Alexandre Vauthier is no longer the Artistic director of his namesake brand, following its acquisition by US retailer Revolve last year. The designer, who founded his label 16 years ago, has confirmed his removal as Artistic director and has taken legal action to challenge the dismissal in French labor courts.
The Alexandre Vauthier brand, known for its haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, faced significant financial challenges prior to the acquisition. The company defaulted in November 2023, struggling with delayed payments from retailers, economic uncertainty and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. By February 2024, the situation had deteriorated further, forcing the brand to seek court protection from the Paris Commercial Court and eventually enter receivership.
In June 2024, Revolve acquired the financially troubled fashion label through L.A. Rive Droite, a French corporation, for $500,000 USD, primarily to cover legal fees. As part of the deal, Vauthier relinquished all intellectual property and business rights in exchange for a 20% stake and voting rights in the new company. Though he still holds that minority stake, he no longer has a say in the brand’s creative or business decisions, according to Revolve.
The brand skipped both the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter Haute Couture seasons in 2024, before making an unscheduled return during Paris Haute Couture Week in January for Spring/Summer 2025.
The company also launched a revamped e-commerce platform under the modified name “Vauthier Paris,” with a new logo and Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collections.
