NEW BEGINNINGS: French luxury lingerie brand Scandale has a new owner.
Marseille-based Maison Close, which marks its 20th anniversary this year and specializes in high-end sensual undergarments, has acquired the dormant label from Hong Kong-based lingerie-maker Hop Lun, its owner since 2006.
The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
Founded in 1932 by textile designer Robert Perrier, a former collaborator of Christian Dior, Scandale became known for its materials innovation aiming at making undergarments lighter and more comfortable for women. In its heyday its advertising campaigns were illustrated by famed illustrator René Gruau.
After its acquisition by Hop Lun, in 2014 the brand received an investment from Halle Berry, who took a 50 percent stake and spearheaded its introduction on the North American market. The actress later sold her stake in Scandale back to the Hong Kong-based company.
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“Scandale has always been part of my inspirations, for its creations as much as its communication, notably with the Gruau-illustrated campaigns, which profoundly marked my imagination,” said Nicolas Busnel, founder, president and artistic director of Maison Close.
“The challenge is immense but at Maison Close, we love ambitious projects; they are our motor,” Busnel added. “[Our] teams are galvanized by this new adventure.”
The first move by Scandale’s new parent is the introduction of Rococo, a new collection that pays homage to the 94-year-old brand’s track record as a heritage corset-maker. The collection will bow at the end of January on Maison Close’s website exclusively.
Busnel launched Maison Close in 2006 after a career in advertising. Its designs have been worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen and Miley Cyrus.
Turnover topped 20 million euros in 2025, with 76 percent of sales coming from its e-commerce and several marketplaces. The brand, which has plans to open its first physical store, also counts around 100 retailers around the world.
The U.S. is Maison Close’s largest market, accounting for 19 percent of the business, ahead of its homeland of France and other European countries.
In October, it tapped as chief executive officer Caroline Bour, who spent more than nine years at Etam in various management roles and almost five years at Agent Provocateur prior to that.
