Kering Invests In Bottega's Main Man

KERING has invested in Tomas Maier - the eponymous label by Bottega Veneta's creative director. The conglomerate - which also owns Bottega Veneta - will help Maier to develop his brand, founded in 1997, to grow it from a ready-to-wear offering to a lifestyle collection.

"I am excited to enter into this new chapter for the Tomas Maier brand in parallel with my role at Bottega Veneta," the designer told WWD. "I could not imagine a better partner than Kering for the Tomas Maier brand. We speak the same language and have a mutual understanding of how to take this business we started 15 years ago to new heights."

Maier joined Bottega Veneta in 2001 and has helped it become Kering's largest luxury label after Gucci. Kering has already acquired majority shares in Italian jeweller Pomellato and the London fashion house Christopher Kane this year, as well as a minority investment in New York designer Joseph Altuzarra.