On the occasion of the Role model event, Nicolas Parpex, pilot of Plan Touch at Bpifrance, was Olivier Guyot's guest for a podcast devoted to Plan Touch and capital investments in the fashion sector.

The investment world meets the fashion world for a podcast. What is the Bpifrance Touch Plan? Who are the actors supporting the fashion sectors? What are the emerging trends in this sector in a post-Covid world? Nicolas Parpex, director of the Cultural and Creative Industries (ICC) investment division and pilot of Plan Touch at Bpifrance, was at the microphone of Olivier Guyot, editor-in-chief France of FashionNetwork.com, in the 48th episode of the Luxurynsight x FashionNetwork podcast.

Here are the 5 points to remember from this episode dedicated to La French Touch.

1- Economic power, soft power and competitiveness: the triple challenge of La French Touch

The French Touch is the subject of particular attention from Bpifrance and its partners because CCIs represent 5% of French GDP. Their development and growth therefore represent an issue of economic power. Their international influence is also a real soft power challenge. Finally, France has a competitive advantage in these sectors which it is essential to preserve. This is why Bpifrance launched its Touch plan in 2020.

2- The Touch Plan: a funding and support continuum dedicated to CCIs

According to Nicolas Parpex, the Touch Plan is based on 3 pillars. First, a definition of La French Touch, the industries of creation and know-how, brought together by transformations and similar issues such as digital transformation, ecological transition, change of scale, feminization, l inclusion, diversity or international development. This scope has made it possible to identify synergies and cross-functionalities, such as collaborations between fashion brands and video game brands. To meet these challenges, Plan Touch relies on a continuum of Bpifrance solutions. Thus, since 2020, the bank for entrepreneurs has deployed more than 2,5 billion euros in the La French Touch sector. Finally, in addition to these elements, there are ecosystem animation actions carried out by the Bpifrance teams.

3- Game changer, challengers, leader: the actors of La French Touch

The Plan supports both young creative companies that offer tech innovations, uses but also new economic models, with strong CSR issues – Game Changers –, as well as SMEs with high growth potential – Challengers – or larger companies like Eric Bompard in the fashion sector – the Leaders. The issue is to cover the whole spectrum and to mobilize the various Bpifrance tools to meet the needs of CCIs.

4- The worlds of fashion and finance need to get to know each other better

There are many financial players specializing in the fashion sector. But without shared reading keys, without in-depth knowledge of the sector and without a common language, we cannot make informed decisions. This is why Bpifrance always operates in co-financing or co-investment with various market players.

5- The Covid has accelerated already very visible trends

In the field of fashion, the models that have resisted the best and which continue to perform are the “digital first” models, with affinity and community value propositions. Thus, the most resilient brands are those that had the most intimate and strongest relationship with their customers, integrating the ecological transition into their value proposition, meaningful and internationally oriented.

Find this episode on Apple podcasts ou Soundcloud