Smart Luxury

From casual monochrome looks to fine craftsmanship from Naples: the Parma Agency knows how to combine stylish statements with a smart business sense. As menswear specialists with a clear sense of quality and relevance, Sebastian Hilbig and his team provide market-oriented answers to the demands of the upmarket retail sector. In an interview with style in progress, he gives a trenchant outlook on the coming order season - including exciting new additions, striking focus topics and a clear stance on the future of retail.

Sebastian, what are the most exciting new additions to your portfolio that retailers can look forward to?

Sebastian Hilbig, Partner - Parma Group and CCO-Chief Commercial Officer: " We are delighted to have two fresh names join us: Aurélien and Marco Pescarolo. Both brands bring a modern interpretation of luxury that fits perfectly with our approach. However, I would particularly like to highlight the acquisition of the representative office for Paul & Shark and Lardini in Switzerland. These are two absolute lighthouse brands that we are now looking after exclusively - with great potential for the high-end Swiss retail sector.

With Marco Pescarolo it is particularly important to emphasize this: Everything is made by hand in Naples. The brand does not buy any fabrics from external suppliers. Instead, all fabrics are produced exclusively in-house in Naples. This is the responsibility of Anna Pescarolo, Marco's wife, who has built up in-depth expertise in the development of fine fabrics over the years. This means that every pair of trousers, every jacket and every T-shirt is based on specially developed fabric qualities that cannot be found anywhere else on the market. This exclusivity and uncompromising quality standards make Marco Pescarolo so unique.

What themes and brands are you focusing on this season?

Our guiding theme is clearly Smart Luxury - luxurious products with a clear reference to everyday life. In addition, there is the trend towards monochrome looks, which we serve with brands such as Aurélien, MooRER Golf, Marco Pescarolo and 04651/. Barba Napoli is a real passion for us: their shirts are handmade, incredibly good value for money and are a symbol of genuine craftsmanship. The retail price is between 225 and 250 euros - a statement of quality and value.

How are you looking ahead to the upcoming sales season in the DACH region?

We are very positive about this development. Our customer base - and that of our partners - clearly shows us that quality beats quantity. Those who know their customers and offer them sustainably good products are ahead of the game. This gives us a lot of optimism for the long term.

Parma DACH GmbH: 04651/ A Trip in a Bag, Aurélien, Barba Napoli, Brett Johnson, Devore Incipit, Marco Pescarolo, MooRER, Lardini (Swiss only), Paul & Shark (Swiss only), Stile Latino Napoli, Sturlini.