Lanvin Could Be on Block

PARIS — Could Lanvin’s majority owner Shaw-Lan Wang be mulling a sale of the company? According to market sources, the Taiwanese publishing magnate recently made an informal approach to a high-powered family in Asia about possibly selling her stake. It is understood no formal talks ensued. Separately, a number of investment banks, seizing on market speculation about a possible ownership change, have also made unofficial overtures to some of the usual serial acquirers, believed to include Valentino owner Mayhoola for Investments SPC, French luxury groups Kering and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and Chinese companies that have invested in fashion. No formal sale mandate has been granted and no due diligence has been conducted, these sources caution, characterizing Wang as a reluctant seller likely to handpick the best possible suitor. An additional hurdle to any deal could be the high valuation Wang is likely to seek for her controlling stake in one of France’s oldest and most revered fashion houses. Asked for comment about the latest sale rumors, Lanvin said, “Madame Wang has received expressions of interest to acquire Lanvin, as in the past years, but she didn’t respond.” The intensely private 73-year-old has in the past described Lanvin as a long-term investment, having recruited acclaimed

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