Marquee Brands has secured a majority interest in Roberto Cavalli through a strategic partnership with Dubai-based DAMAC Group, positioning the iconic Italian luxury house for a bold new chapter of global growth. Founded in Florence in 1970, Roberto Cavalli has long been synonymous with glamorous, avant-garde fashion and distinct Italian craftsmanship. The brand joins Marquee Brands‘ portfolio of heritage names, which includes Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sur La Table, BCBGMAXAZRIA, and Stance, among others.
With this addition, Marquee Brands brings its total portfolio-wide retail sales to approximately $5 billion, cementing its standing as a powerhouse in the luxury and lifestyle sectors. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which DAMAC Group will remain a significant shareholder.
What Each Partner Brings
Marquee Brands, owned by funds managed by Neuberger, a global investment management firm, is no stranger to reviving heritage brands. Roberto Cavalli marks the twenty-second brand in its growing global portfolio. For its part, DAMAC Group is a global conglomerate founded by Hussain Sajwani in 1982 that has expanded from catering and logistics into luxury real estate, hospitality, data centers, and fashion. DAMAC Properties is the largest private real estate developer in the UAE and the Middle East, having delivered more than 50,000 homes with over 55,000 more in development.
The Growth Blueprint
Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands, “said”: “Roberto Cavalli stands as one of luxury’s defining Italian houses, with a bold creative identity and enduring brand ethos. We see extraordinary potential to build on that foundation through thoughtful brand stewardship and strategic expansion. In partnership with DAMAC, a leader in luxury real estate, we will continue to elevate the Roberto Cavalli experience worldwide.”
Hussain Sajwani, Founder of DAMAC Group, “said”: “Roberto Cavalli is one of the most distinctive luxury brands in the world. After several years of solidifying the brand’s foundation, we set out to find a strategic partner with the skillset to take the brand to the next level. We are confident Marquee Brands is the right partner to do so.”
Milan and the Middle East at the Center
On the operational front, Marquee Brands has named Milan-based The Level Group (TLG) as its core operating partner. TLG will lead the development, manufacturing, and distribution of Roberto Cavalli‘s women’s and men’s collections, while also taking responsibility for retail, e-commerce, and wholesale distribution across Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, DAMAC will continue to scale the brand’s presence through Roberto Cavalli-branded residences and hospitality projects across key global markets, an area that remains fully owned and operated by DAMAC. Together, the partnership will accelerate expansion across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Zachary Sigel, Managing Director at Neuberger and Co-Founder of Marquee Brands, “said”: “The acquisition of Roberto Cavalli reinforces Neuberger‘s confidence in the platform and its ability to continue to create value for investors.”
