Market stirred up by potential future acquisitions

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Mar 15, 2018

The parade of mergers and acquisitions taking place in the fashion industry doesn't look like it's ready to stop any time soon. While Italian leather goods company Piquadro has recently announced its intention to acquire Lancel from luxury group Richemont, and takeovers, from Bally to Lanvin, are on the rise, two new deals now look to be on the cards in the sector. 

 
First of all, reports claim that Swedish ready-to-wear brand Acne Studios has put the majority of its capital on the market. According to details published by WWD, the company's co-founders Jonny Johansson and Mikael Schiller have tasked Goldman Sachs with finding potential buyers. Talks are reportedly already underway and the sales process should get started before the summer. When asked about the reports, however, the brand denied the claims that it is up for sale.

Another potential deal concerns Carven, acquired in 2016 by Bluebell Group, the brand's distribution partner in Hong Kong and China which had already held a minority share in the label since 2011. According to MF Fashion, Style Capital – the Italian investment firm headed by Roberta Benaglia – is interested in making an investment in the brand. 

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Bluebell's operations are focused in Asia and less structured in Europe, so it wouldn't be surprising if the company was looking for a partner to help support its international expansion. MF Fashion also reports that Style Capital, which recently gained a 32% stake in MSGM and owns brands Sundek and Forte Forte, could also be planning to make an investment in Stella McCartney. The British brand is apparenty currently in talks concerning the future of its joint venture with the Kering group.