French fashion brand Chanel acquires Italian denim manufacturer FashionArt SpA in order to expand its presence in the high-end denim market. FashionArt SpA specialises in manufacturing jeans and other denim garments, andChanel aims to leverage the company’s ‘Made in Italy” expertise. The acquisition will also allow Chanel to focus on sustainable practices.
The brand confirmed that it will take a 60 per cent stake in the company, but did not disclose the value of the transaction. The move comes as part of FashionArt’s ongoing expansion into the top-tier denim segment while also improving sustainable practices.
Despite Chanel owning ten specialised manufacturing companies, FashionArt SpA is the first and only one that specialises in denim and jeans production.
“Chanel and FashionArt have been working together for 15 years and have entered this partnership because they share the same vision,” explained Andrea Rambaldi, Founder, FashionArt SpA.
Along with leather,silk, nylon, etc., FashionArt SpA produces denim clothing in Indigo, dwelling 80 per cent in womenswear and 20 per cent in menswear.
Chanel explains that in order to describe the manufacturer’s expertise, “rather than the traditional method of starting with the printing of the fabric, FashionArt’s artisans first make the garment. It is then cut up, and depending on the desired effects, it is then passed through powder-based abrasion, laser cutting, 3D printing of patterns, working with jacquard, adding embroidery or a tweed yoke. The last step consists of meticulously reassembling the garment to its original form.”
The company works with 15 certified partners who are located close by to produce garments. Additionally, it also has an in-house design set-up where it handles the entire development cycle, including the preparation of patterns, grading and prototype. FashionArt SpA is turning into the brand’s favourite, pick thanks to an external production chain that complies with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
