Etro
L Catterton (majority) · Italy
Etro is a Milan luxury house founded in 1968 by Gerolamo "Gimmo" Etro as a textile company and known worldwide for its paisley prints. Investment firm L Catterton has controlled the company since 2021, and the founding family sold its remaining stake in December 2025.
| Founded | 1968, Milan |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gerolamo (Gimmo) Etro |
| Owner | L Catterton (majority since 2021) |
| Headquarters | Milan, Italy |
| Signature | Paisley prints |
| Segment | Luxury |
| Website | etro.com |
What is Etro?
Etro is an Italian luxury brand headquartered in Milan that produces women's and men's ready-to-wear, bags, footwear, accessories, jewellery, home furnishings and textiles. It is defined by rich prints and colour, above all the paisley motif that has become its signature.
History
Gimmo Etro founded the company in 1968 as a textile design business supplying fabrics to fashion houses. Over the following decades it expanded into finished products, from home textiles to leather goods and ready-to-wear, and was run for many years by members of the Etro family. In 2021 L Catterton bought a 60 per cent stake in a deal that valued Etro at about €500 million. In 2022 Marco De Vincenzo became the first designer from outside the family to lead its collections, and he has since parted ways with the house.
Ownership
After a later capital increase, L Catterton's stake was diluted to around 51 per cent, but it retained control. On 19 December 2025 the founding family sold its remaining minority stake, which was acquired by Rams Global, Swinger International and SRI Group. Fabrizio Cardinali was appointed chief executive in 2021.
Products and positioning
Etro sits in the luxury segment with a bohemian, print-driven style that draws on its textile archive. Its home and fabric collections remain distinctive in a sector where many fashion houses have only recently entered interiors.
- Paisley and printed ready-to-wear
- Home furnishings and textiles
- Bags and leather goods
- Fragrance licensed to Coty; children's wear licensed to Simonetta
Business model and distribution
Etro sells through its own flagship stores, which numbered around 140 in 58 countries in 2021, as well as wholesale partners and e-commerce, which it added in 2013. It uses licences for fragrance and children's wear.
Why it matters
Etro's move from family control to private equity ownership, and the family's full exit in 2025, mirror a wider transition among Italian mid-sized fashion houses, where founding families are handing control to financial investors to fund growth.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Etro?
Etro is controlled by L Catterton, which bought a 60 per cent stake in 2021 and retained control after a later capital increase. The Etro family sold its remaining minority stake in December 2025 to Rams Global, Swinger International and SRI Group.
What is Etro known for?
Etro is best known for its paisley prints and colourful, print-driven designs. Founded as a textile company in Milan in 1968, it also makes home furnishings alongside fashion.