Napoleon Perdis Group in administration: Future of another Darwin store in doubt

AUSTRALIAN cosmetics empire Napoleon Perdis Group has gone into voluntary administration, putting jobs and 56 local stores — including one in Darwin — at risk

Napoleon Perdis, pictured with his daughter Lianna, has failed to find a buyer for his makeup and beauty business. Picture: James Croucher

AUSTRALIAN cosmetics empire Napoleon Perdis Group has gone into voluntary administration, putting jobs and 56 local stores — including one in Darwin — at risk.

The cult makeup chain’s Aussie stores are now closed for stocktake, and Simon Cathro, Chris Cook and Ivan Glavas of Worrells Solvency Accountants have been appointed as administrators.

One of those 56 stores is located in Casuarina Square, which now has a cloud over its future.

Stores will open again on Friday with items expected to go on sale.

Company directors had been trying to find a buyer for months.

The struggling brand was created in 1995 by high-profile Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis, who started with a concept store in Sydney before extending the company overseas in 2004.

Administrators will now consider a restructure or pursue the sale option while the business continues to trade.

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“The Napoleon Perdis brand is an iconic brand of Australia with substantial value and relevance within the cosmetic industry both for Australian and international markets,” Mr Cathro said.

“Our understanding of the brand and its businesses has only strengthened our assessment of its potential business performance and profitability”.

Mr Perdis said he and his family were committed to achieving the best outcome for all stakeholders.

“The brand is still in high demand from our customers and is more innovative than ever,” he said.

“So restructuring the business in this manner, we believe, puts it in a prime position to continue to evolve through continued trade or in a sale.”

Worrells said it will continue to trade all stores as usual and undertake daily assessments of the stores throughout the administration process.

The Napoleon Perdis Group has an exclusive agreement with, Priceline, who vouched its support of the business during the administration process.

Napoleon Perdis launched in over 200 Priceline stores from August 2018.

Earlier this month, Aussie menswear retailer Ed Harry was also revealed to have gone into voluntary administratio n.

Other big names that folded last year include Max Brenner, Roger David and Laura Ashley.