Once upon a time, there was Orchestra ...

The birth of a concept
The Orchestra company came into being in July 1995, when Chantal and Pierre Mestre decided to develop an original brand and distribution concept based on retail clothing for children. The concept is to have prices among the lowest on the market, carefully designed up-to-date styles, and impeccable quality. Three industrial groups took part in the capitalization and the first store opened its doors in August 1995, at Orange (France).

Rapid controlled growth
Sixteen new stores opened in the following three years, while the head office organized and structured itself in 1997 and 1998 (strategic recruiting: developing managements for style, purchasing, business, logistics, etc,). The concept of stores in first-rate sites (in shopping malls or city center for example) was definitely confirmed after the opening of the stores in Claye-Souilly (France) and Montpellier, in 1998.

In order to continue its development in France as well as Europe, Orchestra opened its capital in 1999 to a group of financial investors which brought in over 3.3 M€ in equity capital and quasi-equity. That same year, Orchestra began its international activity with an initial opening in Gerona, Spain.

In 2000, 19 new stores (owned or under franchise) were opened, including 8 in Spain, 3 in Belgium and 1 in Switzerland. The first “Master Franchise” contract was also signed this year, for Belgium.

In 2001, 47 new Orchestra points of sale would come into being (not counting the DIPAKI shops reopened under the ORCHESTRA banner during the 1st trimester of 2002).

In 2002, 108 openings, including 45 branches, marked a special investment effort which contributed to attaining the necessary size essential for access to the best suppliers.

In 2003, 51 new stores opened under our banner and the brand expanded to a number of new countries.

In 2004, 40 openings.

After 9 years of existence, Orchestra now distributes to over 450 point of sales in over 44 countries.