Tag: Brands

Anna Wintour has been appointed artistic director at Condé Nast

The Latest luxury industry appointments at Barneys, Daimler, Chanel, Tod’s, Condé Nast, Aquascutum, Raymond Weil, Walpole, Sofitel & Volvo

Richemont has announced the retirement of Ms Pilar Boxford, effective 1 April 2013. She will step down from the Group Management Committee at that time after serving the Swiss conglomerate since 1979. Following her retirement, she will continue as a consultant, supporting the Maisons on key public relations matters.

Henrik Fisker has resigned as executive chairman, citing “several major disagreements” with top management on business strategy, according to an email he apparently distributed to several major news organisations. According to Brand Channel, Fisker was integral to the design of the company’s cars as well as its name.

Shiseido Co. President Hisayuki Suekawa will step down for health reasons at the end of March 2013. Chairman Shinzo Maeda, who was president from 2005 to 2011, will take on the added role of president.

Mark Taylor, COO, Acquascutum

Aquascutum has hired former Juicy Couture finance director Mark Taylor as its chief operating officer for its UK business. Mr. Taylor took up the position in early March, replacing former Aquascutum boss Tim Dally, who stepped down due to ill health. He will report directly to Aquascutum International’s executive director and general manager, Andrew Chan.

Source: Fashion United

Jennifer Sunwoo, EVP, Barneys

Barneys New York has confirmed that Jennifer Sunwoo has been promoted to executive vice president and general merchandise manager for women’s, effective immediately. The former Bergdorf’s divisional merchandise manager of designer sportswear, joined Barneys in 2011 as the senior vice president of women’s designer fashion.

Source: WWD

Christine Dagousset Global President, Fragrance & Beauty, Chanel

Christine Dagousset, currently executive vice president of fragrance and beauté at Chanel Inc. in the U.S., has been appointed global president for the division. Ms. Dagousset began an 11-year tenure with L’Oréal as an intern in the household products division. In 1998 she was approached by Chanel to become senior vice president for global skincare, based in France.

Source: WWD

Victor Luis, CEO, Coach

Coach Inc. has named Victor Luis, head of the company’s international business, to succeed Chief Executive Officer Lew Frankfort next year. Frankfort, who was named CEO in 1995, will become executive chairman as of January 2014. Coach named Luis president and chief commercial officer in the interim and said he’ll also join the board.

Source: Bloomberg

Anna Wintour, Artistic Director, Condé Nast

Condé Nast has promoted Anna Wintour to the newly created role of artistic director, further to her duties as editor in chief of Vogue and editorial director of Teen Vogue. “The establishment of an Artistic Director is a reflection of our commitment to preserve and champion all that exists ‘Only at Condé Nast,’” Charles H. Townsend, the chief executive of Condé Nast.

Source: Fashionista

Dieter Zetsche, CEO, Daimler

Daimler has extended Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche’s term until the end of 2016. The automaker has also named manufacturing manager Wolfgang Bernhard as head of the Daimler Trucks division, switching roles with Andreas Renschler, who will oversee production and purchasing at Mercedes-Benz cars and vans.

Source: Bloomberg

David Chu, CEO, Georg Jensen

Georg Jensen has appointed David Chu – the original founder of Nautica – as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Chu previously served as Georg Jensen co-chair of the Board of Directors and chief creative officer. He will continue to serve as a board member as well as the chief creative officer, overseeing the design direction and strategy for all products.

Source: Retail Jeweller

Ann McLaughlin Korologos, Jean Tomlin, Board of Directors, Michael Kors

Michael Kors Holdings Limited has appointed Ann McLaughlin Korologos and Jean Tomlin to the Company’s Board of Directors. Ann McLaughlin Korologos is a former U.S. Secretary of Labor with extensive experience in the areas of international markets, marketing, regulatory and government affairs, policymaking and corporate governance.

Jean Tomlin has over 35 years experience in human resources, employee relations, training and development. Since 2006, Ms. Tomlin has served as Director, Human Resources of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Source: BusinessWire

Stuart Sklar, VP, Raymond Weil North America

Raymond Weil has appointed Stuart Sklar as vice president of North America. Sklar previously held the positions of vice president of national sales at Bulova, senior vice president at Movado Group, and president at Maurice Lacroix.

