company profile

C O M PA N Y
P R O F I LE
C O M PAN Y P RO F I LE
MISSION
1
HISTORY
2
MARKETS
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CUSTOMERS
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R E TA I L 7
O U R B R A N D S 1 3 The Mission
TO RESEARCH
DISTRIBUTE
AND ACQUIRE
THE BEST
ORIGINAL
BRANDS
FROM ALL OVER
THE WORLD
ASSURING
THE BEST
WORLDWIDE
POSITIONING
THROUGH
DEDICATED
SHOWROOMS
AND
WP LAVORI IN CORSO
INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE BRANDS GROUP.
ore than three decades ago,
WP Lavori in Corso
established an aesthetic and
business model that has not only brought
them years of success, but has also helped
to define the way in which an entire
generation think about clothing and design.
Of those companies that still maintain a
historical signifcance, only a handful are
noted for their contemporary value; many
have lost their way among changes in
popularity, trend, and influence.
There are, however, those like WP Lavori that
continue to offer something unique to their
customer: a compass to guide in the search
for authenticity, relevance, and quality.
Thanks to the continual research the
company has undertaken, the relationships
they have nurtured, and the visibility and
infuence they have maintained, WP Lavori
in Corso remains as vital and vibrant in
2013, as in 1982; the year of its birth.
1
A SHORT
BIT OF
History
THIRTY YEARS OF RESEARCH IN STYLE
1982
1986
1990
1995
WP Lavori in Corso is established in Bologna
by businessman Giuseppe Calori and his
daughter Cristina, the current president of
the company. Starts to import Desert Sons
and Vanson.
Paraboot celebrates its sales peak, selling
50,000 pairs in one season. Starts to import
American brands Columbia and Filson.
Starts the distribution of Nautica and
Crescent Down Works. Starts to import Khaki
Jungle and Bryant 1991 Starts to import
American `|1shirt brand Hanes.
Acquires the Italian license for B.D. Baggies.
1987
1983
Opens WP Store in Milan. Starts to import
Scottish knitwear brand Inverallan.
Starts to import Vans, Woolrich, and Hawkins.
1988
1984
Starts to import body care brands Kiehls, Key
West Aloe, and Dr. Bronner. Vans celebrates its
sales peak, selling 110,000 pairs in one season.
Launches the Vans apparel collection designed
by Enzo Fusco. Opens WP Store in Florence.
Becomes the first Italian distributor for the
British brand Barbour. Starts to import Paraboot.
1985
Develops two distinct distribution channels:
fashion and casual. The former showcases
innovative designer brands such as Parachute,
Anna Sui, Vivienne Tam, and Stephen Sprouse.
The latter features quality heritage brands
like Miller, Pendleton, and Eagle.
The first WP Store opens in Bologna.
1992
Opens WP Store in Pescara. Starts to import
backpacks by American brand Outdoor
Products. Celebrates tenth anniversary and
publishes the coffee-table book
WP Stories- 10 Years Out of Fashion.
1993
Starts to import Rug Barn, Shady Character,
Ecosport, and ceramics by Fiesta.
1989
1994
Starts to import Villebrequin, London Fog,
and John J. Hardy. Acquires the Italian
distribution rights for B.D. Baggies.
Opens WP Store in Isola d’Elba.
Barbour reaches its peak of sales in Italy.
Starts to import Prison Blues: a social
rehabilitation project involving the convicts at the
Oregon State Penitentiary. Starts to import Rockport.
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1996
Starts to distribute Sperry Top-Sider and
Spiewak. Takes on the Vespa brand under license
from Piaggio to create a lifestyle collection.
1997
Acquires the Italian distribution rights for the
Australian shoe brand Blundstone.
1998
Woolrich celebrates its sales peak, selling
75,000 parkas in one season. Acquires the
European license and distribution rights for
Woolrich John Rich gl Bros. brand.
Launches the first Woolrich John Rich &
Bros. collections for men and women.
