Zadig & Voltaire appoints MD and unveils growth ambitions

French brand Zadig & Voltaire has appointed former Céline director Jean-Jacques Guevel as managing director and revealed an ambition to double its sales in the next three to five years.

Guevel was appointed by Thierry Gillier founder of Zadie & Voltaire, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. He was previously international director at LVMH-owned Céline for eight years and his career also includes stints at Louis Vuitton, ST Dupont and LVMH's fashion division.

"Zadig & Voltaire has established itself as a real Maison, not just a brand of the moment," he said. "With its unique character and positioning, it has created its own distinct, original profile."

The brand is available in the UK through standalone stores in affluent London neighbourhoods including South Molton Street, Westbourne Grove, Spitalfields, St John's Wood, Sloane Street, King's Road, Richmond, Hackney, Hampstead and at Westfield London. It also has concessions in Harvey Nichols in London, Leeds and Edinburgh, Harrods and Selfridges. Worldwide the brand has 320 outlets as well as its e-store.

Under the artistic direction of Cécilia Bönström it has developed a rock/chic aesthetic (the skull motif appears regularly in its designs) and has a particular specialism in luxe t-shirts, knits and cashmere (knitwear accounts for 40% of sales) though it offers a full range of ready-to-wear, footwear and accessories for men, women and children.

Sales in 2016 reached €320m and the brand says it plans to double this figure in the next three to five years. Earlier this year it staged its first ever "see now, buy now" catwalk show at New York Fashion Week, which was a signal of its intent to grow international sales particularly in the US and China.

Later this year it will open its first flagship store on New York's Broome Street (it already has 13 US stores) and will add another Parisian flagship on the Rue Cambon, which is scheduled for a June opening.