1946
Marcel Boussac was a textile magnate known as the King of Cotton who wanted a Paris fashion house for prestige.
“Boussac at the time is a textile magnate who was called the King of Cotton.”
Topic
Marcel Boussac
6 facts from 3 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1978
The Boussac group filed for bankruptcy in 1978, which was at the time the largest bankruptcy in French history.
“in 1978, the whole Boussac group finally files for bankruptcy in what up until this point was the largest bankruptcy in French national history.”
1978
The collapse of the Boussac empire was the largest industrial bankruptcy in French history at the time.
“the largest industrial bankruptcy bankruptcy in France in French history at the time”
1980s
After taking over Boussac, Bernard Arnault laid off about 9,000 of its roughly 20,000 workers.
“Arnault over the next couple of years does what nobody else was willing to do. He lays off about 9,000 of the 20,000-ish workers.”
1980s
Arnault and Lazard sold Boussac's disposable diaper division for $400 million, and the asset sales raised over $500 million in total.
“they sell literally the disposable diaper division of Boussac, which is called Poduce, which is soft skin in English. They sell that for $400 million alone.”
Undated
Marcel Boussac backed Christian Dior with 10 million francs, later increased to 100 million francs.
“Boussac liked the idea and offered to set Dior up immediately with an investment of 10 million francs, and this was later increased to 100 million francs.”
Episodes