Vicomte A to open first U.S. stores

By

Jean-Paul Leroy

Published
Oct 1, 2013

French brand Vicomte A is ramping up international expansion with two planned store openings in the United States this November.

A franchised store is set to open at 638 Collins Avenue in Miami, in partnership with N&M Investment Group USA, a company led by Nicolas Thorin and Marine Lesguer. The store – measuring 100m² - will be situated between UGG and Intermix.

The brand’s founder, Arthur de Soultrait, was able to use family connections to secure commercial real estate in the U.S. His brother, Bertand de Soultrait, is a retail broker in the United States and has already helped French brands Sushi Shop and Carré d’artistes make the leap across the pond.

A second store, this time run by the brand’s U.S branch, will open on Bleecker Street in New York, also in November.

The brand also has plans to re-establish its London franchise in order to reinforce its brand image in the British market. Englishman James Harvey-Kelly currently heads up design at the brand.

Vicomte A reported turnover of 16 million euros in 2012, with exports accounting for around 20% of its business. The aim is to push this up to 30% as quickly as possible.