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Reuters

Michael Kors’ swoop on Versace leaves a shrinking universe of fashion brands determined to go it alone and fend off luxury empire builders, raising the pressure on those struggling financially to lift sales or sell out.
This week the US fashion giant confirmed the US$2.1 billion takeover of Versace while announcing plans to open about 100 new stores.
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Asian markets including Japan and South Korea, as well as China’s growing middle class, are key targets.
The move has outraged many fans of Italian fashion house Versace. Some have bombarded the Instagram account of Donatella Versace, the creative director of the Milan-based brand who will continue in her role.












View this post on Instagram


















Thank you so much Cindy for presenting this award to me tonight. I’m honored and proud to be among so many incredible people tonight working together for a more sustainable future, congratulations to everyone! #greencarpetfashionawards #sustainability #cindycrawford
A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) on Sep 23, 2018 at 12:48pm PDT



Others took to Twitter to voice their disappointment.

Michael Kors buying Versace is like that girl who thinks that buying & wearing cool clothes gives her clout & make her a style icon. Sorry babe, you either got it or you don't
— Melina Morry (@ladylikeleopard) September 25, 2018


versace selling to michael kors is like when ur ex starts dating someone ugly
— Eilish Boyd (@boyd_eilish) September 25, 2018

Others sent sympathetic messages mentioning Gianni Versace, the brand’s founder who was shot and killed on July 15, 1997, on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion. He was 50 years old.

"Michael Kors is reportedly set to buy Versace for $2 billion this week" Gianni Versace sweetie, I’m so sorry
— femme fatale (@eliesaaab) September 24, 2018













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If Gianni Versace still here, he will cry..... #badtimes #gianniversace #versace #irvingpenn #versaceisdead #versaceisdeadagain #hkig #fashioneditor #styleblogger #versace
A post shared by Frankie Ho (@garconsfrankie) on Sep 25, 2018 at 5:06am PDT



The Italian red-carpet favourite is the latest label to be picked off by a conglomerate after years of expansion by European groups like LVMH, which now has a stable of 70 brands that ranges from fashion to champagne to watchmakers.
But growing cash piles at LVMH and its Paris rival Kering; the emergence of aspiring conglomerates like US-based Kors and China’s Shandong Ruyi; and a widening gulf between performing brands and those straining to catch up could propel more deals, according to some industry watchers.

The industry still boasts some big-name independent successes such as France’s Hermes or privately owned Chanel. The latter, long lusted after by rivals, revealed this year it was roughly neck-and-neck with Louis Vuitton – owned by LVMH – as one of the biggest luxury labels by sales.
But in a fickle industry where trends come and go and demand can take sudden hits – such as by a drop in tourist flows, for instance – conglomerates have been among the stronger performers recently amid booming demand from Chinese consumers.

Revenues at Kering and LVMH have thrived thanks to their respective Gucci and Vuitton labels, helping them to offset blips at others like Bottega Veneta or Marc Jacobs.
Versace joins Bulgari as an example of family-run businesses that eventually sold. LVMH bought Bulgari, an Italian, jeweller in 2011.
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According to sources, Italian fashion editors attending Paris Fashion Week have been mourning the loss “of another great piece of Italian fashion”.


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Fashion

Why Donatella, why? Versace fans angry at Michael Kors sale take to social media

Donatella Versace will continue in her role as creative director after the sale of the Italian fashion house to Michael Kors. Photo: AFP

This undated photo provided by Michael Kors shows from left, CEO of Versace Jonathan Akeroyd, Donatella Versace, and chairman and CEO of Michael Kors John D. Idol. Michael Kors is buying the Italian fashion house Versace in a deal worth more than $2 billion, continuing its hard charge into the world of high-end fashion. (Rahi Rezvani/Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. via AP)

epa07045124 (FILE) - US designer Michael Kors walks the runway after presenting his creations at the New York Fall Fashion Week, in New York, New York, USA, 17 February 2016 (reissued 25 September 2018). According to media reports, Michael Kors agreed to buy Italian fashion house Versace for 1.83 billion euros. EPA-EFE/JOHN TAGGART

Donatella Versace and CEO on brand’s new Hong Kong store, why ‘sexy’ is boring, and escaping Gianni’s shadow

After 20 years at the helm of the Italian fashion giant, Versace, in Hong Kong to open a flagship boutique, talks about how far the label has come and where she wants to take it next to engage younger fans

Versace handout image shows the new Versace flagship store, Shop A, G/F, Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower, 12 Queen's Road Central, Centra, Hong Kong, 2017. [FEATURES] CREDIT / COURTESY OF VERSACE

Italian fashion designer, Donatella Versace is applauded by Britain's supermodel, Naomi Campbell (R) at the end of Versace's 1988 Autumn Winter collection during Milan's fashion shows 06 March. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) / AFP PHOTO / GERARD JULIEN [10APRIL2017 FEATURES FASHION]

Models Gigi (L) and Bella Hadid Hadid present creations for fashion house Versace during the Women's Fall/Winter 2017/2018 fashion week in Milan, on February 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Miguel MEDINA

Versace handout image shows the Versace Hong Kong Fall/Winter 2017 fashion show, in Hong Kong, April 01, 2017. [FEATURES] CREDIT / COURTESY OF VERSACE

Versace handout image shows Jonathan Akeroyd, Versace Group CEO. 20MAY16 [FEATURES FASHION] CREDIT : COURTESY OF VERSACE

Donatella Versace, artistic director of the Versace brand. Photo: Rahi Rezvani

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Instagram account of Donatella Versace bombarded after sale of the Italian fashion house for US$2.1 billion, while others wonder which independent label will be swept up next by a big conglomerate


Fans of the Italian fashion house have bombarded the Instagram account of Donatella Versace over its sale, while others wonder which independent label will be swept up next by a big conglomerate.


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