Puig to Buy Jean Paul Gaultier?
With Jean Paul Gaultier no longer at the creative helm of Hermès (his final collection was shown last October), the French luxury brand’s 45 percent stake in his company is reportedly up for grabs—and several potential bidders have already emerged.
Though the designer himself still controls the remaining 55 percent of his namesake company, he’s reportedly looking to sell part of his own holding, and according to Reuters, Spanish fashion and beauty group Puig is the front-runner for the purchase.
Should Puig buy Hermès’ stake and a portion of Gaultier’s, it could gain control of Jean Paul Gaultier as a primary shareholder.
The beauty-focused Puig, based in Barcelona, owns Carolina Herrera and Nina Ricci as well as fragrance licenses for Prada; American Inter Parfums holdings group has also shown interest. China’s Li & Fung was reportedly interested, but has withdrawn from the bidding.
While Jean Paul Gaultier is currently a loss-making company, revenues have been steadily climbing over the last two years.
Meanwhile, check out Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fall 2011 collection.