Source: JCK Online

François Tauriac, Managing Director, Richard Mille

Richard Mille has appointed François Tauriac as managing director. Mr. Tauriac has spent his entire career at the Figaro Group as a journalist, starting out in the politics department of the group’s French daily newspaper. He has also developed a number of innovative online and digital applications, including the first magazine television channel on YouTube: “Very Watch”.

Source: FHH

Sirinate Meenakul, Global Brand Director, Sofitel So

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has appointed Sirinate Meenakul as its first Global Brand Director for the Sofitel So label, the ‘boutique hotel’ vision of Sofitel. Mr. Meenakul has served almost two decades in the hospitality sector, and will spearhead and strategise the overall brand positioning of Sofitel So.

Source: eTravel Blackboard

Alessandra Facchinetti, Creative Director, Tod’s

Tod’s has hired former Gucci and Valentino designer Alessandra Facchinetti as creative director, where she will oversee the company’s womenswear line. Her first collection will be presented during the Milan fashion week in September 2013. Facchinetti, who debuted as designer of Prada’s edgy brand MiuMiu in 1994, made her name as creative head at Gucci, Moncler and Valentino.

Source: Reuters

Robin Page, Interior Design, Volvo

Volvo has hired the man responsible for designing the interiors of the Bentley Continental and Mulsanne. Bentley’s head of interior design, Robin Page, has confirmed he’s joining Volvo to head up the interior design department at the Swedish automaker.

Source: Motor Authority

Sue O’Brien, Board of Directors, Walpole

Sue O’Brien has been appointed to the Walpole board of directors, the luxury brands trade body that represents British brands. In addition to her new role, O’Brien has been the group chief executive of Norman Broadbent since 2008, and she created the Human Capital Consulting Group which helps deliver and assess innovative leaders of the future.

Source: Fashion United

For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Appointments: Bulgari, Burberry & Four Seasons
- The Latest Appointments: Harrods, Balenciaga & Louis Vuitton
- The Latest Appointments: Christie’s, Richemont & Ferrari

Franois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet

The Latest luxury industry appointments at Richemont, Burberry, Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Audemars Piguet, Givenchy, Cartier & Diet Coke

Kathleen Tayor is to leave the CEO post of Four Seasons hotels, after serving the Toronto-based hotelier since 1989. The company’s nine-member executive leadership team will assume management until a successor is found.

Over at Breitling, Franz La Rosee has stepped down, after serving as managing director of Breitling UK for the past 26 years. "I have enjoyed every one of those years and it has been my privilege to navigate the company through so many exciting, challenging and, sometimes stormy, seas,” he explained to Retail Jeweller.

Serge Jureidini has resigned as president of Lancme in the U.S. to become president and chief executive officer of Arcade Marketing. Jimmy Choo co-creative director, Simon Holloway, has also departed, leaving Sandra Choi as the sole creative director of the Labelux brand.

Finally, Mario Grauso will step down from his presidency at Vera Wang Group, and instead work with the brand as a consultant.

Bernard Fornas, Co-CEO, Richemont

Compagnie Financire Richemont SA has nominated Bernard Fornas – former CEO of Cartier – to the Board of Directors. The current joint deputy CEO will become Co-CEO alongside Richard Lepeu on April 1st, 2013, and remain a member of its Group Management Committee.

Source: Fox Business

Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO, Bulgari

LVMH have named Jean-Christophe Babin, who has led Tag Heuer since joining LVMH in 2000, as the new CEO at Bulgari. The appointment comes two months after Bulgari head Michael Burke was named successor to Louis Vuitton CEO Jordi Constans. Constans left a month after taking the post because of illness.

Source: Business Week

Carol Fairweather, CFO, Burberry

Burberry have announced a round of executive shake-ups, in which CFO Stacey Cartwright will step down to pursue other interests and be replaced by Carol Fairweather in July. Ms. Fairweather has been with the fashion group for six years, following service at News Corp’s British newspaper arm, News International.