1999 Acquires the Italian distribution rights
for Blue l\/larlin. Launches the first Woolrich
John Rich & Bros. collection for children.
A SHORT
BIT OF
History
THIRTY YEARS OF RESEARCH IN STYLE
2000
2006
2009
2011
Opens first European Woolrich flagship store
in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Starts to import
American brands Evidence, NM 70, Vintage
Tees, and Rich Hippie.
Launches the Woolrich Woolen M ills
collection, under the creative direction of
Daiki Suzuki.
Opens WP Stores in Florence, Rome,
Verona, Padua, and Pescara. Appoints Mark
McNairy as new designer of Woolrich
Woolen M ills.
2001
Acquires the B.D. Baggies brand and the
worldwide license and distribution rights
for Woolrich John Rich & Bros.
Launches American distribution company
WP Lavori USA.
Starts to distribute Woolrich John Rich &
Bros. in the United States under WP Lavori
USA, and in Japan with YagiTsusho Ltd.
Launches the Woolrich youth line Penn-Rich
in Italy. Acquires the Avon Celli brand.
Acquires the European distribution rights
for the American brand Save Khaki. Opens
Woolrich store in Stockholm, Sweden.
Opens the first European Beams Plus corners
in WP Stores Milan, Florence, and Bologna.
Starts an exclusive European retail alliance
with Japanese brand Fith. Releases a limited
edition collaboration between Woolrich John
Rich 81 Bros. and Japanese brand Nanamica.
2010
2014
Celebrates Woolrich’s 180th Anniversary
with a book of portraits by American
photographer Douglas Kirkland.
Opens WP Stores in Fliccione and Varese
Opens WP Store in Torino and the first US
WP STORE in Brooklyn
Opens new WP Store on Via della Vigna
Nuova, Florence.
2002
Celebrates twentieth anniversary and
publishes the coffee-table book 20 Years
of Opens the first Italian Barbour store in
Corso Genova, Milan.
2005
Celebrates Woolrich’s 175th anniversary
Opens Woolrich Flagship Store in Forte dei
Marmi, Italy.
2007
2008
Worldwide relaunch of B_D. Baggies, under
the creative direction of David Mullen.
Opens Woolrich Flagship store in Sylt,
Germany. Introduces new research brands
to the WP Store environment: Engineered
Garments, Barena, Nanamica, and Save Khaki.
3
2012
Opens Woolrich stores in London, Munich
Gothenburg, Maastricht and Lille. Opens
WP Store in Genova, Italy. Acquires the
distribution of the British brand Baracuta.
Hosts an event at Pitti Uomo celebrating
the relaunch of the Baracuta brand.
2013
Opens WP Stores in Parma and the first
international WP STORE in Seoul.
Structure
WP LAVORI IN CORSO
BRANCHES
INDUSTRY //
APPAREL & FASHION
DISTRIBUTION
AND LICENSE
OF APPAREL BRAND
WP LAVORI IN CORSO
MILANO HEADQUARTER //
VIA LOMBARDINI 18
TYPE //
PRIVATELY HELD
FOUNDATION //
1982
HEADQUARTER //
VIA DELL’ARCOVEGGIO 59/5,
40129 BOLOGNA – ITALY
4
WP LAVORI IN CORSO
EXPORT SALES OFFICE //
VIA AL NIDO 4,
69004 LUGANO
WP USA //
NEW YORK 460
WEST BROADWAY
Markets
3.000 CUSTOMERS WORDWIDE
CANADA
USA
EUROPE
EAST EUROPE
RUSSIA
JAPAN
HONG KONG
KOREA
5
WORLDWIDE
Top Customers
EUROPE
LE BON MARCHE
SELFRIDGE’S
HARROD’S
NK STOCKHOLM
PRINTEMPS
LODEN FREY,
BEYMEN
SARAH GOGGLES
THE BUREAU
THE SHOP AT BLUEBIRD
FLANNELS
OGER
VMC
14OZ.
