Sergio Rossi

Sergio Rossi is an Italian fashion brand that focuses on footwear. Founded in Italy in 1951, the brand was later acquired by the Gucci Group in 1999. It became a part of the Kering Group under François Pinault, from 2005 until 2016, when Investindustrial fully acquired the brand. In June 2021, Fosun Fashion Group (FFG) announced that it had come to an agreement to acquire Sergio Rossi. The ownership was transferred to the Lanvin Group in October 2021. History Founded in 1951 in San Mauro Pascoli, the brand takes its name from founder Sergio Rossi, who inherited the tools and traditions of shoemaking from his father. At first, Rossi worked through the winter making sandals that he would later sell on the beaches of Rimini and in boutiques in Bologna. One such model, the Opanca, became very popular; it was a simple design in which the sole curved gently around the foot, forming a whole with the upper part of the shoe. In 1968, the first official collection of Sergio Rossi brand shoes were produced. According to Vogue, during the 1960s the company "rapidly became synonymous with Italian quality and classic feminine designs." Business development Sergio Rossi shoes became famous for their particular use of geometric patterns and color. The brand became popular in the 1970s due to collaborations with well-known designers, including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Azzedine Alaïa. In 1980, the expansion process began in Italy and abroad, with the opening of the first single-brand boutiques in Ancona and then later in Turin, Florence, Rome, Brussels, New York, Los Angeles, and London. In 1999, the PPR Luxury Division, known as Gucci Group, acquired 70% of shares of Sergio Rossi for a value of approximately 96 million dollars. Six years later, the Kering group bought the remaining 30%, obtaining full control of the Sergio Rossi brand. In 2015, the company was sold to Investindustrial holdings. In June 2021, Fosun Fashion Group (FFG) announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Sergio Rossi S.p.A.