Source: Reuters

John Smith, COO, Burberry

Burberry has also created a new COO role “to support the next phase of growth”, appointing media executive John Smith. Mr. Smith was most recently chief executive of BBC Worldwide, which sells content made by the British licence fee-funded broadcaster to other countries.

Source: Reuters

Laurent Feniou, Managing Director, Cartier UK

Laurent Feniou, a veteran banker at Rothschild in London has been hired as managing director of Cartier’s UK operations. Cartier has recently undergone a management overhaul that saw Stanislas de Quercize replace long-time Cartier chief Bernard Fomas at the end of 2012.

Source: Reuters

Riccardo Tisci, Creative Director, Givenchy

Givenchy creative designer, Riccardo Tisci, has extended his contract by three years with the LVMH-owned French house. Tisci joined Givenchy in 2005, which is now under the management leadership of former Prada executive Sebastian Suhl.

Source: WWD

Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Resorts & Spas

Pegasus Capital Advisors LP appointed Neil Jacobs, former president of Starwood Capital Group LLC’s hotel unit, to run its Six Senses Resorts & Spas division as it seeks to expand the ultra-luxury brand. Mr. Jacobs previously oversaw development of Starwood’s Baccarat and 1 Hotels brands.

Source: Bloomberg

Tara Ffrench-Mullen, Marketing & PR Director, Charlotte Olympia

Luxury footwear and accessory brand Charlotte Olympia has announced the appointment of Tara ffrench-Mullen as Global Marketing & PR Director, effective immediately. Tara previously worked in the PR and marketing team at L.K. Bennett.

Source: Fashion Monitor

Franois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO, Audemars Piguet

After serving as “general manager ad interim” since May 2012, Franois-Henry Bennahmias was recently made chief executive officer of the Audemars Piguet Group by the board of directors. The family-owned brand and previous CEO Phillipe Merk ended their collaboration last year due to “differences in company strategy.

Source: Watchtime

Marc Jacobs, Creative Director, Diet Coke

Marc Jacobs has been named Diet Coke’s new creative director for 2013, for which he has designed three cans, three bottles and three ad campaigns, each corresponding to a recent decade in fashion. One campaign features the designer himself stripping in a photo booth and posing in playful, pin-up-style ads.

Source: WWD

For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Appointments: Harrods, Balenciaga & Louis Vuitton
- The Latest Appointments: Christie’s, Richemont & Ferrari
- The Latest Appointments: PPR, Cadillac & Baccarat

An excerpt from Diane von Furstenberg’s Glossi

Montblanc teams up with Harrods to launch an in-store augmented reality experience, as Herms partners with Harper’s Bazaar to retail a limited collection online.

In the past month the digital luxury landscape has been dominated by the moves of the media and retailers. As the New York times announced restructuring measures to the tune of thirty senior journalists, Net-a-Porter announced its intention to launch a full-blown fashion glossy.

As Rupert Murdoch confirmed he will shutter The Daily – the iPad-only magazine he launched two years ago – social-shopping company ThisNext unveiled Glossi, a platform which allows users and brands to create their very own digital magazines.

But perhaps nothing was more surprising, than to hear that Herms will be retailing a selection of footwear on the eCommerce venture of fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar. Digital may have muddied the waters, but never have the lines between brand, retailer and publisher been so blurred.

Boucheron, Website

Jeweller Boucheron has relaunched its website in the colours of the new visual identity of the maison. Visitors can browse the portal in English, French, Japanese and Simplified Chinese, or take a virtual 360-degree tour through the Boucheron flagship store at Paris’s Place Vendme. For the first time, Boucheron is sharing the history of its founders and products, whilst boosting social connectivity with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube integration.

Website & Source: boucheron.com

Cartier, e-Commerce

Cartier has relaunched its e-Commerce offering in the United States, with an enhanced e-boutique and 360-degree product display and videos. Alongside the online boutique, the site offers information regarding after sales service, product maintenance and store locations, as well as dedicated sections to heritage, CSR projects, events, savoir-faire and social media.

