Who Wants To Buy Into Isabel Marant?

Isabel Marant has been in "advanced discussions" for "several months" to sell a majority stake in the fashion house. French investment company Montefiore are said to be interested in purchasing a 51 per cent share, although nothing has been agreed at this point.

"Isabel, Nathalie and I are a little bit self-taught," managing director Sophie Duruflé told WWD, referring to the house's eponymous founder and designer and their partner Nathalie Chemouny. "We have been growing this company for more than 20 years, in a very spontaneous, natural and sincere manner. We wanted to be accompanied by people who have the same vision as us, with a more strategic vision and skills that we slightly lack today."

Marant is said to be keen that the company remains in French hands. Last December, Reuters reported that she was in talks with private equity firm Eurazeo, which owns shares in Desigual, Moncler and Vestiaire Collective. While Montefiore doesn't have a fashion company in its current stable - which includes B&B Hotels, Auto Escape and research firm BVA - the Parisian label hopes that the investment will enable it to expand its digital offering and embark on new categories.

It's the second high-profile French fashion house to hit the headlines in the last week concerning investment. Valentino's parent company Mayhoola finalised a deal to buy Parisian fashion house Balmain last Wednesday for a reported €485 million.