKC), it was recalled Monday to firm administrator. The Italian Borletti withdrew after a summer of negotiations.
The UAE offers, which emanates from Sheikh Hassan bin Ali al-Naimi, a relative of the ruling family of the emirate of Ajman Emirate small member of the federation of the UAE, provides an overall budget of 100 million euros for the discharge of liabilities, losses expected to restart the brand and its development, stated Mr. Valliot and Diane Francis, lawyer with Francis & Associates, representing the sheik.
According to Christian Lacroix, Sheikh is already involved in luxury department stores via New York Saks and Barneys.
Ownership since 2005 of the American group falice, specializes in duty free, the house Christian Lacroix recorded last year ten million euros in losses for a turnover of 30 million euros. It currently has 105 employees.
According to Christian Lacroix, the project he is associated would develop activities beyond the haute couture and ready-to-wear luxury. He envisages “a common seam where the join design” but “the scheme is to define precisely,” he told AFP.
In recent years, Christian Lacroix has been particularly designer for Tramway Montpellier, TGV-Est and hotels. He said he had “had enough frequent propositions” on yachts and jets but was a little high “and” I’m not equipped, “he added.
BKC has not said its last word. It is “very likely” that Sheikh wins if he is “very far with its offer and has indicated that funding,” he admitted Monday the CEO of BKC, Louis Petiet. But “if this is not the case, there is a French offer to a world leader in high luxury.
In the “aggregate supply” of BKC, Financial would buy the claws and operation of most licenses, and BKC ensure the development of haute couture and ready-to-wear. The staff could “go from 105 people to 300″ in five years, says Petiet specifying providing Friday afternoon “additional documents” on its bid.
In early October, BKC had “not always justified its means of financing”, as the administrator.
Christian Lacroix for his part wants cautious. “We’re still not safe from a nasty surprise,” he said. But he says one thing is certain: if the offer is chosen UAE, home, sleep for the fashion show in July, will resume its activities “in an hour.