Marni Group S.r.l., commonly known as Marni, is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1994 by Consuelo Castiglioni in Milan, Italy. Marni was acquired by Italian fashion group OTB in 2015.[4] Francesco Risso was appointed creative director of the brand in 2016.[5]

Marni Group S.r.l.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFashion
Founded1994; 30 years ago (1994) in Milan, Italy
FounderConsuelo Castiglioni
Headquarters,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Barbara Calò (CEO)[1]
Francesco Risso (creative director)
ProductsReady-to-wear clothing, Fashion accessories, Footwear, Jewellery, Homewares
RevenueIncrease US$170 million (2019)[2][3]
ParentOTB Group
Websitewww.marni.com

History

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Marni was founded in Milan, Italy in 1994 by Swiss designer Consuelo Castiglioni, originally as an offshoot of the family’s fur business.[6] Starting in 2000, the company began to open stores in high-end department stores. In 2011, Marni signed a licensing agreement with Spazio Sei Fashion Group for the production and worldwide distribution of the Marni Children line for girls, designed by Consuelo Castiglioni.[7]

In 2012, the Castiglioni family confirmed that it was looking for a financial partner in order to expand Marni’s retail business.[8] The family sold 60 percent of the company to Renzo Rosso's OTB Group that same year.[9][10] That same year, Marni launched a one-off collection for H&M[11] with a promotional film by Sofia Coppola starring model Liu Wen and actress Imogen Poots in Marrakesh;[12] The Marni Denim line was launched;[13]

In 2015, Marni was fully acquired by OTB Group.[14] Shortly after, the manufacturing arm of OTB, Staff International, took over production and worldwide distribution of Marni’s men’s collections, including ready-to-wear, accessories, footwear and small leather goods.[15]

In 2016, Consuelo Castiglioni and other members of her family left the company.[16] Instead, Marni appointed Francesco Risso as creative director.[17][18]

Licensing

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Cosmetics

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In 2012, Marni launched its first women’s fragrance.[19] In 2024, the brand entered a licensing agreement with beauty conglomerate Coty for cosmetics and fragrances.[20] The first products under this deal will launch in 2026 and the contract extends through 2040.[21]

Children’s line

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Marni has been having licensing agreements with Spazio 6 (2011–2015) and Brave Kid (since 2015) for the production and worldwide distribution of its children’s line dedicated to girls aged between two and 12.[22]

Eyewear

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Marni signed a licensing agreement with Marchon Eyewear in 2015 for the production and distribution of its eyewear line, designed by Consuelo Castiglioni.[23] In 2021, the brand signed with Retrosuperfuture for their eyewear licensing.

Other activities

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During Milan Design Week in 2023, Marni launched a collections of tableware with Belgian design label Serax and a wallpaper series with Italian wall covering-maker LondonArt.[24]

Management

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Controversy

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In 2020, Marni issued a public apology after being called out by Diet Prada for its “Jungle Mood” campaign, which featured images of a Black man with chains around his ankles.[28][29]

See also

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Notes and references

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  1. ^ Luisa Zargani (November 27, 2019), Marni CEO Exits Brand Women's Wear Daily.
  2. ^ Luisa Zargani (November 27, 2019), Marni CEO Exits Brand Women's Wear Daily.
  3. ^ Antonella Ciancio (December 20, 2012), Diesel founder buys Marni stake Reuters
  4. ^ Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Angela (2015-11-23). "Renzo Rosso's OTB Group acquires 100 percent of Marni". fashionunited.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  5. ^ Gay, Danielle (2016-10-24). "Francesco Risso named creative director at Marni". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  6. ^ Alexander Fury (22 August 2022), Francesco Risso is remaking Marni in his own image Financial Times.
  7. ^ Alessandra Turra (7 October 2011), Marni Signs Children’s Wear Deal Women's Wear Daily.
  8. ^ Ella Alexander (9 October 2012), Marni Seeks Financial Backer British Vogue.
  9. ^ Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Angela (2015-11-23). "Renzo Rosso's OTB Group acquires 100 percent of Marni". fashionunited.com. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  10. ^ Antonella Ciancio (December 20, 2012), Diesel boss to take over Italy fashion house Marni Reuters.
  11. ^ Elizabeth Paton (30 November 2011), Marni to follow Versace in collaboration with H&M Financial Times.
  12. ^ Belinda White (3 February 2012), First look: Sofia Coppola's Marni for H&M campaign video The Daily Telegraph.
  13. ^ Lauren Cochrane (6 January 2012), Parallel lines Financial Times.
  14. ^ Vanessa Friedman (October 21, 2016), All Change at Marni New York Times.
  15. ^ Alessandra Turra (21 April 2015), Marni CEO Exits Brand Women's Wear Daily.
  16. ^ Vanessa Friedman (October 21, 2016), All Change at Marni New York Times.
  17. ^ Gay, Danielle (2016-10-24). "Francesco Risso named creative director at Marni". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  18. ^ Vanessa Friedman (October 21, 2016), All Change at Marni New York Times.
  19. ^ Pete Born and Cynthia Martens (1 November 2012), Marni to Launch First Women’s Fragrance Women's Wear Daily.
  20. ^ Morosini, Daniela (2024-02-06). "Coty Signs Licensing Deal With Marni". The Business of Fashion. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  21. ^ "Coty and Marni enter a new Beauty License". www.coty.com. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  22. ^ Alessandra Turra (9 January 2015), Marni Signs License With Brave Kid Women's Wear Daily.
  23. ^ Alessandra Turra (18 September 2015), Marni, Marchon Sign Eyewear Licensing Agreement Women's Wear Daily.
  24. ^ Sofia Celeste (15 April 2023), Francesco Risso’s Marni Comes Full Circle With Home Decor Women's Wear Daily.
  25. ^ "Biondo è il nuovo CEO di Marni". Pambianco News (in Italian). 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  26. ^ Luisa Zargani (27 November 2019), Marni CEO Exits Brand Women's Wear Daily.
  27. ^ Luisa Zargani (3 May 2024), Marni Names Stefano Rosso CEO Women's Wear Daily.
  28. ^ Sarah Young (31 July 2020), Marni issues apology for ‘Jungle Mood’ campaign amid accusations of racism The Independent.
  29. ^ Colleen Barry (17 August 2020), Black creatives in Italian fashion demand cultural reform Associated Press.
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