inevitable things

Surprise! Roberto Cavalli Probably Won’t Sell a Stake in His Company, After All

So Roberto Cavalli has that hot-cold thing in common with Katy Perry. One day he wants to sell his company, the next he doesn’t; one day he’s near a deal, the next day the only thing he’s near is a hot chick in a chiffon frock and a bottle of prosecco. He was planning to sell a 20 percent stake in his company to private-equity firm Clessidra, but apparently it’s just dawned on him that this is not a good market to sell in if he doesn’t need to. “It’s more logical to buy rather than to sell now,” he tells WWD. No — really? Cavalli is buddies with the head of Clessidra, whom he calls “adorable” and a “dear friend,” but he says his social life won’t interfere with how he runs his business.

So, since he’s decided to put off selling for a while, or ever, he’s focusing on getting his Just Cavalli line back up to par. There was some drama with Just Cavalli after its licensee, Ittierre, went bankrupt earlier this year. But Cavalli has regained confidence in the troubled firm and has renewed his contract with them. He hopes to make the line better than ever, starting with a grassroots effort to recruit young female customers: He wants to hand out “small Just Cavalli gadgets” to ladies standing outside of nightclubs. Leopard-print iPod shuffles, please! Mini–USB-drives are about as useful as coupons given in gift bags that offer $500 off a $20,000 yacht rental. Though laser lights would be fun, too.

Cavalli Rethinks Sale of Stake, Again [WWD]

Surprise! Roberto Cavalli Probably Won’t Sell a Stake in His Company, After All