Website: cartier.com
Source: Luxury Digital

Ferrari, App

Ferrari has launched an App for brand fanatics, offering users the opportunity to discover its rich history, simulate driving, wake up to the sound of a V12, take Ferrari-themed photos with RedCam or personalise devices with wallpapers. Built for the iPhone and iPad, the app comprises of photo galleries, videos and factsheets about current and classic models as well as selected Sports Prototype and Formula 1 cars.

Download: Ferrari Mania
Source: Luxury Daily

Georg Jensen Holition Gesture Experience from Holition AR on Vimeo.

Georg Jensen, Augmented Reality

Holition has created a unique application for the special launch of George Jensen’s ‘Fusion Ring Builder’ website. The website was activated to run in store using gesture to drive product selection, simply by selecting product with a hand gesture. The user can play and see the separate components of the Fusion ring come together from all angles using the iPad, or use one of Georg Jensen’s personalised iPads at Harrods, Selfridges London and Selfridges Manchester.

Website: georgjensen.com
Developer: Holition
Source: Retail Jeweller

Harper’s Bazaar, Herms, eCommerce

Herms is set to debut some of its products on ShopBazaar.com, the eCommerce site powered by fashion glossy Harper’s Bazaar. In the first e-commerce channel outside of its own website, the French luxury house will retail six shoe styles. “We thought it would be great to expand the introduction of Herms footwear to Bazaar’s audience,” explained Herms CEO USA Robert Chavez.

Website: ShopBazaar.com
Source: Fashion United

Luxure, iPad

Luxure has launched its inaugural iPad Edition, in a bid to showcase its existing magazine content in the most spectacular, insightful and explorative of climates. The iPad Edition of Luxure will provide insight into an array of photography complemented by the new retina display, alongside rich additional content via audio, video and animation.

Download & Source: Luxure

Montblanc, Virtual Pop-Up

Harrods London and Montblanc UK collaborated to produce a virtual pop-up store, featuring an extensive selection of artworks from the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection, permanently exhibited in Hamburg. By pointing a smartphone or tablet at the image displayed in one of the Montblanc Harrods windows, users could not only view the artworks, but purchase four exclusive Montblanc products through Harrods.

Website & Source: montblanc.com

Prada, iPad

In celebration of its Fall Winter 2012 menswear show in Paris, Prada collaborated with fashion illustrator Richard Haines, to produce a limited edition book featuring 150 artworks based on the collection. In the final chapter of the project the Italian brand has launched an iPad application, allowing users to take an interactive tour of a virtual palazzo designed by James Lima, to discover both the artworks and collection.

Download: Il Palazzo
Source: Prada

Shanghai Tang, App

In time for the holiday season, Shanghai Tang has launched apps on Facebook and Sina Weibo, allowing fans to create Christmas wish lists according to their Chinese zodiac sign and share it with their friends. The wish list is focused on Shanghai Tang’s Christmas collection of homeware, displayed in an animated kaleidoscope, and users can then personalise the products they want to include prior to sharing the final wish list with their friends.

Apps: Facebook, Sina Weibo

Whitewall, Website

Whitewall is pleased to announce the launch of the new beta version of Whitewallmag.com, which will continue to cover contemporary art, luxury lifestyle, fashion, and design, and how these industries intersect. Debuting on the eve of Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) 2012, the site will focus exclusively on pre- and day-to-day coverage of the fair.

Source: whitewallmag.com

For more in the series of The Latest Digital, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Digital: Balmain, Yoox & Mandarin Oriental
- The Latest Digital: Versace, Balenciaga & Ritz-Carlton
- The Latest Digital: BMW, Maserati & Salvatore Ferragamo

Dior Homme’s latest store in Miami

Burberry debuts retail as theatre in Chicago, Marni launches in three Chinese Mainland cities, as Hublot takes to the Philippines, United States, China & UAE

Audi, Ahmedabad, Dubai

Audi in partnership with Nixynova Motoren Pvt. Ltd have moved into a bigger showroom in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which will now display entire range of Audi cars that is on offer in the country.

The luxury brand has also opened its largest dealership in Dubai with local dealer Al Nabooda Automobiles, which will be display up to 57 new vehicles over three levels. The Audi Terminal Dubai features floor-to-ceiling screens displaying the complete Audi model range including all equipment options, features and technical details on a 1:1 scale.

