The Italian fashion house Armani is reportedly readying itself for formal discussions with potential acquirers, including French conglomerate LVMH, beauty giant L'Oréal, and eyewear group EssilorLuxottica. These talks concern the possible sale of a minority stake in the company.
This development comes a year after the death of founder Giorgio Armani, who in his will instructed his heirs to sell an initial 15% stake within 18 months. An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is mandated if a private sale does not materialise.
Against this backdrop of ownership uncertainty, the company's revenue declined for a second consecutive year in 2025, falling by 2.8% to €2.19bn. In a move that could signal future changes, Dario Vitale was recently appointed creative director of Emporio Armani, becoming the first external designer to lead an Armani line. Vitale is tasked with revitalising the diffusion line, which accounts for almost a third of the group's revenue, and will also oversee accessories for Giorgio Armani.