Temperley considers sale minority stake

London-based fashion label Temperley is one of several brands to consider selling a stake to a private equity company in order to aid financial expansion. "Private equity is certainly one of the potential sources of funds," Lars von Bennigsen, Temperley chief executive and husband of designer Alice, told WWD. "The business is growing very fast in all territories, and any investment would be mainly used to speed up our international rollout." The company currently has stores in London , New York and Los Angeles , and has showrooms in London and New York . Temperley's designs are favoured by Hollywood and London and New York 's beautiful set.

Von Bennigsen said that Temperley would sell a minority stake of 10 to 15 percent. Sales for this fiscal year have been estimated at $28.5 million, up from $16.2 million last year. The company is already in talks with private equity firms, and although Von Bennigsen declined to reveal which ones, he did say he expected the deal to be completed within the next six months. "If we decide to take on a strategic partner, private equity or not, we would probably do so before the year is out," he said. "We have been approached from many different angles for a while and are now concerned with finding the right fit."