Naples-based Arav Fashion group will close the current fiscal year with double-digit growth as it accelerates Richmond’s lifestyle projects and continues to invest in retail for Silvian Heach. FashionNetwork.com met the Italian company’s CEO, Mena Marano, in Milan.

What are you presenting for the debut at the Salone del Mobile 2026?
In the 500 square metre mega-stand, we will showcase the Richmond furniture project launched a year ago with Formitalia, and the master plan for luxury residences developed with real estate company Mira and curated by architect Marco Casamonti. We are starting with five projects across the Middle East and Georgia, with plans to scale globally. The first residences in Dubai will be delivered at the end of 2026. The development consists of seven towers (including one used as offices) for a total of 360 Richmond-branded apartments, from ceramics to furnishings, across an area of more than 13,000 square metres The apartments are priced at €7,000 per square metre, and the largest covers 150 square metres.

New openings planned?
By the end of the year we will have a Richmond corner at TSUM in Moscow. In 2026, new locations will open in the Middle East, in continuity with the real estate project in the region. Today we have six Richmond stores worldwide, and we are implementing several initiatives that will bring greater visibility to the brand.

Where will the next Richmond fashion show be?
Still in London (the last one took place at Stereo in Covent Garden, ed.). We want to continue the ‘Culture Vulture’ tour, which will once again take in the three European fashion capitals, including Milan and Paris, during the next fashion week season. The concept creates a new environment to bring the brand’s community together.

How are Silvian Heach’s investments progressing?
During the February 2026 fashion week we will unveil the new retail concept in Milan with a relocation to a 200 square metre space on Corso Como. We have opened stores in Cosenza and Nola, but the goal is to reach 20 directly operated mono-brand stores over the next three years. We are strengthening our presence at international trade fairs, from CIFF in Copenhagen to Coterie in New York. Trade fairs remain highly relevant. We recently launched fragrances with an event in Cannes. 

How is Arav’s business doing?
We will close the current fiscal year on 30 March 2026 with 10% growth. In 2024, we reached €70 million in turnover, 70% of which was generated by Richmond. The market is going through an unstable phase, and people are slowing down because they want to understand what is happening. Instead, today more than ever, you have to be bold. We are betting on the right value-for-money proposition. People are tired of being taken for a ride. We need to deliver emotion, but one that is also ‘reasonable’. 

How significant is the junior division?
Today, we have a very substantial childrenswear portfolio with Cavalli, Richmond, Trussardi, and (the latest arrival) North Sails. When we took over the Just Cavalli kids’ licence, distribution had to be built from scratch and we went from zero to 100 clients in a single season.

Have you integrated AI into business processes?
We have just signed an agreement with a third-party company with the goal of training all 200 of our employees with a specific focus on artificial intelligence. Everyone who works with us will undertake targeted training, with ad hoc courses for the product, marketing, customer service, and administration divisions. It is a year-long training programme, and it kicks off now.