The race to secure La Perla‘s future has reached a pivotal stage. Following the deadline for expressions of interest, around 20 bidders—primarily international players—have gained access to the virtual data room containing the financial and operational details of the iconic Italian lingerie brand, which is currently under extraordinary administration. These interested parties now have approximately one month to analyze the company’s situation before submitting binding offers.
La Perla
Buyers will submit sealed bids in May, and the strongest offer will follow shortly after. La Perla’s sale will close by the end of June. The deal includes La Perla Manufacturing, which operates the brand’s Bologna production facility, along with a brand licensing agreement with a purchase option. The sale may also cover La Perla Global Management UK’s Italian operations and its subsidiaries in the UAE and China.
Sources close to the deal reveal that most interested parties are international companies. However, Sandro Veronesi, founder of Oniverse (formerly Calzedonia)—whose name had been widely speculated—is not on the bidders’ list.
That said, new contenders could still enter the race. A buyer could still submit a binding offer without having previously expressed interest, though doing so would mean placing a bid without access to La Perla’s confidential financial data—a considerable risk in a high-stakes acquisition.
eBay continues to develop its fashion resale category introducing a “groundbreaking” editorial and fashion film project, ‘The Goat Dancer’, culminating in the launch of an inspirational fashion edit.
The digital retail giant is “championing the transformative potential of pre-loved fashion sourced entirely on eBay” by joining forces with fashion photographer Nick Knight, stylist Lara McGrath and creative film/photography venue ShowStudio to develop the project.
With McGrath having established “an inventive and outré approach to styling” and Knight being “captivated by the stylist’s ability to layer and style pre-loved garments into visionary ensembles”, the stylist documents mirror portraits of herself in public changing rooms.
The ShowStudio collaboration brings that creative spirit to life “offering a treasure trove of fashion finds – all £50 and under – ready to be revived and reimagined”.
From scoring Jil Sander shoes for £30 to finding beauty in a Per Una chiffon top, repurposing a kimono into a fishtail skirt, or transforming a bedspread into a dramatic cape, “the project showcases the endless possibilities of second-hand fashion reimagined”.
With old-school glamour inspiring the hair look for the shoot created by Eugene Souleiman, and noughties-inspired make-up by Lynski, Knight and McGrath “crafted a surreal visual narrative that highlights the potential of reimagining fashion through sustainability and artistry”.
Live-streamed on ShowStudio, the shoot “celebrates individuality, reinvention, and the thrill of uncovering hidden gems in pre-loved fashion on eBay—proving that style, creativity, and sustainability go hand in hand”.
To celebrate the collaboration, eBay has also curated an exclusive ShowStudio x Lara McGrath edit featuring secondhand fashion pieces inspired by the shoot, “inviting designers to reimagine archival and pre-loved styles into fresh, relevant works of art that transcend time”.
Dior announced on Wednesday the opening of a new store in Vienna, Austria.
Dior opens new boutique in Vienna’s Goldenes Quartier. – Dior
Located on Tuchlauben Street in the Goldenes Quartier, the city’s luxury fashion epicenter, the boutique spans over 1,000 square meters and houses Dior’s diverse collections, from women’s and men’s ready-to-wear to bags, shoes and accessories, including jewelry, Dior maison lines and perfumes.
The boutique is enhanced by a signature concept designed by architect Peter Marino, defined by a refined atmosphere illuminated by light tones. Design details combining cabochon stone, wood, Versailles parquet flooring and moldings create an ultra-contemporary aesthetic, while honouring the House’s storied heritage.
Honoring Christian Dior’s passion for art and design, the boutique features a magnetic installation by Claudia Wieser, paintings by Christian Eisenberger, Rudolf Polanszky, John McAllister, Maysha Mohamedi, Ross Bleckner, and Donald Sultan, as well as creations by Étienne Moyat and Franck Évennou. Photographic prints on mirror by Marc Swanson and a striking bronze sculpture by Philippe Pasqua add to the boutique’s artistic allure.
The boutique’s furniture selection also contributes to its distinct identity, featuring pieces from designers such as Claude Lalanne, Studio Glithero, Alasdair Cooke, Ado Chale, Delos & Ubiedo, Gary Noffke, Osvaldo Borsani, Ginger & Jagger, and B G Robinson.
Completing the space is the display of multiple reinterpretations of the iconic Lady Dior bag. In the boutique’s window, a multitude of variations is presented, sublimated by minerals—a feat of Isaac Monté—creating a chromatic finish. Within the store, visitors can explore a dedicated wall celebrating the ninth edition of the Dior Lady Art project, by several international artists.
Bernard Arnault, 76, could remain at the helm of the world’s largest luxury group LVMH until he’s 85 if shareholders back a company proposal at its annual shareholder meeting on April 17.
Reuters
Investors in LVMH, which owns high-end labels including Louis Vuitton, Dior and Tiffany, will vote on a change to company bylaws raising the maximum age of its chairman and chief executive officer from 80, according to a company filing.
The maximum age was already increased from 75 in 2022.
Arnault, who is CEO, chairman and, along with his family, controlling shareholder of LVMH, built his sprawling empire spanning hotels and fashion houses through acquisitions.
Chairman of the company since 1989, the tycoon has not publicly named a successor. Every high-level management change is highly scrutinised, kicking off a fresh round of speculation over which of his five children might succeed him.
All of Arnault’s children hold top management positions in the group. The eldest, Delphine, 49, and Antoine, 47, are children from his first marriage.
Alexandre, 32, Frederic, 30, and Jean, 26, are children of the luxury executive’s current wife, Helene Mercier.