THERESA
RUSSIA &
EAST EUROPE
TSUM
BOSCO DEI CILIEGI
WEDA
TSVETNOY
SAKS 5th AVENUE (ALMATY)
HELEN MARLEN
SANA HUNT
CULT
YAVA FASHION
FOTT
6
ASIA
USA
ISETAN
MITSUKOSHI
TAKASHIMAYA
BARNEY’S
HANKYU
LANE CRAWFORD
SHINSEGAE
BARNEY’S
BEAMS
NEPENTHES
UNITED ARROWS
SHIPS
BOON THE SHOP
BARNEY’S
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
BLOOMINGDALE’S
BERGDORL GOODMAN
NEIMAN MARCUS
JAKE
RON HERMAN ODINE
EARNEST SEWN
SCOOP
MITCHELLS WESTPORT
WP RETAIL
WP STORE - BOLOGNA - ITALY
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WP Store
WP STORES
WOOLRICH STORES
BARBOUR STORES
BOLOGNA
FIRENZE
TRENTO
RICCIONE
VERONA
PADOVA
PARMA
TORINO
STOCKHOLM
GOTEBORG
SYLT
MAASTRICHT
LONDON
SEOUL
MUNICH
FORTE DEI MARMI
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
MILANO
MILANO
PESCARA
ROMA
ISOLA D’ELBA
VARESE
BROOKLYN
SEOUL
OPENING SOON
HAMBURG
PRAHA
NEW YORK SOHO
TOKYO
8
WP Store
FIRENZE - ITALY
9
WP Store
ROMA - ITALY
10
WP Store
TORINO - ITALY
11
WP Store
BROOKLYN - NEW YORK - USA
12
WP Store
SEUL - SOUTH KOREA
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Woolrich shop - in - shop
MILANO
POGGIBONSI [SI]
LONDON
GÉNÈVE
CASA DELLO SPORT 2
HARROD’S
THE GREAT OUTDOOR MONZA
PASSO CORESE [RI]
PARIS
MUENCHEN
C_P.L. 90
LE BON MARCHÉ
LUDWIG BECK TORINO
ORIO AL SERIO [BG]
STOCKHOLM
MANNHEIM
NEGOZI PELLIZZARI
NK
ENGELHORN MODE ALTE MONTECCHIO [VI]
AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM
RAMONDA SORELLE SPA
ROMA-LUNGHEZZA [RM]
NEGOZI PELLIZZARI
OGER
MAISON DE BONNETERIE
CONEGLIANO [TV]
BRESCIA
LAAX
DEN HAAG
CARNEVALI SPA
FASHION GARAGE
MAISON DE BONNETERIE
TAVAGNACCO [UD]
GALLARATE [VA]
TOKYO
TRONDHEIM
HOYER
LA RINASCENTE
LA RINASCENTE
LA RINASCENTE
BRAVI
ARTENI
CASTELLETTO TICINO [NO]
FREEDOM SRL
GENOVA
GIGLIO BAGNARA SPA
LIVIGNO [SO]
GIID LIVIGNO SRL
BRA’ [CN]
MAGAZZINI MONTELLO
CENTRO COMMERCIALE
RAMONDA SPA
ISETAN
GROSSETO
FAORO
STAVANGER
HOYER
PARIGI
KRISTIANSAND
PRINTEMPS
HOYER SORLANDET
LONDON
SELDFRIDGES
EKATERINBURG
WEDA DAVOS
KIEV
CENTRO CONFEZIONI POLI SRL
CALENZANO [FI]
NENCINI SPORT FA
REANA DEL ROJALE [UD]
RAMONDA ABBIGLIAMENTO
CASTRETTE DI VILLORBA [TV]
RAMONDA TESSILE SPA
ST. MORITZ
BERGWERK 14
HELEN MARLEN
ALMATY
SAKS 5th AVENUE
OSLO
HOYER EGERTORGET
MUNCHEN
LODEN FREY
BRUGGE
VILLA MARIA
STOCKHOLM
DEPARTMENT STORES
EUROPE AB
MOSCOW
TSUM
MOSCOW
TZVETNOY
BR ANDS
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Brands
PORTFOLIO
WP Lavori’s main goal has always been to research, distribute, and license
the best original brands from all over the world.
