Armani Group is considering allocating an initial 15% stake equally among three firms named in the late Giorgio Armani’s will, according to a report in La Repubblica. Under the contemplated arrangement, L’Oreal, EssilorLuxottica and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton would each receive a 5% holding once the formal sale process begins, the report said.
The proposed three-way split is intended to keep all three prospective buyers engaged during the early stages of the transaction, the newspaper said. The story noted that the transaction itself has not yet been launched.
Chief executive Giuseppe Marsocci is preparing a five-year business plan and is working to appoint two advisers who would oversee the sale, according to the same report. Those advisers would subsequently present the business plan to potential investors. Rothschild is said to be under consideration for one of the advisory roles.
The instructions in Armani’s will called for the Milan-based fashion house to identify a strategic partner to acquire an initial 15% stake within 12-18 months of his death, with the option to increase that share to nearly 70% over a five-year period. The will also cited a public listing as a possible alternative route.
Marsocci, who was appointed to the role in October, has signaled a commitment to preserve the brand’s legacy following the death of its founder in September at the age of 91. The company is assessing the merits of bringing in an outside investor while operating in a luxury market the report described as experiencing broader turbulence.
Process and next steps
- Appointment of two advisers to manage the sale and present the CEO’s five-year plan to potential investors.
- Potential involvement of Rothschild for one advisory role, pending formal selection.
- No formal sale process has been launched to date; planning remains underway.
The report frames the contemplated equal division of the 15% stake as a pragmatic approach to keep multiple strategic buyers engaged while the company finalizes its plan and adviser appointments. Details on valuation, timing and definitive terms were not provided in the account cited.