INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Versace sells leopard-print sweatshirts for 2,100 euros ($2,470) and 995-euro tartan-covered sneakersHandbag maker Michael Kors Holdings is
nearing an agreement to buy Gianni Versace after the Italian fashion house known for its baroque designs drew interest from several suitors,
people familiar with the plans said.Michael Kors may announce a deal as early as this week that values Versace at about $2 billion, said the
people, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private
Donatella Versace, who has helped run the company with her brother Santo Versace since the murder of their sibling Gianni in 1997, has
called a meeting with employees Tuesday to announce the sale, according to two people familiar with the situation
Kors shares slumped the most since May.Blackstone Group owns 20 percent of Versace, which sells leopard-print sweatshirts for 2,100 euros
($2,470) and 995-euro tartan-covered sneakers
The private equity firm plans to sell its stake in the deal, according to a person familiar with the situation.A representative for Versace
declined to comment on the potential transaction
Michael Kors couldn't immediately be reached
A spokesman for Blackstone had no comment
While talks are advanced, no final agreements have been reached, the people said.London-based Kors last year snapped up shoemaker Jimmy Choo
for about 896 million pounds ($1.2 billion), expanding beyond its namesake brand
Now, it's vying with Coach owner Tapestry to build a United States -based multibrand fashion empire along the lines of Paris-based
conglomerates LVMH and Kering.Kors, whose shares are listed in New York, alarmed investors earlier this year when it reported a decline in
retail sales under its main brand in the Americas, even as the smaller European and Asian markets fared better
The shares had recovered since then, trading 15 percent higher for the year through the end of last week, with Choo boosting the latest
quarterly results.But word that a deal is close sent Kors shares down almost 9 percent to as low as $66.33 in New York Monday, the biggest
intraday drop since May 30.Versace, known for its flamboyant style and Medusa-head logo, hired Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Akeroyd in
2016 from Alexander McQueen
The company had been working toward an initial public offering, though market conditions haven't allowed it to move ahead.The Versace
family, which owns 80 percent of the company, will continue to have a role under any agreement, the people familiar with the situation said
Donatella serves as creative director, while Santo is chairman.Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported earlier that Versace could be
sold this week for about $2 billion, with several groups interested including Kors and Tiffany Co
and Tapestry also looked at Versace in recent months, according to a report on Sunday by Women's Wear Daily.Versace had revenue of 686
million euros and returned to profit in 2017, according to figures provided by the company
The brand has been at its most prominent in years since a hit show last September at Milan Fashion Week
In a tribute to Gianni, Donatella Versace brought back the most iconic looks from his collections spanning the 1990s, including silk blouses
mixing leopard prints with images of baroque architecture
the headline, this story has not been edited by TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
