LVMH collects brands the way some people collect watches — the more, the better. Kering does something fundamentally different.
Where Bernard Arnault’s empire spans 75 Maisons and six business divisions, François-Henri Pinault’s Kering group owns roughly a dozen. That is not a weakness. It is a strategy — one built on concentration, creative risk-taking, and an unusual willingness to sell what no longer fits. Understanding every Kering brand means understanding a fundamentally different philosophy of luxury.
Kering is the luxury group that divested Puma, sold its entire beauty division to L’Oréal, and moved Gucci’s creative director to a rival Maison within the same portfolio. In an industry that prizes stability, Kering bets on reinvention.
Kering SA (PPRUY), formerly known as PPR until 2013, is a global luxury powerhouse headquartered in Paris. The French luxury group owns some of the world’s most iconic names in fashion, leather goods, jewelry, watches, and eyewear.
What began in 1962 as a timber-trading company has undergone a remarkable evolution, becoming a pure luxury player in 2018.
Now helmed by CEO and Chairman François-Henri Pinault, son of founder Francois Pinault, Kering boasts a dazzling portfolio of luxury brands, including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Brioni.
Here is every brand in the group, how it got there, and why Kering’s approach produces results that a buy-and-hold strategy never could.
- Founded in: 1962
- Company Type: Public
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Group CEO: François-Henri Pinault
- Employees: 49,000+
- Website: kering.com
What brands does Kering own?
Kering owns 12 brands organised across three divisions: Fashion & Leather Goods, Jewellery, and Eyewear. Unlike LVMH’s contrasting buy-and-hold empire, which stretches from cognac to cruise ships, Kering’s portfolio is tightly focused on personal luxury goods. Every brand in the group either makes clothes, accessories, jewellery, or eyewear — nothing else.The group reported revenue of EUR 14.7 billion in FY 2025, down from EUR 17.2 billion in 2024. That decline — driven largely by Gucci’s ongoing reset — masks a more nuanced picture. The jewellery houses posted double-digit growth. Kering Eyewear expanded to EUR 1.6 billion. And the group’s new CEO, Luca de Meo, has already begun restructuring in ways that suggest the portfolio will look different again within two years.
The fashion houses: Six Maisons, one dominant force
Gucci
Founded by Guccio Gucci in 1921 in Florence, Gucci epitomizes Italian craftsmanship and bold luxury fashion. Known for its eclectic yet sophisticated designs, the historic luxury brand offers high-end apparel, accessories, and lifestyle items. In 1999, Kering’s leap into luxury began with the acquisition of Gucci.
- Founded in: 1921
- Country: Italy
- Year acquired by Kering: 1999
- Website: gucci.com
Saint Laurent
Known for its boundary-pushing designs, Saint Laurent offers iconic fashion pieces, including clothes and accessories that exude timeless Parisian chic. Founded by Yves Saint Laurent in 1961, it was the first couture house to launch ready-to-wear with its groundbreaking “Rive Gauche” line in 1966.
- Founded in: 1961
- Country: France
- Year acquired by Kering: 1999
- Website: ysl.com
Bottega Veneta
Born in Vicenza, Italy, in 1966, Bottega Veneta is celebrated for its signature intrecciato leather weave, exuding understated elegance and superior craftsmanship.
- Founded in: 1966
- Country: Italy
- Year acquired by Kering: 2001
- Website: bottegaveneta.com
Balenciaga
Founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917 in the Basque Country, Balenciaga pushes the boundaries of fashion with its avant-garde designs and experimental silhouettes. Under Demna Gvasalia’s highly influential (and polarizing) creative direction, the Spanish label has gained a cult following, attracting the likes of Hailey Bieber, Ye, and Kim Kardashian.
- Founded in: 1917
- Country: Spain
- Year acquired by Kering: 2001
- Website: www.balenciaga.com
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen, established in 1992 by Lee Alexander McQueen, is a British luxury fashion house that seamlessly blends dark romanticism with bold, rebellious artistry. In 2001, Alexander McQueen became part of Kering.
- Founded in: 1992
- Country: United Kingdom
- Year acquired by Kering: 2001
- Website: alexandermcqueen.com
Brioni
Founded in 1945 by Nazareno Fonticoli and Gaetano Savini in Rome, Brioni epitomizes Italian sartorial excellence. Renowned for its bespoke tailoring and luxury menswear, Brioni joined Kering in 2011.
- Founded in: 1945
- Country: Italy
- Year acquired by Kering: 2011
- Website: brioni.com
Boucheron
Established in 1858 by Frédéric Boucheron, this Parisian high jewelry house embodies the spirit of French elegance. Known for its heritage pieces and timeless designs, Boucheron has been part of Kering since 2000.
- Founded in: 1858
- Country: France
- Year acquired by Kering: 2000
- Website: boucheron.com
Pomellato
Pomellato is an Italian fashion fine jeweler established in 1967 by Pino Rabolin. The Kering-owned brand brings a modern touch to fine jewelry with colorful gemstones and bold yet playful designs.
- Founded in: 1967
- Country: Italy
- Year acquired by Kering: 2013
- Website: pomellato.com
DoDo
The Italian jewelry brand Pomellato established DoDo in 1994. DoDo offers playful and creative jewelry pieces. It focuses on sustainably sourced materials and message personalization, making fine jewelry accessible and fun for a wide audience.
- Founded in: 1994
- Country: Italy
- Year acquired by Kering: 2013
- Website: dodo.com
Qeelin
Founded in 2004 by Dennis Chan, the Kering-owned Chinese jewelry brand Qeelin blends Chinese heritage with modern luxury.
- Founded in: 2004
- Country: China
- Year acquired by Kering: 2013
- Website: qeelin.com
Ginori 1735
Since 1735, Ginori 1735 has been crafting exquisite porcelain tableware in Italy. The brand elevates luxury home decor by combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.
- Founded in: 1735
- Country: Italy
- Year acquired by Kering: 2013
- Website: ginori1735.com
Kering Eyewear
Launched in 2014 by Kering, Kering Eyewear designs, manufactures, and distributes eyewear for many of the group’s luxury brands. It delivers high-quality craftsmanship and innovation in the eyewear sector.
- Founded in: 2014
- Country: Italy
- Website: keringeyewear.com
Kering Beauté
Established in 2023, Kering Beauté focuses on the beauty segment, developing and managing fragrance and cosmetic products for the luxury brands within the Kering portfolio.
- Founded in: 2023
- Country: France
- Website: kering.com