Maison Close Buys Scandale

Items from Scandale's new Rococo collection.

20 year old Maison Close announced the acquisition of the Scandale brand from Hop Lun earlier this month, arguing that the “iconic French lingerie brand founded in 1932” was a “pioneer of the modern girdle, whose inventiveness profoundly transformed the way women wore lingerie.” It added that as “a symbol of boldness and freedom, Scandale was the first to introduce innovative underwear, softer, lighter, breaking with the restrictive codes of the time.”

Maison Close noted that after it was “acquired in 2006 by the Hop Lun group, the brand had not yet regained the brilliance befitting its heritage. Maison Close now becomes the new custodian of this French legacy, with the ambition of offering it a renewed renaissance worthy of its history.”

“Maison Close is entering a new phase,” the announcement added. “Its strong growth, international aura, and singular creative language reinforce a clear ambition: to consolidate its position in the premium market and open the retail chapter with precision, rarity, and intent. To celebrate this rebirth, the House launches Rococo, a tribute collection that draws on Scandale’s corsetry heritage and reinterprets it through the contemporary lens of Maison Close. The first drop will be unveiled at the end of January 2026, inaugurating a year of creative expressions around this historic union.”

Nicolas Busnel, founder and designer at Maison Close, explained the acquisition: “Scandale has always been part of my inspirational universe, as much for its creations as for its communication, particularly the campaigns illustrated by Gruau, which left a deep mark on my imagination. This brand has crossed my path many times. When Erik Ryd, founder and CEO of Hoplun, offered me the opportunity to take it over, I felt immense honor and deep recognition for the work I have accomplished over the past twenty years. I could not refuse such a proposal. The challenge is immense, but at Maison Close, we love ambitious projects: they are our driving force. The teams are galvanized by this new adventure.”

Maison Close will be at the Evolution New York trade show in New York (January 31 through February 10. Contact: Maria Lesovik, wholesale account manager based in Paris. Direct line: +33 (0)4 96 16 06 43; cell phone: +33 (0)6 86 07 74 33. m.lesovik@maison-close.com.