Lancel
Piquadro Group · France
Lancel is a French leather goods house founded in Paris in 1876 by Angèle and Alphonse Lancel. It was owned by Richemont from 1997 and sold to Italy's Piquadro Group in 2018.
| Founded | 1876 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Angèle and Alphonse Lancel |
| Owner | Piquadro Group (since 2018) |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Previous owner | Richemont (1997 to 2018) |
| Signature bags | Elsa, Ninon |
| Website | lancel.com |
What is Lancel?
Lancel is a Paris-based leather goods and handbag brand founded in 1876 by Angèle and Alphonse Lancel. It began by making pipes and smoking accessories before moving into leather goods and handbags. Albert Lancel, the founders' son, led the company from 1901 and built it into a global brand, according to Wikipedia.
History
In 1970 Salvador Dali designed the Le Dali handbag for the house. The Elsa bucket bag was relaunched in 1987 and sold 6 million pieces within ten years. Swiss luxury group Richemont acquired Lancel in 1997 for 270 million euros and sold it in 2018 to the Italian company Piquadro Group. The Ninon bag, launched after the 2018 acquisition, became the brand's best seller.
Ownership
As of the source consulted, Lancel belongs to Piquadro Group (Piquadro SpA). The same entry names Giovanni Bonatti as chief executive but does not name a creative director, and neither appointment is verified for 2026 here.
Business model and distribution
Lancel runs a flagship store at Place de l'Opera in Paris and more than 80 other boutiques worldwide, according to Wikipedia, which points to a strong own-retail model. The source does not give the split between own stores, wholesale and online, and gives no revenue figure.
Why it matters
Lancel is a long-standing French handbag name whose change of owner from a Swiss luxury group to an Italian leather goods company is typical of the consolidation of mid-sized accessories brands. It is a reference point for premium French leather goods outside the largest luxury groups.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Lancel?
Lancel is owned by the Italian Piquadro Group, which bought it in 2018 from Richemont. Richemont had acquired the brand in 1997.
Where is Lancel from?
Lancel is from Paris, France, where it was founded in 1876. It operates a flagship on Place de l'Opera and boutiques worldwide.