WOOLRICH JOHN RICH&BROS
worldwide license and distribution
WOOLRICH WOOLEN MILLS
worldwide distribution
WOOLRICH PEN-RICH
italian license and distribution
BARACUTA
Worldwide distribution
BARBOUR
italian distribution
R
BLUNDSTONE
Italian Distribution
PALLADIUM
Italian distribution
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Brands Portfolio
WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS
The history of Woolrich is the history of a
company that started work in 1830 and which
to this day, in the middle of Pennsylvania,
continues to produce fabrics and clothes in a
little village called Woolrich itself. The history
of Woolrich constitutes an extraordinary
contemporary anomaly, one which flies in
the face of the current rules of globalization:
its ability to foster an ongoing relationship
with the local community might appear
anachronistic, but it is also what gives this
company a rare charm and uniqueness.
The Rich family, founders ofWoolrich, provide
the paradigm of that American Dream that
underpins the very identity of the nation.
At the beginning of the 19th century, John
Rich Il, son of an English wool carder, set off
from Liverpool together with other European
emigrants in search of a new life, a new
world, a betterfuture, all based on the greater
freedom, unknown in the Old Continent, that
this burgeoning democracy promised.
In the wake of the Revolutionary War, with
his entrepreneurial spirit he set up a business
that has witnessed a century and a half of
history go by, from the Succession Warto the
Great Depression in ‘29, from the two World
18
Wa rs as well as the post-waryears, marked
by the rise of the ‘American Century’ and the
Cold War.
The company in vertical terms [from sheep
to finished garmentl, rooted in the clothing
needs of the pioneers - above all those
lumberjack and farmers who came face to
face with the raw edge of nature and often
in extreme climactic conditions - via the
conversion of wool for army purposes, and
lastly to the production of outdoor and leisure
apparel, has always been an expression of
the needs - and perhaps the dreams - of
American society. Among the many possible
examples, we might cite the case of the “Arctic
Parka”, the quintessence of the down Parka,
designed for the harshest of temperatures,
as worn by the workers who took part in the
construction of the great Alaskan Pipeline in
the early ‘7Os.
A company that at times of war developed
products for the American Government, also
did so for clients such as LL Bean, Eddie
Bauer, Ralph Lauren [the textbook examples
of US sportswearl, yet always working on
the notion of “products with a purpose, that
perform”.
Brands Portfolio
WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS
In the ‘90s, WP obtained the license fot this
historic brand, with the aim to integrate the
‘made in Woolrich’ products with the Wool
rich JohnRich & Bros collection. Woolrich John
Rich 81 Bros is a total look collection for men,
women and kids.
The Woolrich John Rich and Bros. Collection
touches on Woolrich heritage by incorporating
iconic Americana and its’ historic identity.
The design matrix is inspired by the history
of American clothing, interpreted in a
sophisticated, metropolitan style.
Woolrich John Rich & Bros. is recognized for
its contemporary designs, quality, and du
rability in today’s environment, while staying
true to its DNA. Each Woolrich John Rich
& Bros. collection touches on the Woolrich
heritage by incorporating iconic Americana
and the historic identity taken from the
archives that span over 175 years.
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The design matrix is inspired by the history
of American clothing including military,
utilitarian, and outdoor living interpreted in
a sophisticated metropolitan style. Woolrich
John Rich & Bros. is recognized for its
fashionable designs, quality and durability in
today’s environment, while still staying true
to its DNA. The European success of brand
is recognizable by the iconic arctic parka
phenomenon cherished by international
celebrities.
