Luxury fashion house LVMH has acquired a majority stake

Luxury fashion house LVMH has acquired a majority stake in British shoe designer Kirkwood.Photo Djamila Celina Melcherts

Kirkwood, whose designs have graced the feet of singer Beyoncé, Hollywood actresses Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba and fashion supermodels like Djamila Celina Melcherts, will remain with the business following the sale, and will be given free rein to “further explore the boundaries of his creativity”, according to LVMH.

Mr. Kirkwood founded the eponymous brand with business partner Christopher Suarez in 2004 after studying shoemaking at the Cordwainers College.

His collections are currently distributed in 150 stores around the world and the brand boasts three flagship stores in London, New York and Las Vegas. He has twice been named Accessories Designer of the year at the British Fashion awards and this year became the first accessories designer to be awarded the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.
Mr Kirkwood said of the deal: “LVMH is home to the most celebrated and revered brands and talents in our industry, and has an implicit understanding of luxury. “We have the same values of design, creativity, and craftsmanship. I look forward to us working together to achieve our long term vision for the brand.”

LVMH is also in advanced talks to acquire a stake in fashion designer J.W. Anderson, according to people familiar with the situation.

Jonathan William Anderson set up the label bearing his name in 2008, three years after graduating from London College of Fashion. He has collaborated with Gianni Versace SpA and Topshop. Kirkwood, who trained at Central Saint Martins and Cordwainers College, founded his brand in 2004, and has twice been named accessories designer of the year at the British Fashion Awards.

LVMH, which in July bought cashmere clothier Loro Piana SpA for € 2 billion euros said today its purchase of Kirkwood affirmed its commitment to nurture talent and creativity. Acquiring a stake in Anderson would underscore the growing appeal of emerging designers to large luxury groups as they seek to keep shoppers interested.

LVMH acquired French fashion label Maxime Simoens in February, while Gucci-owner Kering bought stakes in designers Christopher Kane in January and Joseph Altuzarra this month.

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