Group history

Group

Group history

Since its creation in 1962, the Group has continually developed and evolved, ultimately becoming a pure player in Luxury in 2018. Kering is still growing today thanks to the expertise and inspiration of the Houses and the boldly creative and authentic worlds they have fashioned over more than two centuries. Kering’s identity today is the result of this unique history.

1735

In Doccia, Tuscany, marquis Carlo Ginori establishes a porcelain venture. Inspired by the vibrant art, spirit and culture of 18th-century Italy, its founder seeks to "turn porcelain into pure beauty."

1760

James Henry Creed founds a tailoring house in London. That same year, he delivers a pair of scented leather gloves to the newly anointed King George III. In just a few decades, the House shifts focus to create niche fragrances, synonymous with exclusivity.

1858

Frédéric Boucheron opens his first shop in the Galerie de Valois, under the arcades of the Palais Royal, the heart of the Parisian world of Luxury at that time. The Boucheron House quickly gains a reputation for its unique knowledge in the creation of luxury jewelry and watches and for its skill in heightening the sparkle of precious stones. In 1893, Boucheron became the first jeweler to set up shop on Place Vendôme.

1917

Cristóbal Balenciaga founds the Balenciaga House in San Sebastian, Spain. Twenty years later, Balenciaga opened his House in Paris and henceforth will occupy a special place in the world of Haute Couture.

1921

Guccio Gucci opens a small leather goods shop in Florence. The House rapidly comes to embody the quintessence of Italian Luxury based on two founding values: superb Italian craftsmanship combined with a very contemporary creative vision. The refinement of the equestrian world is a particular source of inspiration for Gucci, and the Bamboo bag featuring a polished bamboo handle soon becomes one of its most popular creations.

1945

Brioni is founded in Rome. The House is renowned for its excellent tailors. Brioni makes its mark by staging the first men’s fashion show, in 1952, and by introducing bold colors and modern fabrics into its collections. The timeless elegance, rigorous craftsmanship, and precise tailoring of its clothing make the brand a reference in the world of men’s luxury.

1961

In July, Yves Saint Laurent founds his own House with Pierre Bergé on Rue La Boétie in Paris. With its immediately recognizable style, the House will become one of the 20th-century’s most renowned fashion brands.

1962

François Pinault founds Établissements Pinault, a timber trading company, in Rennes. Following multiple acquisitions in its sector, the rapidly successful company is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange in 1988. The group’s first strategic move comes in 1990 with its diversification into specialized retail distribution. Its focus will then shift to the luxury industry in the late 1990s.

1966

Bottega Veneta is founded in Vicenza, in line with the long-standing tradition of Italian leather craftsmanship. The remarkable leather-weave known as intrecciato soon becomes the brand’s trademark. Bottega Veneta’s philosophy is based on a discreet, unique, and personalized aesthetic.

1967

Pino Rabolini, a descendant of a family of goldsmiths, creates Pomellato in Milan with the visionary idea of bringing the ready-to-wear concept to the world of jewelry. The House’s bold creativity and instantly recognizable style is apparent in its array of stones, shapes, and colors.

1988

The Pinault Group is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange. After acquiring Le Printemps and an equity stake in La Redoute, it becomes Pinault Printemps Redoute in 1994. The company’s name is changed to PPR in 2005.

1992

Lee Alexander McQueen, a graduate of the prestigious St. Martin's College of Art and Design in London and whose graduation show was highly praised, creates his fashion House in the heart of the British capital. The brand quickly becomes admired for its conceptual designs, strong identity, and unbridled creativity.

1994

Pomellato broadens its brand universe by revealing a new jewelry concept called “DoDo”: affordable pieces of jewelry created with a single gram of gold that combine symbols to tell stories. Each one is a miniature masterpiece that conveys a message of love, luck, freedom, and friendship.

1999

PPR begins its transformation into a Luxury group by purchasing a 42% stake in the Gucci Group.

1999

Acquisition of French legendary Fashion house, Yves Saint Laurent.

1999

Acquisition of the high jewelry house, Boucheron.

2001

Acquisition of Italian high-end leather goods house, Bottega Veneta.

2001

Acquisition of iconic fashion House, Balenciaga. Since October 2015, Demna, appointed artistic director of Balenciaga’s collections, continues to uphold the vision, influence and radical style of the House.

2001

Signature of a partnership agreement with the Alexander McQueen House.

