Chanel acquires Orlebar Brown
Chanel has acquired men’s luxury swim and resort wear brand Orlebar Brown from its founder Adam Brown and the Piper private equity firm.
Founded in 2007 as an online business by Brown and his former business partner Julia Simpson-Orlebar, the company now has 24 stores in 11 countries and employs more than 100 people worldwide.
Piper invested £8 million in the business in 2013 and since then Orlebar Brown has increased its sales to £22 million with 40% of those made online. The company has also launched a number of major collaborations including the recent James Bond swim collection and partnerships with brand ambassadors such as F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.
Celebrity customers include the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z, Hugh Jackman, Tom Brady, Michael Fassbender and Roger Federer.
Following the transaction, Brown will continue to lead the business as creative director, working alongside chief executive Paul Donoghue.
Brown said: “It’s been an enormous pleasure working with the Piper team in building Orlebar Brown into a truly global luxury brand of which we’re all so proud. I’m extremely grateful for their hard work, attention and expertise and honoured that, in Chanel, we have found the perfect home for the brand to continue to thrive and grow.”
