Luxury men’s swimwear brand Vilebrequin has been put up for sale. It is thought an investment bank will soon be appointed to seek out a buyer.
The brand, which sells fun, quirky patterned swimming trunks with £100 price tags,is expected to attract numerous bidders. Morgan Stanley has already been identified as a front runner for the sale.
Hollywood stars are partial to the brand, with Jack Nicholson, George Clooney, Michael Douglas and Prince William all recently spotted wearing a pair.
The brand was bought by Dutch private equity house, Fashion Fund One, in 2007.
The Vilebrequin brand – the French word for ‘crankshaft’, part of an automobile’s engine – began in Saint-Tropez in 1971. Early designs featured fast-drying fabric, which was innovative at the time.
The reasons for the sale were not revealed, the firm has, however, recently announced the purchase of a new store in Covent Garden, London, as part of its expansion plans.
President and CFO of Vilebrequin, Agnes Sarah Espinasse, commented: “The acquisition of our new store in London’s Convent Garden further strengthens our position in the UK market and globally.”
