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Interview with Victorio & Lucchino

The Andalusian designers Victorio & Lucchino, whose partnership goes back 25 years, have just embarked on a flurry of new projects. New brands and collections, a franchise network and a boost for foreign sales are the cornerstones of the new strategy. A very personal style, firmly rooted in Andalusia has brought international acclaim for two of Spain’s major fashion ambassadors. Fringes and frills, lace and embroidery – these are the hallmarks of designs that many consider works of art.

José Luis Medina del Corral and José Víctor Rodríguez Caro make a perfect team. Their awareness of the senses and mastery of the art of fashion have produced into two inspirational designers renowned for setting trends. It was at the firm Disar in the early seventies when their paths first crossed and where they discovered the shared fashion tastes that brought them together professionally. They decided to make a go of it together, opening a shop in Seville, and from then on, the sky was the limit. Indeed, they have proved unstoppable in every area to which they have turned their hand. Apart from women’s wear, they have produced fragrances, designed boxes of chocolates for Nestle and a telephone for Motorola, not to mention kitting out the entire team of Seville’s Expo 1992. Fashionfromspain went to talk to them...

This is a particularly upbeat moment in your careers and you’re keen to give your firm some extra impetus. Tell us about your new projects.

In early 2003, we designed a rapid-growth plan so we’d be in a good position by 2006. By then, the aim is that foreign sales should reach 30%, that turnover should treble to Euro 21 million, and that net profit should quadruple to reach Euro 4.5 million in 2006.

An ambitious plan. What steps are you taking to achieve it?

Firstly consolidation on the domestic market, with flagship stores and corners in El Corte Inglés. Secondly, a franchise network, a boost for our second line of apparel, V&L – where our most immediate concern is our children’s wear collection – and new licences. Six million euros by 2005 – that’s the investment plan.

At the moment, we’re got a “secret” project going, decorating the Silken Hotel in Madrid. We and Javier Mariscal are the only Spaniards involved. The others are top international architects and artists. In fact, a new décor division is something else we’d like to have.

How many Victorio & Lucchino lines and collections are there?

We’re currently designing prêt-à-porter men’s and women’s collections, which is new for us, as well as the second line we’ve launched under the V&L label. We also have a very strong bridal collection and children’s wear. That’s in addition to leather and accessories. So we’re highly diversified.

How do these break down in your total sales?

The bridal division accounts for 30% of the group’s sales, prêt-a-porter is 65% and the remaining 5% comes from licences. Our goal is to bring royalty income up to 30% of sales.

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