Dolce & Gabbana takes control of Fabi. The transaction was public knowledge in the Marche footwear district, but was never officialized. Yet, the acquisition showed on the brand’s balance sheet and was concluded in August 2024. On this date, the company Manifatture Italiane, a subsidiary of the Dolce & Gabbana group, acquired a branch of its supplier that was struggling.
Dolce & Gabbana takes control
Dolce & Gabbana has strengthened its production chain by acquiring one of its suppliers: Fabi shoe factory, based in Monte San Giusto (Macerata). Founded in 1965, Fabi has been a major player in the footwear district of the Marche region, also thanks to its expansion in the Russian market. By 2012, its turnover had reached 46 million euro and it had around 370 employees. In 2014, Fabi inaugurated Palazzo Fabi in Rome, a 700-square-metre space in Via del Babuino. Then, partly due to the collapse of the Russian market, the crisis set in. In the spring of 2024, the entity restructured its debts through an agreement with bank and financial creditors that was approved by the Court of Macerata. At that time there were 170 employees.
In chronological order
In the meantime, negotiations started by Dolce & Gabbana through its subsidiary Manifatture Italiane, led to the takeover of Fabi’s business unit. Fashion Magazine reports that the deal also includes the Fabi and Barracuda brands, which are described by the brand as having “interesting development opportunities”. These two brands contributed, albeit partially, to the turnover of the balance sheet (April 2024-March 2025) of Manifatture Italiane (€11.8 million), which in turn was included in the profit and loss accounts of Dolce & Gabbana under the heading ‘Licences and other’ (€57.7 million with a growth of 37%).
D&G’s results
Overall, Dolce & Gabbana’s balance sheet closed with revenues of €1.9 billion, +4% over the previous year (-0.2% at constant exchange rates). Sales in the “Fashion and Home” division fell by 8% (-7% at constant exchange rates) to €1.23 billion, while the beauty segment grew (+30%) to €603 million. The year ended with a net loss of 116.8 million euro, up from the 13.6 million of the previous year. The net financial position was -453 million euro, up from the previous negative 167.3 million. This is why there was talk about D&G in October and November, as the group allegedly searched for an investor and the restructuring of debt with banks.
Photo Fabi Footwear
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