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In 1994, Gucci
Group NV was incorporated. The same year, Tom Ford, previously
Chief Women's Ready-to-Wear Designer, was appointed as Creative
Director of Gucci's entire product range. His seminal fall/winter
1995-1996 collection transformed Gucci's style with a remix
of classic and modern, tradition and innovation. It was
an immediate hit with the critics and the public and marked
the relaunch of the Gucci brand.
In 1995, Domenico
De Sole was appointed as President and CEO of Gucci Group
NV after holding the position of President of Gucci America
Inc. (1984-1994) and Chief Operating Officer of the Gucci
Group (1994-1995). The De Sole-Ford team would reinvent
Gucci over the following years.
In October of
1995, Investcorp floated 48.2% of Gucci Group NV on the
New York and Amsterdam Stock Exchanges. The Initial Public
Offering was positively received by the market, leading
Investcorp to offer the remaining 51.8% of the company five
months later. Gucci's shares were in international demand.
Gucci Timepieces
was created in November 1997 when Gucci Group NV acquired
the operating assets of the Severin Montres Group, one of
the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of watches.
Severin Montres, a Gucci licensee for 23 years, had developed
an extensive directly operated distribution network in the
United States, Canada, Hong Kong, the UK and Germany, as
well as third party arrangements elsewhere.
In 1999 Gucci
Group NV acquired Yves Saint Laurent Couture and Sanofi
Beauté a prestigious perfume and cosmetics
company that boasts YSL fragrances such as Opium and Paris,
as well as a wealth of other perfume licenses including
Roger & Gallet, Krizia, Fendi and Oscar de la Renta.
In 1999, Gucci Group NV also acquired a 70% controlling
interest in Sergio Rossi, a leading Italian luxury shoe
company.
The growth of
Gucci Group NV continued in 2000 with the acquisition of
Boucheron International S.A. Founded in France in 1858,
Boucheron has a long established heritage as one of the
world's most exclusive jewelry, watch and perfume brands.
Also in 2000, Gucci secured further control over its brands
by obtaining license rights held by Cartier International
for Yves Saint Laurent Couture watches and jewelry. Both
moves reflect Gucci's confidence in the global potential
of the jewelry and watches segments of the luxury goods
market.
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