Kering to pick from three potential suitors for Sergio Rossi

After taking the industry by storm earlier this week with its rumoured sale, Sergio Rossi – up to now property of the luxury group Kering – would reportedly had not one, but three potential suitors.

The designer show brand is allegedly considering offers to purchase proposals from three investors, namely two private equity and a single investor. The groups involved in the bidding process are Lion Capital, Emeriment and Investindustrial, reports ‘Il Sole 24 Ore’.

Three pretenders for Sergio Rossi: Lion Capital, Emerisque and Investindustrial

Lion Capital is a British-based company with extensive fashion experience, as it has controlled in the past Jimmy Choo. Lion Capital still controls AllSaints, John Varvatos and GHD.

Meanwhile, Emerisque has closer ties to sportswear, and it currently owns Marina Yachting, Henry Cotton's and MCS (formerly known as Marlboro Classics)

Kering first invested in the designer shoe brand in 1999, taking a 70 percent stake before acquiring the company in full in 2004. In February, rumours broke about Kering’s intention to put Sergio Rossi up for sale.

The Sergio Rossi company, founded by its namesake designer back in the 1950s, has been trying to find its place in the industry following the departure of creative director Francesco Russo in 2013. Angelo Ruggeri replaced him.

Sergio Rossi runs 90 stores worldwide and also distributes its coveted shoes via wholesale to the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Lane Crawford and Harrods.