Someone is planning to buy. Someone else does not want to be bought out though. After the acquisition of Versace, carried out by Michael Kors, the fashion system, especially in Italy, is being affected by several rumours about prospective and possible first-level Merger & Acquisition deals. The WWD.com portal has recently launched the “Valentino speculation”. The fashion brand, bought out in 2012 by Mayhoola for Investments (buyout price was 858 million dollars) and literally on fire since then, is allegedly wanted by Kering. According to WWD, Marco Bizzarri, chief executive officer of Gucci, apparently got in touch, one year ago, with Mayhoola, while submitting a bid. Yesterday Kering responded by firmly saying “no comment”. Yet, reportedly, the French giant is also interested, according to several rumours, in the buyout of Ferragamo. Any further Italian appealing brands to be acquired? Moncler, which yet might be, at the same time, a potential buyer of Valentino, according to rumours. However, Remo Ruffini, during the recent Pambianco/Deutsche Bank Luxury Summit, denied both speculations. The same applies to Diego Della Valle, who firmly denied any company transfer while replying to Equita’s analysts: they assumed that Tod’s reorganization would bring to a prospective transfer of the brand. Conversely, the news about the transfer of Trussardi, to be acquired by the Quattro R fund, looks very well-founded; likewise, Clessidra fund, which is the owner of Roberto Cavalli, is allegedly searching for a partnership to expand their business (though, according to someone, the fashion brand is most likely to be sold). Apparently, Philippe Plein is thinking over new development strategies as well: next year, he announced in Milan, he will make his debut in the world of licences, though he is “ready to make possible acquisitions”. In such context, Chinese investors are playing a role too. For example, Shandong Ruyi, owners of SMCP and Bally, during the recent New York Times International Luxury Conference, held in Hong Kong, announced their plans about kind of “Europe’s campaign” to widen their own brand portfolio. Qiu Yafu, president of Ruyi Fashion Holding Group, plainly confirmed the company’s intentions: “If a brand is good, we want to buy it then”. Quite simple, isn’t it?
What if Kering buy out Valentino? Acquisition fever is still very high, despite a few denial