2004

Creation of the Qeelin House. Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese culture, Qeelin transforms mythological symbols into contemporary jewelry full of meaning. For example, its Bo Bo Collection features a diamond-studded, fully articulated, and playfully interpreted version of China’s national treasure, the panda.

2005

François-Henri Pinault replaces Serge Weinberg as Chairman and CEO of PPR, which he transforms into a global luxury group by progressively selling the Group’s other activities and acquiring iconic luxury Houses.

2008

Francois-Henri Pinault creates the Kering Foundation. Its mission is to combat violence against women through three main types of actions: support of NGOs and social entrepreneurs, training programs, and campaigns to raise public awareness.

2012

Acquisition of legendary Italian luxury house, Brioni.

2013

PPR changes its name to Kering and adopts a new visual identity embodied in a new logo – an owl, a symbol of wisdom, protection, and foresight – and a signature that conveys its approach: Empowering Imagination.

2013

Acquisition of Chinese fine jewelry brand, Qeelin.

2013

Acquisition of Pomellato and DoDo, among the most beautiful and innovative jewelry brands in the world, renowned for their Italian unconventional style and design.

2013

Acquisition of the Italian porcelain Manufactory, Ginori 1735.

2014

Kering creates the luxury eyewear entity Kering Eyewear. The Group will manage the design, development, and distribution of Eyewear collections for Gucci, Cartier, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Alaïa, Courrèges, Montblanc, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, and Puma.

2015

Kering publishes its first Environmental Proﬁt & Loss account (EP&L), a pioneering tool to measure in monetary terms the environmental impact of the Group’s activities. By sharing its methodology from the start with all its stakeholders, the Group hopes to encourage others to learn from such an approach and pave the way for new possibilities.

2015

In partnership with the Cannes Film Festival, Kering launches Women in Motion, a unique program to showcase women’s contributions to the film industry, and later to other fields of culture. Through talks, awards, and various events, Women in Motion has become part of the festival’s official program and is having a worldwide impact.

2016

Kering installs its new headquarters at 40, rue de Sèvres, in Paris. They are housed in the former Laennec Hospital, a historic landmark that has been given a second life following extensive renovation. The setting offers a unique and harmonious work environment conducive to creativity, where past and present respectfully coexist. During European Heritage Days, 40, rue de Sèvres is open to the public. Visitors can discover creations from the Balenciaga House archives and works of art from the Pinault Collection.

2016

Kering establishes a minimum of 14 weeks’ maternity or adoption leave on full pay for all Group employees the world over. The Group strengthens its Parental Policy in 2019 by extending these measures to paternity and partner leave.

2017

As Boucheron’s 160th anniversary approaches, Kering begins renovating 26 Place Vendôme. Frédéric Boucheron chose the House’s historic location in 1893, making him the first of the great contemporary jewelers to open a boutique on Place Vendôme. The project is led by the Chief Architect for Historical Monuments and aims to highlight the architecture of this partly listed building. Boucheron celebrates the reopening of its iconic boutique in January 2019.

2018

Saint Laurent moves its headquarters and showrooms to 37, rue de Bellechasse in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, marking a return to the House’s origins. Its first ready-to-wear boutique opened in nearby 21, rue de Tournon in 1966. The site earns a double environmental certification in compliance with requirements for heritage buildings and sustainability.

2021

Kering announces that none of the Group’s Houses will use animal fur, starting from the Fall 2022 collections. Animal welfare standards will also continue to be strictly applied as they concern other animal fibers and materials.

2023

Kering opens its new Italian headquarters in Milan, at 19 Via Senato. Nestled within the city's quadrilatero della moda, the building boasts best-in-class facilities that promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

2023

Kering announces the creation of Kering Beauté, with Raffaella Cornaggia at the helm. The entity is tasked with developing in-house, transversal beauty expertise at Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Pomellato and Qeelin. June sees the Group announce the acquisition of Creed, the high-end fragrance house established in 1760.

2023

Kering announces a 30% shareholding in the Italian Maison de Couture Valentino. Signed with Mayhoola, the agreement comprises an option for Kering to acquire 100% of Valentino's share capital no later than 2028.

2023

A decade on from its name change, Kering celebrates "10 years of Empowering Imagination". To honor this milestone, the Group organizes multiple initiatives including celebratory gatherings with employees, partners and friends, the publication of a book retracing its journey, and the staging of an advertising campaign to showcase its vision of creativity.