Maje
SMCP · France
Maje is a Parisian womenswear brand founded in 1998 by Judith Milgrom, the sister of Sandro founder Évelyne Chetrite. It is part of the SMCP group and one of the best-known names in French accessible luxury.
| Founded | 1998, Paris |
|---|---|
| Founder | Judith Milgrom |
| Owner | SMCP (Euronext Paris) |
| SMCP chief executive | Isabelle Guichot (since 2021) |
| Segment | Premium contemporary womenswear |
| Website | maje.com |
What is Maje?
Maje is a French ready-to-wear label for women, known for feminine dresses, tweed jackets, knitwear and leather goods with a bohemian Parisian touch. It describes its spirit as feminine, free and emotional. The brand belongs to SMCP, the Paris-listed group that also owns Sandro, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac.
History
Judith Milgrom created Maje in 1998, having previously worked alongside her sister Évelyne Chetrite at Sandro. The brand name combines letters from family members' names. Maje opened its first Paris store in 2002.
In 2010 the sisters combined their interests with Claudie Pierlot under SMCP, with private equity backing from L Capital and Florac. The group subsequently passed to KKR in 2013 and to Shandong Ruyi in 2016, and listed on Euronext Paris in 2017. Its international expansion, including the United States from 2011 and Asia, carried Maje well beyond France.
In November 2025 SMCP disclosed that holders of up to 51.2% of its capital had started a sale process, a legacy of the 2021 default of former majority shareholder European TopSoho. As of July 2026 no buyer had been announced.
Products and positioning
Maje sits in the premium contemporary segment with a clearly womenswear focus:
- Dresses, skirts and blouses
- Tweed and tailored jackets, coats and knitwear
- Bags, including its leather handbag lines
- Shoes and accessories
Business model and distribution
Maje follows SMCP's retail-led model, with own boutiques, department store concessions, outlets and e-commerce, plus partners in selected markets. FashionNetwork reported that Maje's sales rose 5.3% in the second quarter of 2026, the strongest growth among the group's brands.
Why it matters
Maje is one of the engines of the French contemporary category abroad. Its performance within SMCP, and the outcome of the group's change of control, are key indicators for the health of the accessible luxury segment.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Maje?
Maje was founded in Paris in 1998 by Judith Milgrom. She is the sister of Évelyne Chetrite, who founded Sandro, and the two brands were later combined in the SMCP group.
Who owns Maje?
Maje belongs to SMCP, a French fashion group listed on Euronext Paris. Since late 2025 a sale process has been under way for up to 51.2% of SMCP's capital.