PASCAL CONTE JODRA
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Fusalp™
INTERVIEW/12/10/2024

"I draw on these experiences to balance tradition, innovation and strategic development."

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Pascal Conte-Jodra is the new CEO of Fusalp™, a French brand renowned for its high-end ski and streetwear. Appointed in September 2024 and with over twenty years' experience in the fashion industry, Pascal Conte-Jodra has previously held executive positions in prestigious luxury houses.

Fusalp™ is an iconic French brand that embodies the perfect alliance between technicality and lifestyle. Known for dressing Olympic ski champions in the 1960s, Fusalp has evolved over the decades while preserving its mythical heritage.

What's your background in a few words?

"I built my career path between creativity and performance within iconic fashion and luxury houses. In the United States, where I spent over 15 years, I had the opportunity to evolve at Hermès™, Carolina Herrera™ (Puig) and Marc Jacobs™ (LVMH), alternating between financial and general management roles. Back in France, I managed Mugler Fashion™ and Y/Project™, two bold and avant-garde houses. My interest in creative talent management and brand positioning is at the heart of my vision. At Fusalp, I draw on these experiences to balance tradition, innovation and strategic development."

What motivated you to join Fusalp in 2024?

"I am deeply honored to have joined Fusalp, an iconic house with a strong brand heritage, a unique DNA and an unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence and style. It was with passion and determination that I decided to bring my experience to bear on the brand's ambitions for growth, while strengthening its influence on the international scene. In 10 years, Fusalp has undergone a remarkable transformation, growing from sales of €5 million when it was acquired in 2013 to €65 million today, with the ambition of doubling this amount within five years."

How do you see the growing link between sport and luxury?

"Fusalp is much more than a ski brand. It's a Luxury Lifestyle Brand, rooted in the Alps and buoyed by 72 years of innovation thanks to the vision and talent of two master tailors. Right from the start, the brand revolutionized downhill skiing with iconic inventions such as the spindle or the ski suit, which propelled Fusalp to the forefront of the international scene, with the French national ski team in particular making it their preferred ally on the slopes.

Today, we apply this demand for quality and technicality to all our product categories, from mountain wear to lifestyle pieces, because Fusalp stands out for its highly technical, timelessly elegant garments with a recognizable silhouette.

Our past collaborations, such as those with Chloé™ or Pucci™, illustrate our ability to showcase our know-how in a variety of universes. Our mission is clear: to celebrate French excellence and elevate style, from mountain to city, winter to summer, from 0 to 3000 meters."

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Tell us about fusalp's "fashion tech" positioning?What role do AI and digital technology play at fusalp?

"Technology is essential to our product innovation. Since 2018, our R&D laboratory in Annecy has carried out over 8,000 tests annually to guarantee the quality of our products, the durability of our textiles and the excellence of our sourcing according to our exacting criteria. We're always on the lookout

On the digital front, we have also achieved key milestones, notably with the overhaul of our e-commerce system. Although artificial intelligence and blockchain are not yet fully integrated, they are part of our strategic thinking. Personally, I'm very interested in new technologies in general, with a particular focus on blockchain and artificial intelligence, convinced of their potential to redefine the standards of our industry."

The sustainable approach is no longer a sufficiently differentiating selling point. How can you win over new customers?

"At Fusalp, we're convinced that a sustainable approach is much more than just a sales pitch. For us, it is the very foundation of our commitment to the future. We continue to invest in textile research to develop ever more efficient and responsible solutions, while reinforcing our strategy of sustainability, longevity and circularity. Sustainability is a pillar of our strategy, and we go the extra mile to design products that are built to last, thought through with a transgenerational logic, to stand the test of time. This is supported by :

- A global after-sales service that supports our customers throughout the product life cycle.

- A circular strategy, favoring longevity, repair and the use of responsible materials.

- The implementation of greater transparency, which will provide clear and precise information to its consumers."

How is Fusalp preparing for the European Green Deal regulations (CSRD & CSDDD)?

"Fusalp has established itself as a major player in traceability and transparency thanks to its partnership with Trace For Good™. By combining innovation and social responsibility, the company ensures exhaustive multi-material traceability and is committed to providing clear and accurate information to its consumers. This innovative project, supported by a major mobilization of suppliers, guarantees exemplary legal and environmental compliance. It also makes it possible to assess the ecological impact of products through in-depth life-cycle analyses. With full traceability starting with the Spring-Summer 2024 collection, and an ambition to tell the story of each product, Fusalp confirms its position as a pioneer in transparency."

How has Fusalp managed to stay in the industry for so long?

"Fusalp has been able to endure in this sector thanks to its rich and authentic heritage, for its longevity is based on its ability to evolve while respecting its roots, revolutionizing downhill skiing in depth right from its creation in 1952, thus etching its mark on the history of winter sports. This heritage creates a strong emotional bond with its customers, offering them more than just a garment, but a genuine experience rooted in French know-how and elegance.

By cultivating this sense of belonging, Fusalp has federated a loyal community, attracted by the unique alliance of technicality, innovation and a recognizable, elegant silhouette. Today, thanks to this combination of tradition and modernity, Fusalp is more than ever an undisputed player in luxury and winter clothing, combining heritage and excellence to continue seducing generations of enthusiasts. What's more, our offer extends far beyond skiwear, with lifestyle pieces that appeal to an active, urban clientele. Our collaborations, like the one with GB SnowSport, the British alpine and para-alpine ski team since 2021, enable us to remain relevant and strengthen our influence on the international scene."

What do you see as the greatest challenges facing the outdoor industry today? How do you see Fusalp evolving between now and 2030?

"The industry is evolving in the face of demanding consumers looking for quality, durability and a unique experience. At Fusalp, we respond to these expectations by offering versatile garments designed to accompany an active lifestyle, outdoors, between mountain and city. Each piece is thought through to the smallest detail, combining technicality, comfort and elegance.

Our ambition between now and 2030 is to continue moving upmarket, and become a must-have brand for those seeking a balance between innovation, aesthetics and durability."

Today, Fusalp is as much a major player in the ski industry as it is a benchmark in ready-to-wear, combining comfort and elegance for a contemporary lifestyle. Headquartered in Annecy, in the heart of the Alps, the brand continues to draw inspiration from its mountain environment while meeting the expectations of a modern, demanding clientele. Working closely with Mathilde Lacoste, the brand's artistic director, Pascal Conte-Jodra will inject a new creative and operational dynamic.

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