The Woolrich John Rich 81 Bros. collection
has become a big phenomenon in Europe,
starting from Italy first and then enlarging the
distribution to all the other markets through a
very selective and high-and distribution. The
success of the brand in Europe has prompted
the label to expand distribution worldwide
with a particularfocus on the United States
and Japan.
Brands Portfolio
WOOLRICH WOOLEN MILLS
Stemming from the passion for American
manufacturing tradition, Woolrich Woolen Mills
represents a voyage of rediscovery through the
history and values of the Woolrich ‘working
community’.
Geared towards men aware of the value of
tradition and authentic functional products, the
collection takes its inspiration from the original
mills in Woolrich. Every single piece in the
Woolrich Woolen Mills collection has its own
history, deriving from the American outdoors.
Focusing on garments that in their simplicity
embody American outerwear history through
their structural details.
The project originates from the desire to
create synergy between textile tradition and
modern forms, where structural details have a
fundamental role in terms of functionality.
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The renewal of the USA manufacturing
tradition is set in the concept “garment with
a purpose”, made in the USA, created with
original fabrics that unite the best industrial
“standards” with assembled and functional
details.
For the first ‘IO seasons Woolrich Woolen
Mills was designed by Daiki Suzuki, the
founder and creator of Engeneered Garment,
with a collection full of details and unusual
features. The actual designer of the collection
is Mark McNairy, creator of the shoe
brand New Amsterdam, with a strong reinterpretation of the classic American items.
Brands Portfolio
PENN-RICH
Penn-rich is the new Woolrich collection
in the brand segmentation. Targeted to a
younger demographic group, Penn-rich
gives a new, contemporary interpretation
of Woolrich’s historical garments.
The square sheep logo recalls the 70’s
heritage and marks each piece of the
collection. Hoodies, t-shirts, down
jackets use the iconic Woolrich fabric in a
contemporary and unusual style.
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22
Brands Portfolio
BARACUTA
Manchester, a city synonymous with
downpours became the raincoat manufacture
capital of the world. It was through this
rainwear that Baracuta was born. At that time
Manchester was an industrious place, known
for textile production. In 1937 John and Isaac
Miller began making the original G9 Ba
racuta at their Chorlton Street factory in Ma
nchester. This came to define the brand. It was
the original incarnation of the G9 jacket and
it has continued to be made in Manchester
ever since. The culture around the city grew
into one of aspiration and working hard to
climb the social ladder, which ran through the
jacket. The G9 embodied that spirit due to its
link to golf, which at the time was exclusively
for the wealthy. The Miller brothers aspired
to be accomplished golfers, which influenced
the creation of the G9. The cultural link of
Manchester was used when exporting the
brand to the states in 1950. It was picked up
by Ivy League college students, favouring the
G9 for its versatile nature - formalyet sporty;
athlete meets aesthete. Then, in 1954, Elvis
wore a G9 in the film King Creole, taking the
jacket to an even wider audience.
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Brands Portfolio
BARACUTA
The first New York City stockist [Paul Stewart]
opened and the platform for stateside
popularity had been built. Back in the UK,
John Simons’s seminal London store |\/y Shop
was credited for popularising the G9, which
he continues to sell to this day. Ryan O’Neal’s
character in the 196A series Peyton Place,
Rodney Harrington, was always stylishly attired
in a G9 and the jacket became known as a
`Harrington’, a moniker that it still retains.
Steve McQueen wore a G9 in the Thomas
Crown affair in 1968 and immediately made
the jacket a staple of his own wardrobe,
sporting it on the cover of Life Magazine.
With icons like Elvis Presley and Frank
Sinatra wearing the G9, and the sartorial
seeds thus sewn, the G9 gained favour in the
mod scene, and later amongst ska and punk
fans, taking the jacket from Hollywood and
the Ivy League to the man on the street. This
was the beginning of the G9’s reputation as
an everyman jacket - utilitarian design lends
itself to almost any aesthetic and those early
scene setters knew that. Rarely does an item of
clothing find favour with such disparate social
groups with such varied views and tastes.