Source: Rush Lane, Motor Authority

Boucheron, Hong Kong

Boucheron has debuted a new retail design concept in Hong Kong, a model that will be replicated across all the brand’s stores starting with an overhaul in Paris. The 80sqm space has been designed with luminosity in mind, harking back to the first atelier on Paris’ Place Vendome, where the workshop was flooded with light that highlighted the brilliance of the stones.

Source: FashionMag

Breguet, Abu Dhabi

Breguet has unveiled its latest boutique in Abu Dhabi, located in the high standing commercial building “Etihad Towers”. The 32nd monobrand boutique worldwide showcases a mix of timepieces and gem-set Haute Joaillerie creations across 60sqm, in keeping with its global retail design concept launched in 2012.

Source: Breguet

Burberry, Chicago

Burberry has launched its second largest store in North America in Chicago, meshing digital, entertainment and fashion in one seamless experience across five-floors. The store houses the first beauty consultation counter in North America and will carry an exclusive, limited edition collection of outerwear and non-apparel for both men and women, created to celebrate Burberry in Chicago.

Source: Brand Channel

Chanel Timepieces, Paris

Chanel has opened its first dedicated watch store in Europe on the first floor of Paris department store Galeries Lafayette, to house its Premire and J12 lines in addition to the new Mademoiselle Priv collection. The 25sqm concession is decorated in the brand’s signature black, beige and gold.

Source: WWD

Chopard, Abu Dhabi

Chopard has launched its latest boutique at Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall, in partnership with Abu Dhabi distributor Al Manara International Jewellery. Created by architect Thierry Despont, the dcor reflects that of a welcoming living room boasting fine woods for the floors and leather for the wall panels, store fixtures and furniture fronts and luscious velvet for curtains and upholstery.

Source: Luxos

Christian Louboutin, London

Christian Louboutin has unveiled its first store dedicated to men in the United Kingdom, to carry a range of shoes, sneakers, bags and accessories. The 170sqm Dover Street flagship has been realised by New York architects 212box, the same architects responsible for Christian Louboutin stores worldwide.

Source: FashionMag

Dior Homme, Miami

Dior Homme is the latest brand to launch in Miami’s new Design District, showcasing sleek architecture, minimalist decor, and luxe materials. To highlight the opening, Dior Homme collaborated with artist and photographer, Bruce Weber, to curate an exclusive film titled, “Can I Make the Music Fly,” that can be viewed here.

Source: The Fashionisto

Elie Saab, Geneva

Elie Saab has opened a new 155sqm boutique overlooking Lake Leman in Geneva, Switzerland. Saab himself, in collaboration with architect Chakib Richani, has designed the dual-level space. The store will showcase the designer’s accessories and ready-to-wear items from both the autumn and winter 2012-2013 and pre-fall 2012 collections.

Source: VMSD

Eterniti, London

London-based boutique luxury carmaker, Eterniti Motors, has officially launched its first showroom with a 930sqm facility in Park Royal, northwest London. Eterniti-owned showrooms will open in Asia in 2013, beginning with Hong Kong, which will serve as the company’s Asia-Pacific hub.

Source: Eterniti

Georg Jensen, London

Danish luxury lifestyle brand Georg Jensen, has unveiled its newest concession in Selfridges, London, designed by British architects Mark Pinney Associates. The 20sqm space is housed within the store’s designer jewellery room, showcasing fine jewellery, luxury fashion jewellery as well as the heritage range and contemporary silver pieces.

Source: Retail Jeweller

Gucci, Gurgaon

Gucci has opened its fifth and largest store in India at The Oberoi in Gurgaon, New Delhi, in keeping with the new design concept by Creative Director Frida Giannini. The near-400sqm space has been realised in ribbed glass, warm polished gold, smoked mirror and smoked bronze glass, recalling the elegance and richness of the Art Deco era.

Source: Daily Mail

Hublot, Atlanta, Abu Dhabi, Dalian, Manila

Hublot has unveiled the first of five North American boutiques to open in the coming three years, with a 92sqm space in Atlanta, operated in partnership with Ares Distributors. The brand has also opened a second boutique in Abu Dhabi, and a second boutique in Dalian, in partnership with Jinhua Watch & Jewelry.

