The Story Of The Kering Group - The Brand Built on a Dream

Etablissements Pinault was the solo venture of a 16-year-old Frenchman Francois Pinault - he dreamed of making it big! Though the company originally dealt with timber trading and construction materials, it grew organically through successful acquisitions and some aid from the French government. In 1988, Pinault S.A. was listed on the Paris Stock Exchange. In the early 1990s, Pinault S.A. acquired its first department store chain - Au Printemps and the Pinault-Printemps Group was formed. The company was renamed Pinault-Printemps-Redoute in 1994 after a successful merger with La Redoute, a French Multi-Channel Retailer.

In 1999, Pinault-Printemps-Redoute began its reign in the luxury market by acquiring a controlling share of Gucci and since then, the company hasn’t looked back!

In 2003, Francois Pinault handed over the reins of his beloved enterprise to his son, Francois-Henri. In 2005, Francois-Henri became the Chairman and CEO of the PPR Group. On 22nd March 2013, PPR changed its name to Kering - an indicator of the company’s transformation into a powerful, multinational luxury holding.

The name Kering, pronounced as the English word “caring”, encapsulates the company’s love and passion towards its subsidiary brands and employees. It is also a homage to the founding town of Brittany, since “ker” in the Breton language means hearth and home. Effectively, Kering’s meaning is a reflection of the group’s aspirations in nurturing its brands on an international level while remaining in touch with its roots.

Pinault’s favourite bird, the owl, was chosen to feature in the logo. With its sharp vision and 270º swivelling head, it represents the Kering Group’s visionary spirit and its ability to anticipate and sustain individuality. The bird of the Greek goddess Athena, the owl is a depiction of wisdom and brilliance. Its signature, “Empowering Imagination”, embodies the Group’s vision to encourage the creativity of its brands and enable them to go beyond their limits, develop talent and fulfil their potential.

Today, Kering is a major global luxury group with an extraordinary portfolio featuring renowned Houses. It has three divisions -

Luxury: Exceptional labels such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others.

Sports and Lifestyle: Remarkable brands Puma, Cobra and Volcom.

Kering Eyewear: Launched in 2014, its Kering’s venture to develop its own in-house luxury eyewear for its fashion verticals.

Based out of the fashion capital of the world, Paris, the Kering Group earned €15883.3 millions in sales in 2019. With a net income of €2.3 billion, it is one of the biggest players of the luxury world. Offering opportunities to work with them, the Kering Group employs nearly 40,000 people.

Today, it is the most active company making strides in the development of a sustainable model for luxury. In their own words, “The Group sources raw materials in sustainable ways, preserves biodiversity, and meets the highest standards of health, safety, and animal welfare and has launched a number of initiatives to ensure the protection and sustainability of natural resources.” This makes it one of the most attractive companies to invest in, for the environmentally conscious new generation of clients.

Wherever women's integrity and dignity are attacked, I believe each of us has a particular responsibility.

The Kering Group founded The Kering Foundation in 2008 to tackle the critical issue of combating violence against women.  With its many approaches towards battling gender violences across the globe such as “Maison des Femmes de Saint-Denis”, “Manhood 2.0”, “Gendes”, “OneInThreeWomen” and others, it establishes itself as a woke Group, appealing to the value-driven clientele consisting of millennials and Gen Z. In 2015, Kering partnered with Cannes Film Festival and launched “Women in Motion” to highlight the contribution of women to the film industry, in front and behind the camera. There are two awards presented annually - one is awarded to an influential woman in the film industry and another is awarded to an upcoming, promising name in cinema.

Let us take a look at a comprehensive list of the Kering Group’s subsidiaries - its cornerstone developments with these ethereal luxury labels.

1999 - Gucci - Italy

The biggest jewel of Kering’s crown, Gucci was 2019's fastest-growing luxury brand with a valuation of $15.9 billion. Founded in Florence in 1921, its a representation of fine Italian craftsmanship and attention to detail. Led currently by Alessandro Michele, the House of Gucci stands for self-expression and the fusion of classical and contemporary.

1999 - Yves Saint Laurent - France

Founded in 1961, Yves Saint Laurent has been one of the most prominent fashion houses of the 20th century. Being a revolutionary in the world of luxury fashion through the introduction of  luxury ready-to-wear in 1966, the House continues to build on its identity under the creative vision of Anthony Vaccarello and the leadership of Francesca Bellettini (President and CEO since September 2013).

2000 - Boucheron - France

In 1893, Frédéric Boucheron was the first to open a boutique on the prestigious place Vendôme. The creations of the Boucheron House exhibit the spirit of intuition and daring. Infused in its designs are the ideals of liberation and independence. Boucheron is a jeweller of the free woman.

2001 - Bottega Veneta - Italy

Inspired from its Italian roots and infused with a global essence, Bottega Veneta has set a novel standard for stylish luxury under the leadership of its new Creative Director, Daniel Lee. Anointed “The Quiet Radical” by British Vogue, he has re-introduced the refined attitude of contemporary designs in the men, women and home collections.

2001 - Balenciaga - Spain

Cristóbal Balenciaga was known as The Master of Haute Couture for his impeccable designs and sophisticated craftsmanship. The brand, founded in 1917 in Spain, is known for its silhouettes - bubble hemlines, sack dresses and cocoon coats - and chunky dad shoes.

2001 - Alexander McQueen - UK

Founded by Alexander McQueen in 1992, the Kering Group acquired the label in 2001. The brand has harboured a reputation of unconventional (and sometimes, controversial) modernism through its mutinous designs and eccentric fashion shows. Some of the House’s most distinguished collections include Savage Beauty and Highland Rape.

2011 - Brioni - Italy

Recognised today as the world’s most prestigious menswear luxury House, Brioni stands for  effortless Roman elegance. It caters to a full range of lifestyle products from exquisitely crafted casualwear to indulgent outerwear and a large variety of leather goods, accessories, jewellery and shoes for the Brioni gentleman’s wardrobe.

2011 - Girard-Perregaux - Switzerland

Founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux is one of the oldest Fine Watchmakers still in operation. It has been consistently developing and delivering exceptional Haute Horlogerie watches intertwining excellence, skill and aesthetics. The manufacturer holds a 100 patents for its timepieces.

2012 - Queelin - France

Named after the Quilin, an auspicious mythical animal, the House was created by Dennis Chan in 2004. The designs are exquisite and inspired from Chinese symbolism. The fine jewellery is a perfect blend of luxury and playfulness.

2012 - Pomellato - Italy

The brand is characterised by a highly creative, avant-garde approach to living crafting the most unique and innovative pieces of fashion. Established in Milan by Pino Rabolini in 1967, Pomellato has designed an iconic style, unmistakable and artistic.

2012 - DoDo - Italy

Founded in 1994, DoDo is an expression of modern jewellery concepts. It was the first high-end jewellery brand to cater to a broader unisex audience. The label is based upon singular jewels of charm that convey a personal meaning and celebrate love, luck, freedom and friendship.

2014 - Ulysse Nardin - Switzerland

Synonymous with precision timemaking, Ulysse Nardin was founded in 1846. An authority in nautical timekeeping, the label has been an official supplier of chronometers of the U.S. Navy. Ulysse artistry strikes a perfect balance between modernity (the pioneering technique of using crystalline silicon in the watches) and the traditional (enamel employed exactly in the same manner as it was a century ago).