Maus Frères finalises acquisition of The Kooples
Maus Frères announced its entry into exclusive negotiations with the owners of The Kooples Group in March. The Swiss group, owner of brands including Aigle, Gant and Lacoste, officialised on Tuesday its takeover by informing the shareholders of The Kooples; Elicha family members and the fund LBO France.
Maus Frères, which was awaiting the green light from the French competition authority that it received on May 20, noted that it had acquired the totality of the group. The amount for the transaction was not disclosed.
“This acquisition, which was made in a friendly way, illustrates the strategic direction of the group: to develop and acquire premium accessible luxury brands with the view to creating a global fashion and luxury giant,” commented Thierry Guibert, president of Maus Frères International, the Swiss group’s division for fashion brands. “The Kooples will remain an independent brand but will benefit from the synergies and savoir-faire developed by other labels of the group – Lacoste, Aigle, Gant, Technifibre – to develop further and win over the wardrobes of the world.”
As FashionNetwork.com revealed last Friday, the label, which generated €227 million in sales last year and operates 334 stores across 32 markets, has entrusted its management to a Maus Frères stalwart: Romain Guinier, who spent 10 years as the CEO of Aigle, will become CEO at The Kooples. He will be responsible for international development at the label, while respecting its glam rock DNA, The Kooples said.
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