Finally, the very first Hublot boutique in the Philippines has debuted at the newly opened Bonifacio High Street Central mall, Manila. The boutique design concept creatively reflects Hublot’s DNA of luxury and innovative design, bringing to life its vision of fusion.

Source: Hublot

Ittierre, Milan

Ittierre Group – producer of contemporary lines such as Pierre Balmain, C’N’C, Aquascutum, GF Ferr, Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld Paris – has debuted its first temporary department store in Milan. Housed over 1000sqm in Palazzo Gallarati Scotti, IT’S 30 MANZONI will offer principal collections of the group’s licensed brands.

Source: Vogue Italia

IWC, Beijing, Miami, Sao Paulo

IWC has unveiled flagship boutiques in Beijing, Miami & Sao Paulo. The Beijing store features a 300sqm bi-level glass cube facade, a brainchild of in-house designers and architects. Each boutique is fitted out with sumptuous dark woods and exquisite materials, inviting customers to explore the six fascinating watch families along with boutique-exclusive editions.

Source: IWC

Jaguar Land Rover, Beijing

Jaguar Land Rover has inaugurated its100th retail space in China, with the Beijing Changjiushida 4S Center in the heart of the city. The state-of-the-art repair centre and showroom, operated in partnership with the Changjiu Group, will have a workforce of around 110 people.

Source: Luxuo

Jitrois, Beijing

In partnership with Keyijili Ltd, Jean-Claude Jitrois has opened a flagship store in Beijing, marking the brands first boutique in Asia. The 250sqm space has been designed by Christophe Pillet, the architect responsible for all of the brands stores, in a luxury shopping centre in the Chaoyang district of the Chinese capital.

Source: FashionMag

Marni, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang

Marni has unveiled three Chinese flagship boutiques, in Shanghai’s REEL shopping centre, Nanjing’s Deji Plaza and a store in Shenyang, brining its presence to nine locations in the country. Marni creative director Consuelo Castiglioni worked closely with architecture firm Sybarite, the creators of the brand’s Beijing store, to create the spaces.

Source: Luxuo

Montblanc, Abu Dhabi

Montblanc has opened its latest boutique in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, offering the exclusive Bespoke Nib Service, which is currently available in just four Montblanc boutiques worldwide. The store will house luxury watches, jewellery and leather goods, as well as writing instruments and its customisation service. Curacao boutique pictured

Source: Luxos

Pucci, New York City

Pucci creative director Peter Dundas has unveiled the world’s largest Pucci store in New York, designed in collaboration with French architect Joseph Dirand, modelled after the Palazzo Pucci in Florence. The 250sqm store will form the design basis for future retail locations and feature the entire collection of Pucci ready-to-wear and accessories.

Source: Bloginity

TAG Heuer, Geneva

TAG Heuer has opened its first boutique in Geneva, with a 100sqm space located on Rue Robert-Card. The store will house the brand’s Lifestyle collection of accessories, as well as a range of sunglasses and luxury communication devices, Meridiist, Link and Racer, specially conceived by TAG Heuer.

Source: FHH

Vacheron Constantin, Lucerne

Vacheron Constantin has chosen Lucerne, in German-speaking Switzerland, for its latest boutique at 10 Kapellplatz. This warm and intimate setting is designed to offer a full immersion into the world of a company combining tradition with dynamic creativity.

Source: FHH

For more in the series of The Latest Boutiques, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Boutiques: Chlo, Brioni & Shang Xia
- The Latest Boutiques: Berluti, Dior & Saint Laurent Paris
- The Latest Boutiques: Hublot, Breguet & Assouline

Swatch Group purchase Harry Winston for $750 million, Renzo Rosso takes a controlling stake in Marni & Labelux sells Solange Azagury-Partridge back to its founder

Bought: Harry Winston, Swatch Group

The Swatch Group has acquired 100% of the shares of the US company HW Holdings, owner of fine jewellery brand Harry Winston, in a deal worth $750 million plus the assumption of up to $250 million of pro forma net debt. The Swatch Group Ltd. now controls the brand and all activities related to jewellery and watches, including the 535 employees worldwide and the production company in Geneva.

