SPLIT PERSONALITY: Anne Chapelle, the Belgian entrepreneur behind the Ann Demeulemeester and Haider Ackermann fashion business, has split the labels into two independent companies. Previously, they were embedded in the same parent, 32 BVBA.
Chapelle said the change reflects the fact that the Ackermann business has “fully matured over the years, becoming a fully stable and independent business on its own.
“This is a question of internal optimization, enabling both brands full freedom to grow,” she added.
Chapelle maintains a controlling interest in both companies via two separate holding companies. Chapelle is forecasting seasonal growth of 3 to 8 percent for the businesses, which she characterized as a “beautiful increase” given the morose economic climate and their reliance on apparel rather than accessories.