#Zoom: Buyers sough for 3 Paule KA stores in France, its trademarks and stocks

The famous premium ready-to-wear clothing French brand PAULE KA is seeking buyers for 3 of its stores, its trademarks and stocks. A tender has been launched by its judicial liquidator, the firm of Asteren represented by Julia Ruth, with a deadline for offers set at 5 p.m. on 16 septembre 2024.

Created in 1987 by Serge Cajfinger, Paule KA is a French premium ready-to-wear clothing brand. Taking inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s and influenced by its founder’s Brazilian origins with a style described as “geometric and basic, sophisticated but urban”, the brand was quickly adopted by consumers. A number of famous people have been spotted wearing its designs, including Kate Middleton, Meryl Streep, Amal Clooney, Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lopez.

It was taken over in 2020 by businessman Thierry Le Guénic within the context of receivership proceedings. Unfortunately, like so many other brands, Paule KA has continued to suffer the full effects of the difficulties currently facing the retail sector and has struggled to recover, weakened notably by a high level of debt.

Placed into receivership at the end of April, in mid-July this was converted into compulsory liquidation. It is in this context that the liquidator has launched a call for tender to take over:

• 3 stores as described hereinafter, including leases, customers and any agreements and documents related to the business of the company Paule KA Paris, material and movable assets as listed by the auctioneer, with the exception of those assets liable to claim;
• of 94 trademarks and 7 models;
• stocks.

It is stated that, in order to protect their rights in relation to the guarantees provided by the CGEA Ile de France (AGS), employees are currently being made redundant on economic grounds. Candidates must therefore declare that they will take responsibility for preferential re-employment rights.

The three stores are the following:

Store located at 66 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

• Commercial lease from 21 mars 2022 concluded for a 10-year period with effect from 21 mars 2022, until 20 mars 2032
• Premises: on the ground floor, commercial premises made up of a store, the back part of which is covered by a glass structure, and including a staircase giving access to a storeroom at basement level.
• Intended use: Women’s ready-to-wear clothing, fashion accessories, underwear, shoes, perfumes and small leather goods, it being stated that these activities must be operated simultaneously.
• Current rent: 17,435.19 € excluding taxes and charges per month (209,222.28 € excluding taxes and charges annually)
• Known debt obligations: (subject to actualisation) 18 310.41 €
• Assignment limitations: solidarity clause / no inverted solidarity clause

Store located at 45 rue François 1^er, 75008 Paris

• Commercial leasefrom 24 juillet 2019 concluded for a 9-year period with effect from July 1^st 2019, until 30 juin 2028
• Premises: store on the ground floor and basement providing total floorspace of approximately 250m².
• Intended use: the sale of Haute Couture articles, ready-to-wear men’s and women’s clothing, furs, leathers, and any fashion-related articles and accessories, all top of the range. Perfumes, jewellery, shoes, tableware and home linens are also authorised.
• Current rent: 60,494.37 € excluding taxes and charges per quarter (241,977.48 € excluding taxes and charges annually)
• Known debt obligations: (subject to actualisation) 86 104.60 € (31 859.10 € outstanding and 54 245.50€ falling due for the period 24/04/2024 to 30/06/2024) + 76 011.79 € for the period 01/07/2024 to 30/09/ 2024
• Solidarity clause: solidarity clause + inverted solidarity clause

Store located at 7, place des Célestins, 69002 Lyon

• Commercial leasefor a 9-year period with effect from January 1^st 2024, until midnight on December 31^st 2032
• Premises: a shop with store and WC, cellar
• Intended use: Ready-to-wear men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, related accessories: bags, belts, shoes and perfumes
• Current rent: 2,550 € excluding taxes and charges per month (30,600 € excluding taxes and charges annually)
• Solidarity clause: solidarity clause / no inverted solidarity clause

More details about these assets and the procedure for filing offers are available in the presentation documents available:

• For the stores: here.
• For trademarks: here.

By Mayday