A.P.C. will to sell a majority stake to L Catterton

Current designer and founder of French brand A.P.C. Jean Touitou may be ready to sell a majority stake to L Catterton, the private equity firm supported by LVMH and Arnault Group. According to a statement released to BoF, an investment by L Catterton could help the brand and its digital presence substantially grow internationally. For now, there is no further information about the deal.

The brand A.P.C. was born in 1987 and is now recognised worldwide for its minimal silhouettes, subtle style and production of jeans in selvage denim, a raw fabric that for designer and founder Touitou «can last for three generations.» The simplicity of its imagery and the longevity of the garments are the main reasons why the brand has managed to maintain a niche and loyal customer base for more than 30 years. With around 80 shops worldwide, 80% of sales come from abroad, and 30% from online platforms. Founded in 1989, L. Catterton owns a long list of medium-sized brands, all characterised by strong growth potential and the need for the support of a major partner. Buying a stake in A.P.C. would not represent a big investment for the company given the funding of recent years, such as that of Ganni in 2017, and Etro and Birkenstock in 2021.