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Brands Portfolio
BARBOUR
In 1894 John Barbour established himself
in the burgeoning port of South Shields,
supplying oilskins and other garments to
protect the growing community of sailors,
iishermen, river men, and dockers lrom the
worst of the North Sea weather. Within a
few years his company became the leading
supplier of oilskins on the northeast
coast, not only to seafarers but also to
the surrounding community of farmers,
laborers, carters, and shepherds. By the
beginning of the next century Barbour’s
durable Beacon oilskins were well-known
throughout Britain, and in 1971 Barbour
was appointed a Royal Warrant by the
Duke of Edinburgh, followed by a Royal
Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II in 1982 and a Royal Warrant by His
Highness the Prince of Wales in 1987.
WP Lavori first met the Barbour family
in 1984, and has imported the renowned
English brand throughout Italy ever since.
The Beufort and Bedale jackets have
become iconic garments in Italy for their
classic British look and performance in
inclement weather.
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Through its distribution license and by
opening a Barbour store in Milan in
2003, WP Lavori has been able to further
communicate the Barbour story and product
offering throughout Italy.
R
Brands Portfolio
BLUNDSTONE
Blundstone’s history can be traced all the
way back to the midIgth century, when in
1853 the Corramandel set sail from England
bound for Melbourne, Australia. As the
old country faded from view, two brothers
aboard both fell victim to violent seasickness
When the ship arrived in Hobart Town,
having been blown off course during the
journey, James and Thomas Cuthbertson
swore never to venture from land again.
Using the skills and knowledge gained from
the British footwear trade, James set up a
shoe shop. During the same period John and
Eliza Blundstone had arrived in Hobart and
established John Blundstone and Son A few
years later these two fledgling companies
merged to create what we know today as
Blundstone.
The Australian company has since become
a specialized manufacturer of heavy-duty
footwear for farming, forestry, mining, and
industrial uses. Its classic pull on boot has
become a fashion icon in its own right,
loved for its timeless design, simplicity,
and comfort.
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Brands Portfolio
PALLADIUM
Palladium was founded in 1920 to make tires
for the fledgling aviation industry. Tires were
made by layering canvas bands underneath
vulcanized rubber. Palladium’s expertise
was so advanced that soon the majority of
Europe’s aircraft were using Palladium tires.
After World War II, with aircraft
manufacturing screeching to a halt, the
demand for tires decreased dramatically.
Palladium decided to open a plant in Pont De
Cheruy, France, to start producing footwear
that was as hard wearing as their tires. In 1947
the legendary Pampa boot was born, and the
functionality, comfort and durability were so
outstanding that the French Foreign Legion
adopted it for their use. The Foreign Legion
put the boot to the test in the harsh desert
conditions of North Africa, and throughout
the rugged terrain of the Atlas Mountains.
Today, the original design, classic lines and
time tested utility are as relevant as they
have ever been. Combining over 60 years of
authenticity with modern manufacturing,
premium materials and cutting edge styling,
Palladium boots are ready to help you explore
your street, your city, or the world.
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Celebrities
Gabriele Salvatores
Brian De Palma
Natalie Portman
Ewan McGregor
...and Woolrich
Harrison Ford
Valentino Rossi
Penelope Cruz
Steven Spielberg
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Adrien Brody
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sofia Coppola
Ben Affleck
Vincent Cassel
Jonny Deep
Celebrities
John Hamm
Howard Donald
...and Woolrich
James Franco
Sophie Anderton
Agyness Deyn
Kate Flannery
Terrence Howard
Vin Diesel
Michael Shannon
Michael Weatherly
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Eva Greenw
Rayan Goslin
Elizabeth Banks
Salma Hayek
C O M PA N Y
P R O F I LE