OTB Acquires Jil Sander

MILAN, ITALY — In December 2020, D.M. Fashion Book reported that Renzo Rosso, founder of OTB, was looking to acquire German fashion house Jil Sander (see it here).

Earlier this year, OTB confirmed to WWD that it was interested in acquiring the Jil Sander brand and was conducting due diligence (see it here).

When we originally reported our stories, the Jil Sander brand was controlled by Onward Holdings Co. Ltd., the Tokyo-listed apparel group, which bought the brand in 2008 from London-based private equity company Change Capital Partners for 167 million euros.

At the time we reported our original story, we also confirmed that according to a Milan-based source, Onward Holdings tapped Nomura as adviser and OTB was said to be in exclusive talks with the Japanese group.

The Jil Sander brand has a new owner and is now controlled by OTB.

 OTB said Friday it has acquired 100 percent of the Jil Sander brand.

Financial details were not immediately available at the time of this post.

“I have admired and respected Jil Sander since the fashion house was first established,” said Renzo Rosso, founder and president of OTB. “Despite the changes of ownership and creative direction, the house has always stayed true to its founder’s vision, maintaining an absolute commitment to beauty, quality, and its signature minimalist approach. To be able to welcome this timeless jewel to our group of unique, unconventional labels is an honor and a long-term undertaking.”

In 2019, we reported that OTB brought a minor stake in Mike Amiri‘s namesake brand (see it here). While growing Diesel into a global sportswear brand over the years, Rosso has been building a diversified fashion group under OTB. Rosso purchased a majority stake in Maison Margiela in 2002, appointing John Gallino creative director in 2014 (see it here). In 2008, he acquired a majority stake in Viktor & Rolf and in 2012 (to be sure, in 2019, OTB raised its stake in the brand to 70%) , he bought Marni, in 2015 taking full control of the brand, naming Francesco Risso creative director, after the exit of founder Consuelo Castiglioni in 2016 (see it here).

The group also controls manufacturing arm Brave Kid. Staff International, based in Italy’s Veneto region was bought by Rosso in 2000, and produces and distributes collections for Dsquared2, among others.

OTB also bought accessories company Paula Cademartori in 2016.

Renzo Rosso was interested in buying luxury fashion house Roberto Cavalli through his OTB holding company, Il Sole 24 Ore (see it here). Staff International, under the OTB umbrella, is Just Cavalli’s licensee, and its parent company presented an expression of interest with a recapitalization of 164 million euros, according to a court filing to request a restructuring plan with creditors presented at the time by Cavalli. The brand was eventually sold to the founder and chairman of Dubai-based Damac Properties, Hussain Sajwani in 2019 (see it here).

Jil Sander is now designed by Luke and Lucie Meier, who took over the company’s creative direction in 2017 (see it here) after Rodolfo Paglialunga’s three-year stint. The Meiers have been developing a clear, focused vision for the brand by reworking its signature minimalism with a poetic, warm and very personal attitude, mainly conveyed through artisanal details and unique materials.

Jil Sander was founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 1968 by the namesake designer, who rose to fame in the Eighties and Nineties with her tailored basics crafted from luxurious fabrics, selling her company to the Prada Group in 1999. Sander herself left the brand six months later after clashes with Prada chief Patrizio Bertelli, only to be lured back again in May 2003 — then to leave again in November 2004, and return in 2012, eventually leaving for good in 2013.

She was succeeded by Milan Vukmirovic, who did sporty disco flash until Sander returned in May 2003. After her second departure, the brand’s creative reins were handed over to its longstanding design team. Prada then tapped Raf Simons as Sander’s new creative director in 2005. He exited in 2012.

Prada sold the company to Change Capital Partners in 2006.

Photos Credit: Jil Sanders