The chairman of Damac Properties has completed the buy-out of Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli through his private investment vehicle.
The purchase, done through Vision Investments, follows a court-sanctioned restructuring process after the company's previous owner, Italian private equity firm Clessidra, ran into problems.
It had bought 90 per cent of the Roberto Cavalli business four years ago in a deal reportedly worth €390 million (Dh1.58bn) but was unable to turn the company around.
Vision Investments, which is part of Hussain Sajwani's Dico Group, emerged as the top bidder in a competitive process, and concluded the deal on Thursday, according to a statement.
“We are excited about carrying forward the incredible legacy of the Roberto Cavalli brand. Dico has a long and fruitful association with Roberto Cavalli, and I believe that the brand resonates with our idea of luxury," Mr Sajwani said. "I am happy to announce that the transaction was executed swiftly and that we will ensure stability in management."
Roberto Cavalli is one of several fashion houses that Damac Properties has worked with in recent years, with branded residence deals also being done with the interior design arms of Versace and Fendi.
The Dico Group was set up in 1992 and invests in five main areas - capital markets, real estate, hotels and resorts, manufacturing and catering, and now luxury fashion.
Mr Sajwani's association with Roberto Cavalli began in 2017, when an agreement was signed between DICO Group and the fashion house to develop interiors for the Aykon Hotels brand developed by Damac Properties.
"At Dico Investments, we aspire to own internationally recognised brands, and this acquisition marks a significant step in our strategy,” Mr Sajwani said.
Earlier this month, Mr Sajwani's son, Ali, told The National he was confident of the group's ability to grow the Roberto Cavalli business.
"We think it’s a good investment," he said. "It’s a long term play, definitely, and we think we can add a lot of value to the brand."
Dico is also planning to develop luxury resorts in the Maldives, Bali, Marrakech and the Seychelles, he said.
"We understand that high-end luxury market. We understand what a wealthy client looks for, and that’s why we think we can do very well in the resorts business," Ali Sajwani said at the time. "We can cater very well to their needs."
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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
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Friday
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Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
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Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
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- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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