Source: Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

Speculation: Investindustrial, Aston Martin

Private equity fund Investindustrial is said to be near agreement to buy a stake in British sports-car manufacturer Aston Martin. Investindustrial, based in London, is said to have trumped Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (MM) to invest in the Gaydon, England-based automaker, but as yet a final agreement has not been signed.

Source: Bloomberg

Bought Back: Solange Azagury-Partridge, Labelux

In a continued bid to focus on luxury leather goods and footwear, Labelux have sold jewellery brand Solange Azagury-Partridge back to its founder. This follows the sale of Derek Lam back to its founders in November 2012, and allows the conglomerate to focus on its current portfolio that includes Bally, Jimmy Choo, Belstaff and Zagliani.

Source: FashionMag

Stake: Marni, Only the Brave

Diesel jeans brand founder Renzo Rosso has bought a majority stake in Marni, with plans to re-launch the Italian fashion house on foreign markets. The value of the deal has not yet been disclosed, but the acquisition was made through the businessman’s holding company, Only the Brave Srl.

Source: WWD

Acquired: Alain Mykli, Luxottica

Italy’s Luxottica, the world’s biggest premium eyewear maker, said on Friday it had signed a deal to buy French luxury eyewear maker Alain Mikli for around $117 million. The deal strengthens Luxottica’s luxury brands portfolio, the company added in a statement.

Source: Reuters

Acquired: AR New York, Publicis

Publicis Groupe has acquired AR New York, an agency specialised in working for marketers in fashion, beauty and luxury goods. Founded in 1996, AR works for, or has worked for, brands that include Asprey, Brioni, Dolce & Gabbana, Neiman Marcus, the St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, Valentino and Versace. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Source: NYTimes

Bought Back: Aman Resorts, Adrian Zecha

DLF, India’s biggest real estate company, has sold luxury hotel chain Amanresorts back to its founder, Adrian Zecha, for $300 million. The parties have signed a definitive agreement for a management buyout, and the deal is expected to close by February 2013.

Source: Financial Times

Speculation: Printemps, Galeries Lafayette

French department store Galeries Lafayette is said to be considering a buyout of rival retailer Printemps. The two fashion giants both have huge flagship stores – side by side – in Paris. Galeries Lafayette has already made public that it has significant international expansion plans, with ambitions to open between five and seven new overseas stores before 2015.

Source: Vogue UK

Stake: Sri Lim Kok Thay, Wider

Malaysian billionaire Sri Lim Kok Thay, whose luxury empire spans casinos and cruise liners, is to buy half of yacht maker Wider to expand into a fast-growing market in Asia, the founder of the Italian has revealed. Following a capital increase, the Malaysian billionaire will become the single biggest shareholder in Wider with a 50 percent stake owned by his vehicle EXA Ltd.

Source: Reuters

Bought: Investcorp, U.S. Real Estate

Bahrain-based alternative asset manager Investcorp has acquired five real estate assets in the United States for around $100 million. The investment firm most recently bought Danish luxury retailer Georg Jensen, from private equity firm Axcel Capital Partners for $140 million, following the sale of truck and trailer parts distributor FleetPride to TPG for over $1 billion.

Source: Reuters

Capital: Rocket Internet, PPR

PPR has invested $13 million into Rocket Internets’s holding company Bigfoot, which includes ‘amazon fashion clones’ in Russia (Lamoda), South America (Dafiti) and the Middle East (Namshi). PPR invested a similar amount in 2012 into fast growing social commerce start-up the Fancy.

Source: The Rude Baguette

Bought: KaDeWe, Signa

Austrian real estate firm Signa has acquired German department store KaDeWe, in addition to 16 further Karstadt locations. The real estate giant paid a reported $1.45 billion for the KaDeWe “Kaufhaus” building itself and the acquisition of Oberpolling in Munich and another Karstadt property.

Source: FashInvest

For more in the series of The Latest Investments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Investments: Aston Martin, Faberg & Christopher Kane
- The Latest Investments: Chanel, Marcolin & Orient Express
- The Latest Investments: Anya Hindmarch, Berluti & Harry Winston