FOREL AND FARO ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS COMPLETE ACQUISITION OF MAJORITY STAKE IN VISIONNAIRE

FARO Alternative Investments Sicav and its Advisory Company FOREL, led by Marco Bizzarri and Mario Gardini, have officially completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Visionnaire (IPE SRL), the Italian meta-luxury interior design brand. The majority stake was previously held by Apheon.

The parent company IPE SRL was founded in 1959, and its brand Visionnaire, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, has become synonymous with luxury, innovation and exquisite Italian craftsmanship over the last two decades.

Marco Bizzarri has been appointed President of Visionnaire and will work closely with founding family members Leopoldo Cavalli as CEO and Eleonore Cavalli as Creative Director. FOREL’s active management will help fuel the company’s next phase of growth through network expansion in key global cities, project development of branded residences and client engagement strategies.

DRIVING VISIONNAIRE FORWARD

In the beautiful setting of Darsena del Sale in Cervia, Visionnaire hosted an event, bringing together every employee of the company to celebrate a new chapter in its journey with the acquisition by FOREL.

The kickoff event was vibrant, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the brand essence and future. Key figures from Visionnaire and FOREL examined the brand’s foundational pillars and strategic direction, guided by Alberto Cavalli, General Director at Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte in Milan.

The introduction of Leopoldo Cavalli and the key figures from FOREL showcased the new direction for the brand and the opportunities that lay ahead.

Visionnaire’s leadership team shared their insights on the company’s future strategy. Their discussion provided a clear roadmap for the next steps and reinforced the collaborative spirit of the event.

Thought-provoking panel discussions featured prominent voices like Marco Bizzarri, former CEO of Gucci, and Jesse Lee, President of Design Miami and founder of Basic.Space, who talked about the future of design, how to attract new generations of clients and Visionnaire’s innovative edge.

Another highlight was the dialogue between Eleonore Cavalli, Visionnaire’s Creative Director and Co-Founder and Susan Chokachi, Operational Partner in Brand and Marketing at FOREL. They discussed themes of timeless beauty and meta-luxury, emphasizing how Visionnaire seamlessly creates cultural dialogues through its design-driven activities. Their conversation resonated with the audience, underscoring the brand’s commitment to creating enduring, beautiful artifacts and projects.

This event marked a significant milestone in Visionnaire’s journey. With FOREL, Visionnaire is poised to accelerate its growth and continue setting standards in luxury living.

“I am proud to announce that with this new partnership, Visionnaire remains an “Italian” company, joining FOREL and its leader Marco Bizzarri, who has a unique track record and experience in the luxury sector. This year Visionnaire celebrates its 20th anniversary and it is the perfect moment to grow and propel Visionnaire to the pinnacle of the world’s most important luxury brands.”

- Leopoldo Cavalli

“We are thrilled to partner with Visionnaire and the founding family to unlock new opportunities for growth, Visionnaire’s commitment to innovation and design excellence aligns perfectly with our investment philosophy, and we are confident in the company’s potential to redefine luxury living in the years to come.”

- Marco Bizzarri

About VISIONNAIRE

Founded by the parent company IPE SRL Società Benefit, based in Bologna since 1959, Visionnaire is a leading meta-luxury brand in the Made in Italy interior design sector. As a Benefit Company since 2021, Visionnaire defines its business as a promoter of positive value for the community, territories and the environment. The brand bases its activities on the value of knowledge and the continuous search for the concept of contemporary beauty, confirming itself as a creator of highly bespoke design projects and products. It promotes and enhances the production of local artisanal craftsmanship present throughout Italy.

About FOREL

FOREL is an advisory company of FARO Alternative Investments SICAV RAIF that invests in Fashion, Luxury and Design, with a team of luxury experts to create long-term value. FOREL targets global companies with strong brand recognition and business potential, with the aim of improving operational performance through active management and a particular focus on talent development. Led by Marco Bizzarri in partnership with Mario Gardini of Orienta Capital Partners, the FOREL team includes industry experts and private equity professionals who boast a vast information and talent network, a deep understanding of the industry, and a concrete vision of its future evolution.

FARO ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS SICAV

FARO ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS SICAV FARO Alternative Investments SICAV RAIF is an alternative investment umbrella fund that operates at the global level with diversified investment strategies, across multiple industry sub-funds, supported by specialized Advisory Companies. FARO investment strategies span private equity, flex equity, capital markets, venture capital, and fintech, and industries include the Real Economy, Innovation, and Fashion, Luxury, and Design. FARO distinguishes itself as a scalable investment platform in which new strategies, and Advisory Companies, can be added through a plug & play approach. FARO Alternative Investments was launched in March 2024 and its partners are Augusto Balestra, Sergio Serra, Mario Gardini, and Giancarlo Galeone.