Fashion Industry, resources
Regent Acquires Swiss Luxury Brand Bally From JAB Holding
Regent, a US-based investment firm, acquires Swiss luxury brand Bally, from Luxembourg-based private equity firm JAB Holding. Regent’s portfolio includes Club Monaco, Escada and La Senza, while JAB has owned the luxury footwear, fashion and accessories brand since 2008.
Bally’s SS24
The acquisition comes six years after JAB inked a deal to sell Bally to Chinese textile group Shandong Ruyi Shandong Ruyi, which later fell through. Founded in 2008, JAB is now also the controlling shareholder of beauty firm Coty, among other companies.
“Bally is one of the world’s great heritage luxury brands. Its legacy, built on over 170 years of timeless design and unparalleled quality, is a testament to refined Swiss elegance and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. We are honored to be entrusted with shaping the next chapter of this remarkable story,” says Michael Reinstein, founder and chairman of Regent. Based in Beverly Hills, the global investment firm transforms businesses through operational improvements and strategic deployment of resources.
“Since our first investment in Bally, the brand has undergone significant operational and creative evolution. Today it enjoys global recognition and its latest creative direction has been celebrated worldwide. It has been a privilege to own this storied brand, and we will watch its future with great interest,” says Joachim Creus, managing partner, vice chairman and CEO of JAB. An investment holding company, JAB finances insurance and consumer-focused industries with strong growth prospects, attractive margin and cash flow, and proven resiliency.
Bally: A legacy of craftsmanship and modern technology
Founded by Carl Franz Bally, what began as a family-run ribbon factory in Schönenwerd quickly became a pioneering global brand as Bally industrialized its processes, built infrastructure and services to support its employees, and expanded stores from Montevideo to Paris. Today, Bally honors its traditions, subscribing to the belief that quality speaks for itself. The Swiss luxury brand is headquartered in Caslano and operates over 320 stores worldwide. Its product portfolio spans shoes, accessories, and ready-to-wear, driven by artistry and contemporary design.
Bally is acclaimed for its Swiss-Italian craftsmanship and a legacy of innovation, be it Reindeer Boots worn by Tenzing Norgay during the first-ever ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, technical Curling Shoes worn by the Swiss Olympic team, or the use of AI and 3-D prototyping in the design process. Its most iconic shoes, like the men’s Scribe created by Carl Franz Bally’s grandson Max Bally in celebration of the brand’s 100-year anniversary in 1951, are handmade in Switzerland. So it’s no wonder luminaries Ben Affleck and Gerard Butler are among its loyal clientele.
Bally’s products are synonymous with craftsmanship and timeless design and the team collaborates with suppliers to get the best raw materials, without compromising on social and environmental respect. In 2022, Bally developed a new Preferred Material List to support them in choosing materials carefully. Bally CEO Nicolas Girotto and Design Director Simone Bellotti aim to strengthen the luxury brand’s impact with a modern approach, new products, and a return to Fashion Week.
“We share the same point of view and we truly are in sync,” Bally CEO Nicolas Girotto told WWD, about Bellotti, adding that they were aiming “to go beyond the clichés associated with Switzerland. It’s really different from what one would think. I am deeply in love with the country and I see paradoxes, contrasts and duality, tradition and innovation, conservatism and strong progressiveness, exemplified by the city of Zurich…”
