Inter Parfums has entered into a 10 and a half year worldwide licencing deal with Agent Provocateur to create, produce and distribute perfumes and related products for the luxury lingerie brand. The agreement, which begins on 1 August, will see Inter Parfums release its first fragrance under the Agent Provocateur brand next year.
The company has also unveiled its plans to take over distribution of selected fragrances within the Agent Provocateur fragrance portfolio and rework the brand’s signature scent.
UK based Agent Provocateur was founded in 1994 by Joseph Corré and Serena Rees. The brand was later acquired by private equity firm 3i Group plc in 2007 and is currently sold in 80 doors in 26 countries, which include own boutiques, and shop-in-shops within department stores and specialty retailers.
Jean Madar, Chairman and CEO of Inter Parfums said: “Agent Provocateur is an edgy, sophisticated, and decidedly upscale luxury brand with significant global appeal. The connection between scent and sensuality is very strong and we look forward to building upon the success that Agent Provocateur has already had in leveraging this marriage. Accordingly, we are in the process of creating a new fragrance portfolio for the brand, which we plan to launch with the introduction of a new signature scent next year.”
News of the agreement comes soon after Inter Parfums released its second quarter results, which saw its consolidated sales fall 19.3% to $117.5m, down from $145.6m in the prior year quarter. Excluding Burberry brand sales, net sales hit $96.8m – a 17% jump on $82.7m in the prior year. According to the company, the result was driven by strong growth in both its European and US operations.