Does Investcorp Still Own Gucci?

Investcorp is a prominent global investment group that has made significant investments in various sectors, including luxury fashion. One of its most notable investments was its acquisition of the Italian luxury fashion brand Gucci in 1989. However, many people are curious about whether Investcorp still owns Gucci or if the company has since divested from the brand.

Investcorp’s acquisition of Gucci in 1989 marked a significant turning point for the luxury fashion industry. At the time, Gucci was struggling financially and facing significant competition from other luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel. However, Investcorp saw potential in the brand and invested heavily to transform it into a global powerhouse.

In the years following its acquisition of Gucci, Investcorp implemented several strategic initiatives that helped to revitalize the brand. This included hiring Tom Ford as creative director in 1994, who helped to modernize Gucci’s image and make it more relevant to younger consumers.

However, Investcorp’s ownership of Gucci was short-lived. In 1993, Investcorp sold a majority stake in Gucci to an investment group led by Maurizio Gucci, a member of the founding family. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for Gucci that saw several ownership changes and power struggles within the company.

In 1999, French luxury conglomerate LVMH attempted to acquire Gucci but was ultimately unsuccessful due to legal battles between the two companies. Instead, Gucci turned to another French conglomerate, Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR), for support.

PPR acquired a majority stake in Gucci in 2001 and later consolidated its ownership of the brand under its new name Kering (formerly known as PPR). Today, Kering is one of the world’s largest luxury fashion conglomerates and owns several other high-end brands such as Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta.

In conclusion, Investcorp’s ownership of Gucci was a pivotal moment in the luxury fashion industry and helped to transform the brand into the global powerhouse it is today. However, Investcorp no longer owns Gucci, and the brand is now part of the Kering conglomerate. Despite this change in ownership, Gucci remains one of the most iconic and influential luxury fashion brands in the world.