Anthony Delos sells out to LVMH

[Romain]

The way I see things: Berluti is expanding (launching a menswear collection, buying Arnys...), in order to become a sort of "Vuitton for men", or Brioni/Kiton/... killer. And buying the workshop of A. Delos (which includes 3 bootmakers, and maybe an apprentice or two), is a part of this expansion.
I believe this is an investment made in order to increase the workforce of Berluti mesure's workshop (which was not lacking of talented bootmakers). It would be a nonsense to create and breed a competitor while trying to make of Berluti a giant of the menswear industry.

However, none of the parties have made an official announcement yet (AFAIK), so these are only suppositions...

 

[fritzl]



The way I see things:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Berluti is expanding (launching a menswear collection, buying Arnys...), in order to become a sort of "Vuitton for men", or Brioni/Kiton/... killer. And buying the workshop of A. Delos (which includes 3 bootmakers, and maybe an apprentice or two), is a part of this expansion.
I believe this is an investment made in order to increase the workforce of Berluti mesure's workshop (which was not lacking of talented bootmakers). It would be a nonsense to create and breed a competitor while trying to make of Berluti a giant of the menswear industry.
However, none of the parties have made an official announcement yet (AFAIK), so these are only suppositions...

sounds very reasonable.

 

[Kuro]

DELOS web site goes straight to a Berluti site.....

 

[rach2jlc]

Interesting discussion. First, with LAGuy and others above, I agree that often it can be a good idea (in theory) for a small maker to have access to the resources and growth potential of a large brand . BUT, in practice, it can be a double edged sword... I'm thinking off hand of JIl Sander and Helmut Lang selling to Prada in the 1990's for that same reason. Both were quite "small" brands compared to the mega-Prada. IT didn't work out and within a few seasons both namesake designers were gone. Though they had more $$$ and growth, they didn't have the same freedom they'd had before.

On the other hand, knowing that Delos won't work under his own name, I understand customers being sad about the loss of his name AND a jump in price to get his work with the Berluti label... but from the LVMH perspective, I think it is smart. Were I in the business with their resources, I'd want the best available experts in charge or having a hand in my shoes. With LVMH's money, buying out a Delos and having him on the payroll is next to nothing, and yet they'll get his know how, his ideas, and his creativity.

Seems pretty smart of them, and smart of him given that it's a good deal of $$$. I'm sure the man loves shoes, but he probably also wants to live a comfortable, nice life while still being able to do what he enjoys.

 

[MikeDT]



DELOS web site goes straight to a Berluti site.....

No knock-off Delos on Taobao yet. Plenty of fake Berluti though.

 

[bboysdontcryy]

Where do you see those fake Berlutis. Would be interesting to have a look how sloppily they've been made.

 

[MikeDT]



Where do you see those fake Berlutis. Would be interesting to have a look how sloppily they've been made.

www.taobao.com. Chinese version of Ebay or Amazon.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.144.8d5d64&id=16104236093
男士皮鞋/真皮底H.Berluti/手工定做 商务男鞋 复古风 558RMB, I think that's about $75-$80 bucks. Various sizes available.

Although knowing Taobao, what you might get often isn't what's in the pictures.

 

[Kuro]

http://uk.fashionmag.com/news-278422-Berluti-buys-shoemaker-Anthony-Delos

 

[Romain]



sounds very reasonable.

Well... I am myself very reasonable

 

[whnay.]

Paris used to be the most exciting city for classic menswear...5 years ago you could have been outfitted with the best that the world had to offer for shoes, suits, shirtings, and accessories. With the exception of the EG store opening in the 6th, everything else has been depressing...

 

[MikeDT]



Paris used to be the most exciting city for classic menswear...5 years ago you could have been outfitted with the best that the world had to offer for shoes, suits, shirtings, and accessories. With the exception of the EG store opening in the 6th, everything else has been depressing...

Probably Beijing or Shanghai now, especially if it's LVMH or PPR classic menswear. I suspect Paris like most other European cities is more about Gap, Zara, Topman, Uniqlo, Nike and H&M.

 

[chogall]

Read an article regarding the new Berluti on one of the magazines that came with Bloomberg Markets. Berluti is now run by Arnault Jr. The article does not read promising on seeing Delos bespoke shoes again...

p.s., anyone know of bespoke shoe makers that can create Delos styled round-toe shoes asides from JL Paris?

 

[poorsod]

I went by Berluti Paris a few weeks ago asking about the possibility of working with Delos and whether they planned to send him to the U.S. on trips. The guy I spoke with seemed defensive and asked me why I wanted to work with Delos because it is Berluti. This was on Saturday and he said I should come back on Monday because the people at the workshop are off. I returned on Monday and the Asian woman there asked me if I had an appointment. I didn't because the man on Saturday didn't ask me to make an appointment. She called the man responsible for bespoke and said that he wasn't available to meet. I was leaving Paris the next day, so it didn't work out. Interestingly, before I left for Paris I asked the people at the Berluti store in NYC to help me contact Berluti Paris in case I need to make an appointment and etc. They weren't able to help me make the connection and recommended I touch base with them once I arrived in Paris.

I get the impression that Berluti is still set up for mainly for retail and not for bespoke. They don't seem organized in the left hand not knowing what right hand is doing kind of way.

 

[Son Of Saphir]



[VIDEO][/VIDEO]
IMO Delos would make their operation world class, though I fear with commensurate prices.

Yes.
Delos still service ex client bespoke shoe?