Slowear, the renowned luxury ready-to-wear group based in Venice, has recently appointed Piero Braga as its new CEO. Braga, who brings with him extensive experience in the luxury sector, was recruited from Gucci. He takes over from Marco Bernardini, who was promoted to the management team just a year ago. Braga’s appointment comes after the unfortunate passing of CEO Roberto Compagno in September 2021. Compagno, who was the son of Slowear’s founder, Carlo Compagno, successfully launched the Slowear project in 2003 with the acquisition of specialized brands Zanone, Montedoro, and Glanshirt. These acquisitions allowed Slowear to establish itself as a provider of timeless, high-quality menswear. Since then, the brand has expanded its offerings to include womenswear and introduced new product categories.
In 2018, Roberto Compagno made the decision to sell a minority stake in Slowear’s capital to Nuo Capital, an investment fund established in Milan in 2016. This transaction led to Nuo Capital gaining control of Slowear, resulting in the appointment of a new managing director and board of directors. The board includes chairman Paolo Ferrin, Giorgio Delpiano, Stefano Sassi, Piero Braga, and Monica Marsilli. With Piero Braga now assuming the role of CEO, Slowear is aiming to further accelerate its development and expansion plans. Key areas of focus for the company include the expansion of directly managed stores and the strengthening of its distribution network, ultimately providing a consistent and cohesive brand experience to its partners and customers.
Piero Braga’s extensive experience in the luxury goods industry makes him well-suited for his new role. He initially started his career at Ermenegildo Zegna in 1995 and later worked at Tod’s before joining Gucci in 2005. During his long tenure at Gucci, which spanned almost 18 years, Braga held various leadership positions and played a crucial role in the company’s success. As of now, Slowear operates 30 direct stores, including two in Paris and six in Italy, and distributes its products through approximately 400 multi-brand customers. Italy stands as the company’s largest market, accounting for 30% of its turnover, followed by Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and the United States.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Slowear managed to achieve a remarkable 20% growth in turnover in 2022. Looking ahead to the future, the company expects to achieve an even more impressive 25% growth in 2023. With Braga at the helm, Slowear aims to leverage its strong industry reputation and implement best practices to expedite the brand’s growth across all channels while maintaining its unique corporate vision. Braga’s expertise and strategic vision position him well to lead Slowear into the next phase of its journey. Overall, Slowear is primed for further expansion and success under his leadership.
Useful links:
1. Slowear official website
2. Nuo Capital official website
