Calzedonia, the Veneto group headed by Sandro Veronesi, announced the purchase of 80% of the company that bears the Sardinian designer's name Antonio Marras. The goal is to make investments suitable for the full relaunch of the Sardinian designer's brand, making available his experience in retail and production, as well as his financial strength, to develop the potential of the well-known Sardinian designer. At the same time, Antonio Marras will continue to devote himself to the creation and creation of unique clothes, accessories, furnishing accessories inspired by his art.
“The agreement, reads a note, provides that the Calzedonia group makes available its experience in retail and production, as well as its financial strength, to develop the potential of the well-known Sardinian designer. Antonio Marras he will continue to devote himself to the creation and creation of unique clothes, accessories, furnishing accessories and so on, inspired by his art”.
“This agreement – declares the president of the Calzedonia Group Sandro Veronesi – represents our group's entry into a world of high exclusivity and creativity that is new to us and therefore to be approached with prudence and respect. However, we are convinced that the art and intuition of Antonio Marras supported by our organization can bear excellent results”. “I am happy to have concluded this agreement with Sandro Veronesi. Finally I will be able to devote myself exclusively to the creative aspect, certain that there are professionals of the highest caliber at my side who will accompany me in this new adventure” says Marras.
Marras joins the seven brands of the Calzedonia group. For Signorvino new investments
In addition to the brand that gives its name to the entire group, the Calzedonia Group also includes brands Intimissimi, Intimissimi Man e tezenis for the "intimate" sector. To these was added in 2009 the cashmere brand falconeri and since 2015 the brand has also been part of the group Atelier Eme, which creates and produces wedding and formal wear.
Instead, exiting the clothing sector, Calzedonia also added signorvino, with the aim of enhancing Italian wines through a short marketing network between producer and consumer: just last July, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Signorvino's birth, Veronesi announced that he also wanted to bring it to Paris and start a project with investments for around 20 million euros which will soon lead to the creation of an ad hoc corporate structure separate from the rest of the Group, according to some industry sources.
With the company of Antonio Marras a further element of diversification is added to the Group. “We lacked a pret-à-porter brand, with all the know-how that this implies, from fashion shows to communication, from different distribution to communication” said Veronesi. "It was a satisfactory agreement for everyone and Antonio, with the share he will keep, is an integral part of the future of the brand and of the company".
In 2021, the Calzedonia Group saw a turnover of 2,505 billion euros, over half of which was destined for exports, with an increase of 29,1% at current exchange rates (+30,5% at constant exchange rates) compared to the 1,941 billion euro as at 31 December 2020. Compared to 2019, the group increased its turnover by 3,9 percent. In recent months, the Calzedonia group has made investments in technological and digital infrastructures with the aim of synergistically integrating physical and online points of sale. In 2021, the group had 5.076 points of sale, of which 3.288 abroad.
