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Marquee Brands has entered a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Italian brand Roberto Cavalli, the New York-based brand management company announced on Wednesday. It did not disclose the terms of the acquisition.<\/p>\n
Roberto Cavalli is Marquee\u2019s first luxury acquisition. Its current brand portfolio includes BCBG, Laura Ashley, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. \u201cRoberto Cavalli stands as one of luxury\u2019s defining Italian houses, with a bold creative identity and enduring brand ethos,\u201d Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands, said in a statement. \u201cWe see extraordinary potential to build on that foundation through thoughtful brand stewardship and strategic expansion. In partnership with Damac, a leader in luxury real estate, we will continue to elevate the Roberto Cavalli experience worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roberto Cavalli was founded in 1970 by the late Roberto Cavalli, and the brand broke into the mainstream with a string of buzzy red carpet moments throughout the nineties and early 2000s, earning famous fans from Aaliyah to Jennifer Lopez. \u201cAfter 25 years, Roberto Cavalli has been discovered,\u201d the designer joked<\/a> in 2001. Cavalli, who died in 2024<\/a>, stepped down from his eponymous label in 2015 and sold a majority stake to private equity firm Clessidra. Peter Dundas and Paul Surridge subsequently took turns serving as creative director. In 2019, Dubai-based Damac Properties acquired 100% of the brand, which it has held until today. Damac remains a shareholder. Fausto Puglisi has been the creative director since 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cRoberto Cavalli is one of the most distinctive luxury brands in the world. After several years of solidifying the brand\u2019s foundation, we set out to find a strategic partner with the skillset to take the brand to the next level. We are confident Marquee Brands is the right partner to do so,\u201d Hussain Sajwani, founder of Damac Group, said in a statement. Going forward, Damac will expand the brand via branded residences and hospitality projects, he added. \u201cThis collaboration marks an exciting new era for the brand. We look forward to its significant future expansion.\u201d<\/p>\n The group plans to introduce new categories to the brand and expand its touchpoints across Europe, the UK, the US, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.<\/p>\n Marquee is the latest in a line of brand management firms looking to push into the luxury space. Just last week, WHP Global announced its much-anticipated acquisition<\/a> of Marc Jacobs from LVMH. Milan-based partner The Level Group (TLG) will be Marquee\u2019s core operating partner and lead the development, manufacturing, and distribution of Cavalli collections, as well as the brand\u2019s retail and e\u2011commerce operations and wholesale distribution.<\/p>\n \u201cMarquee Brands has established a proven, capital\u2011efficient business model for driving growth through disciplined brand management, strategic partnerships, and a long-term investment horizon,\u201d Zachary Sigel, managing director at Neuberger and co-founder of Marquee Brands, said in a statement.<\/p>\n More from this author:<\/strong><\/p>\n Kaia Gerber and Re\/Done\u2019s CEO Talk Building an All-American Brand<\/a><\/p>\n LuxExperience\u2019s Q3 Revenues Reflect Turnaround<\/a><\/p>\n A To-Do List for Marc Jacobs\u2019s New Owner<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n