The agreement, made between Lanvin and Inter Parfums' French subsidiary, provided for a consideration of an upfront license fee of €16 million and the purchase of existing inventory for €6 million, in addition to advertising expenditures and the payment of royalties in line with industry practice.
Lanvin's perfume launches have been somewhat sporadic in recent years, with three in the 1970s, two in the 1980s, and only one in the 1990s, which was Lanvin L'Homme in 1997.
However, the company seemed to adopt an enthusiastic strategy for the new millennium, with a new fragrance every year so far. Oxygène was launched in 2000, followed a year later in 2001 by its masculine counterpart Oxygène Homme. In 2002 Lanvin introduced Eclat d'Arpège and last year, 2003, Vetyver.
Chairman and chief executive officer of Inter Parfums Philippe Benacin said: "This partnership fits perfectly with our growth strategy of developing and expanding Inter Parfums' brand portfolio."
"Lanvin fragrances will in turn benefit from our recognized expertise in creating, distributing and managing fragrance lines. A new line should be launched within eighteen to twenty four months," Benacin explained.
Jeanne Lanvin's chairman and chief executive officer Sing-Ming Chu added: "This agreement will give Lanvin resources to grow in the luxury ready-to-wear market while consolidating the work devoted to turning around fragrances which began two years ago".
The Lanvin fashion house was founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin and expanded into fragrances in the 1920s. Its fragrances occupy important positions in the prestige markets in France, Europe and Asia.