* H1 net profit 1.9 mln euros, vs 3.5 mln loss a year ago
* H1 net turnover 86.2 mln euros, vs 87.7 mln
* Retail, wholesale sales up 4 percent
By Antonella Ciancio
MILAN, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Italian fashion house Cavalli, best known for animal print designs, returned to profit in the first half, as a pick-up in sales helped offset lower licence fees.
Founded 40 years ago by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, the group posted a net profit of 1.9 million euros ($2.4 million) in the six months to June on Monday, compared with a 3.5 million loss a year ago.
"As a result of a strong reorganisation at the group, retail and wholesale revenue grew 4 percent compared with the previous year, offsetting a decline in royalty revenues," the group said.
Cavalli, looking to boost its accessories and menswear lines in the next two or three years, said sales at its own stores grew 27 percent, including those from new openings.
First-half net consolidated sales were 86.2 million euros, broadly in line with a year ago, after being hit in 2009 by financial woes at Italian licensee Ittierre.
Cavalli's Just Cavalli line is manufactured under licence by Ittierre, a unit of fashion group IT Holding, which was put into special administration last year. (Reporting by Antonella Ciancio, Editing by Dan Lalor) ($1 = 0.7768 euro)