A page turns to Robert Clergerie. The company that bears its name was liquidated at the beginning of April And this closure moved him a lot. This former big name for the luxury shoe in France must now say goodbye to “A case” that he put “40 years to build”. Questioned by the radio here, the 91-year-old man returned to his entrepreneurial career who started in 1978 in Romans-sur-Isère, a tremolo in the voice and tears in eyes.
At the time, he used more than 2,000 employees In the city which radiated by its presence and that of two other creators: Charles Jourdan and Stéphane Kélian. After the bankruptcy of its two competitors, “It was screwed up». “In the three cases, there were financial groups (…) but not the attachment for the product, for people”he regrets, noting that «Changing fashionthe habits of clients too ». Finally, the last 60 employees of his company have lost their jobs.
“It broke the face”
The time when Robert Clergerie Chaussait Madonna, Marion Cotillard and Michelle Obama left. “Little by little, it broke the face” and production methods have been modified, notably using to Chinese materialsdisappointing the most faithful customers. Finally, the doors of the company closed and its founder keeps in mind “Great moments”. “At least, I didn’t spoil my life, I went to the end of my ideas»he told the radio.
