MILAN — Vionnet is closing its operations.
As revealed via a press note on Tuesday, Vionnet Srl and the operating company NVO Srl are going through a voluntary liquidation.
“With the experience and acquired wisdom in the turbulent environment of today’s transformed fashion industry, Vionnet has decided to redefine its activities in the light of Madeleine Vionnet’s timeless heritage and entrepreneurial vision and courage and engage in innovative ways pursuant to sustainable development strategies. We see it as the only way forward for us and humanity as a whole,” said Goga Ashkenazi, chairwoman and creative director of Vionnet.
Ashkenazi took control of Vionnet in 2012, when the Kazakhstan entrepreneur acquired the fashion house from co-owners Matteo Marzotto and former Marni chief executive officer Gianni Castiglioni. The duo first invested in Vionnet in 2009 with the intent of giving new life to the French label established by Madeleine Vionnet in 1912.
Ashkenazi assumed the role of creative director in fall 2012, following the exit of sisters Barbara and Lucia Croce at the end of August that year. Before the Croce sisters, Vionnet was designed by Rodolfo Paglialunga, who had been tapped by Marzotto and Castiglioni.
Last May, Vionnet, which operates a boutique on Paris’ Rue François 1er, unveiled an eco-friendly capsule collection developed in collaboration with artist Marc Quinn. In particular, Ashkenazi, who is a major art collector, looked to Quinn’s “Raft Paintings” series, which features rafts made from colorful plastic bags, and created a 340-piece Sustainable Surf lineup that included coats, dresses, blouses, trousers, cardigans, sweaters, hoodies, jumpsuits and T-shirts. The Vionnet store in Milan was closed in March 2016.
In September, Vionnet, which in past seasons invested in prestigious locations for its events during Milan Fashion Week, skipped the usual runway show to unveil its collection with a more subdued presentation hosted in the garden of Ashkenazi’s house in the heart of Milan.
According to speculation last year, Ashkenazi was said to be looking for potential investors to boost the brand’s stagnating business.