SUCCESS STORY

Extrovert, Original, Genuine, a bit of a Rebel…

 

That is just like MADO ET LES AUTRES

 
Originally, there was a teacher who decided to leave teaching to devote herself to her passion, the TRUE passion, the passion which had always been her driving force, the passion which enabled her to express herself: FASHION. Christiane VILLARD, with an extensive and atypical wardrobe, was growing up and was getting bored in the heart of the Roanne area, this old spinning (silk and cotton weaving) area. Having for a very long time designed outfits for herself and her close friends, she loved and promoted a characterful, free style, which was like her. Ample, soft lines, easy-going materials, an original style, colours on a black background, flexible and layerable outfits, a proud look, an Arty side…

 

It was in the family that the adventure began and gained pace. Christiane VILLARD decided to open with her brother, in the 1990s, one, then two...then several Mado Marcel ready-to-wear boutiques.

From being retailers, the family business gradually moved towards the design and manufacture of all its items. Marie-Laure and Thomas, the designer’s children, joined the business. The style established itself, the Mado et les Autres brand was launched.

 

Mado was the grandmother, the figurehead of the family, an affectionate, respectful nod in her direction for this clear success which developed within one decade. A one-off story for one-off fashion. Feminine, creative, both urban and relaxed, subtly atypical and original fashion.

Today, over 650 retail outlets distribute the Mado et les Autres brand in France and around the world. The family Group thus built up within a short time became the flagship of the regional textile industry. In 2009, the family sold its Group to Bernard LEONETTI and Caroline DOUILLET, a couple from the world of ready-to-wear and fashion, who have a real ambition for this charming Brand.

 

Within a few months, the new Mado et les Autres team was to open up to the World by being distributed from now on in 14 countries, including the USA and CANADA. The number of resellers had doubled by the end of 2010, increasing from 600 to 1,200 retail outlets.

 

The collections are also growing by opening up to new universes of materials, shapes and colours, propelling the brand to never-before-reached levels of growth in 2011.

 

Finally, the number of brand boutiques increased, from 33 to over 40, within a short space of time, thanks to the creation of the Affiliation concepts.

 

Love at first sight and a success which the new directors like to share with all the Mado et les Autres team and « addicts ».