Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Chimera Abu Dhabi (“Chimera”) and Haeres Capital (“Haeres’’) today announced their equal joint venture with the creation of ChimHaeres Investment Holding (“ChimHaeres”), a common investment vehicle that will deploy its own capital towards the acquisition and build-up of luxury and lifestyle brands in Europe, with a particular initial focus on Italy, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
ChimHaeres will be led by CEO Philippe Camperio who will be supported by a strong team of industry veterans, including Antonella di Pietro, Alberto Nathanson, Giacomo Santucci and Jérôme Macario, as well as a seasoned team of experts in the operations, financial, and legal fields.
Aiming at an immediate critical size, ChimHaeres just completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Zagato, the iconic Italian coachbuilder and car designer, founded in 1919. Simultaneously, ChimHaeres also acquired 100% of Vionnet, the French haute couture label founded in 1912 by iconic couturier Madeleine Vionnet and agreed on an investment for a majority stake in Fogal, the Swiss fashion hosiery brand founded in 1921. In addition, Haeres also contributed to ChimHaeres its majority equity stake in Borsalino, the world’s most famous hat manufacturer established in 1857 in Italy.
Building on these initial investments, and supported by a strong shareholder base, ChimHaeres remains on the lookout for investments in strong aspirational brands, aiming to accelerate its growth with a focus on international expansion, digital transformation, and sustainability.
Philippe Camperio, Founder of Haeres Capital and CEO of ChimHaeres, said: “ChimHaeres embodies the shared vision of both Chimera and Haeres to build and manage a multi-brands luxury and lifestyle platform. The partnership will invest in unique European assets applying a pro-active management and ownership approach, through dedicated industry experts, to deliver the long-term strategies of each portfolio company. I am delighted to be part of this new venture and look forward to working with our multi-disciplined team to deploy our proven business model in high-end brands.”
Mirian Khalaf, Head of Private Equity, Chimera Abu Dhabi, added: “The global luxury market has shown remarkable growth and resilience in recent years despite the pandemic and various macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges. We are confident that our partnership with Haeres will enable us to capitalise on the attractive long-term fundamentals of the industry and establish ourselves as a leading investor in the European lifestyle space. We look forward to working with Philippe and his team to position appealing “legacy” and “next gen” brands with favourable growth profiles to serve a younger and increasingly more global audience.”
Giovanni Maria Rossi, Chairman of ChimHaeres, concluded: “I strongly believe that thanks to the team, the vision, the experience, and the available capital now in place, ChimHaeres is ideally positioned to become a key player in the luxury industry in Europe.”
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About ChimHaeres
ChimHaeres is an investment company focused on aspirational luxury and lifestyle brands with high growth potential. The company, registered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) with operating entities in Italy (Milan) and Switzerland (Geneva), works alongside the management team of each portfolio company to help turn their vision into reality.
About Chimera Abu Dhabi
Chimera is an Abu Dhabi-based private investment firm. The firm manages a diversified portfolio of companies from numerous industries worldwide and has focused its investments on strategic companies that comply with its guiding principles of solid fundamentals, value creation, diversification and opportunity.
About Haeres Capital
Haeres Capital is a privately-owned company founded in 2011, engaged in the acquisition and management of luxury and lifestyle ventures; it was notably the lead investor in Borsalino, the world's most iconic hat brand founded in 1857 in Italy.
About Borsalino
Since 1857, Borsalino has represented the maximum expression of Italian excellence in the manufacturing of hats, with an artisan savoir-faire that has been handed down from generation to generation. Today the tradition of the Maison of Alessandria is expressed through a modern concept of beauty that combines creativity, spirit of innovation and manufacturing skill.
About Zagato
Founded in Milan in 1919 by Ugo Zagato, the company boasts an impressive array of coachbuilding masterpieces. Ugo’s experience in the aeronautics sector prior to his founding Zagato Atelier is evident in the company’s DNA. Thereafter, Zagato established itself as one of the world’s best Gran Turismo car body design companies due to their sleek and aerodynamic configurations. Since those early days, Zagato is world-renowned, providing innovative design collectible models for OEM brands leaders such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche.
About Vionnet
Founded in Paris in 1912 by Madeleine Vionnet, the company and brand ‘Vionnet’ is synonymous with revolutionary design and ethics in commerce. Considered “le couturier des couturiers”, British Vogue hailed her as "perhaps the greatest geometrician among all French couturiers". Madeleine Vionnet has been, and continues to be, an inspiration for the most innovative designers such as Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Azzedine Alaia and Issey Miyake.
About Fogal
Founded in Switzerland in 1921 by Léon Fogal, the company has carefully curated its reputation as the world's finest legwear brand. The definition of timeless fashion, the product’s DNA distinguishes itself from competitors by creating collections with innovative style and myriad color.
For further information, please contact:
ChimHaeres
Italian Press Office : SEC and Partners (Milan,Rome)
Michele Calcaterra | |
Matteo Steinbach |
Chimera Abu Dhabi
Marie Peguilhan
E. chimeracapital@kekstcnc.com
www.chimerainvestment.com
Haeres Capital
Haeres Capital Press Office
E. info@haeres-capital.com