China-headquartered luxury fashion group Lanvin has posted a double-digit decrease in sales for the first half due to soft demand.

Group revenue for the six months dropped 20 per cent year-on-year to €171 million (US$190 million). All brands recorded declines in sales, with the namesake Lanvin label falling 15.4 per cent, Wolford decreasing 27.6 per cent and St John down 14.3 per cent.

The company said global luxury market softness particularly impacted revenue in EMEA and Greater China, which fell 27 per cent and 24 per cent respectively. Sales also slid 7 per cent in Asia excluding Greater China and 11 per cent in North America.

Chairman Zhen Huang said the group faced a “tumultuous market” during the period, which is expected to continue in the near term.

On the bottom line, gross profit fell from €125 million last year to €98 million.

“We spent much of the first half committed to our marketing plan, but also prioritised rationalising our cost base to fit the current market environment,” added CEO Eric Chan.

“While we will be proactive in our approach to the near-term slowdown, we remain resolute in investing in our brands to forge our path forward, and to capitalise on our momentum as the markets improve.”