Oakley Capital expands portfolio of heritage brands with investments in Smythson, Fornasetti and Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano

Oakley Capital, a leading mid-market private equity investor, is pleased to announce that Oakley’s Iconic BrandCo is investing in premium lifestyle brands Smythson of Bond Street (‘Smythson’), Fornasetti, and Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano (‘FPM’), complementing its existing investments. Established in 2020, Iconic BrandCo is an Oakley Capital Fund III vehicle, investing in and creating value in luxury, heritage brands. 

Founded in London in 1887, Smythson specialises in high-quality leather goods and stationery with a rich heritage that includes producing stationery for Winston Churchill and members of the British Royal family. 

These new acquisitions will enhance and diversify Oakley’s Iconic BrandCo platform, which currently comprises heritage brands Alessi, a high-end Italian design business focused on homeware products, Globe-Trotter, a premium, British luggage maker and Connolly, a luxury British brand known for its high-end leather goods and apparel.

The latest acquisitions mark an important step in Oakley’s strategy of building a diversified group of luxury, heritage brands. Oakley aims to significantly grow the sales and value of Smythson, Fornasetti and FPM by accelerating their international expansion, digitising operations, and enhancing their brand positioning and digital marketing - strategies it is already successfully applying to Globe-Trotter, Alessi and Connolly.

The newly acquired companies will also benefit from enhanced, central resources, as Iconic BrandCo recruits additional talent in marketing, AI & data, finance and real estate. A broader heritage brand portfolio will also enable operational synergies, including shared manufacturing relationships, and increased purchasing power in both goods and media.