M&A and Funding Structures in the Luxury Sector: a Legal Perspective on High-Value Deals
Nice, France
23 October 2025 - 25 October 2025
Corporate and M&A programme
Thursday 23 October 2025 | |
| 18:30 | Welcome reception and optional dinner More details to follow soon |
Friday 24 October 2025 | |
| 09:00 | Opening of the registration desk |
| 09:30 » 10:00 | Welcome address by the AIJA Bureau Representative, the Commission Officers and the Organising Committee |
| 10:00 » 11:00 | Why and how to establish a fashion & luxury focused investment fund Keynote speaker Mr. Marco Bizzarri Marco Bizzarri is a prominent Italian business executive renowned for his transformative leadership in the fashion industry. Born in 1962 in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Bizzarri has held several high-profile roles in luxury fashion. He gained significant recognition as the CEO of Gucci, a position he held from 2015 to 2023. During his tenure, he revitalised the brand, fostering explosive growth by championing creativity and inclusivity, particularly through his partnership with former creative director Alessandro Michele. Before Gucci, Bizzarri served as CEO of Bottega Veneta and Stella McCartney, where he showcased his ability to combine innovative business strategies with an appreciation for design and culture. Known for his people-centered leadership style, Bizzarri has been widely celebrated for driving sustainability and modernising traditional luxury fashion houses. Following his departure from Gucci, Bizzarri has turned his focus to Forel, an innovative fashion venture of which he is majority shareholder and sole director, that aims to bridge sustainability and cutting-edge design. Under his guidance, Forel is positioned to redefine the industry's approach to eco-conscious luxury, leveraging advanced technologies and ethical practices to set new standards for the future of fashion. This initiative reflects Bizzarri's enduring commitment to innovation and responsible leadership. |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 » 12:30 | Panel Discussion with General Counsels from within the industry: providing an overview of key market trends on private equity and capital markets An introductory discussion with industry experts providing an overview of key market trends, setting the scene for further specific topics to be covered during the seminar. The panellists will in particular also elaborate on prevalent investment strategies by bidder type going from private equity to debt (IPOs, turnaround and other types of financing). |
| 12:30 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:00 | Panel Discussion on the Intricacies of a Due Diligence Exercise in the Fashion & Luxury Sector: asking the right questions and recognising the key issues An exchange on best practice approaches for scrutinising the legal framework underlying key value drivers of a high-end target, in particular focusing on the protection and valuation of IP and the stability and transferability of distribution structures. |
| 15:00 » 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 15:30 » 16:15 | Industry Roundtables An opportunity for sector specific networking. |
| 16:15 » 17:00 | Commission Meetings |
| 19:30 | Dinner More details to follow soon |
Saturday 25 October 2025 | |
| 09:30 | Opening of the registration desk |
| 10:00 » 10:45 | Panel Discussion on Crafting High-End Deals: Strategic Insights on Acquisitions, Exits, and Financing in the Fashion & Luxury Sector Fashion & Luxury Sector specific considerations regarding acquisitions, exits and transaction financing. In particular: Dos and Don'ts when crafting term sheets for investments in the fashion & luxury sector and when structuring exit-related provisions in the eventual shareholder and investment agreements. |
| 10:45 » 11:30 | Panel Discussion on ESG in the Fashion & Luxury Sector: impacts on financing and M&A Legislative developments and new business concepts arising from ESG considerations, including ‘green finance’ and ESG due diligence. A focus should be reserved also to sustainability-linked bonds. |
| 11:30 » 12:00 | Coffee break |
| 12:00 » 13:00 | Mock Transaction Workshop: Completing a Fashion & Luxury Sector Deal while navigating pitfalls and realising opportunities A chance for participants to apply lessons learned as they conduct their own fashion & luxury deal negotiation in collaboration with sector experts. |
| 13:00 » 14:30 | Lunch |
| 15:00 | Optional activity and dinner More details to follow soon |
Banking, Finance and Capital Markets track programme
Thursday 23 October 2025 | |
| 18:30 | Welcome reception and optional dinner More details to follow soon |
Friday 24 October 2025 | |
| 09:00 | Opening of the registration desk |
| 09:30 » 10:00 | Welcome address by the AIJA Bureau Representative, the Commission Officers and the Organising Committee |
| 10:00 » 11:00 | Why and how to establish a fashion & luxury focused investment fund Keynote speaker Mr. Marco Bizzarri |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 » 12:30 | Panel Discussion with General Counsels from within the industry: providing an overview of key market trends on private equity and capital markets An introductory discussion with industry experts providing an overview of key market trends, setting the scene for further specific topics to be covered during the seminar. The panellists will in particular also elaborate on prevalent investment strategies by bidder type going from private equity to debt (IPOs, turnaround and other types of financing). |
| 12:30 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:00 | Panel Discussion on Financing in the Fashion & Luxury Sector: a deep dive into drivers for different financing structures and where private equity strategies go wrong An investigation into the risks and drivers for different financing strategies in the luxury sector, with a discussion of the CVC Capital Partners vs L Catterton case on the acquisition of Birkenstock. |
| 15:30 » 16:15 | Industry Roundtables An opportunity for sector specific networking. |
| 16:15 » 17:00 | Commission Meetings |
| 19:30 | Dinner More details to follow soon |
Saturday 25 October 2025 | |
| 09:30 | Opening of the registration desk |
| 10:00 » 10:45 | Panel Discussion on Crafting High-End Deals: Strategic Insights on Acquisitions, Exits, and Financing in the Fashion & Luxury Sector Fashion & Luxury Sector specific considerations regarding acquisitions, exits and transaction financing. In particular: Dos and Don'ts when crafting term sheets for investments in the fashion & luxury sector and when structuring exit-related provisions in the eventual shareholder and investment agreements. |
| 10:45 » 11:30 | Panel Discussion on ESG in the Fashion & Luxury Sector: impacts on financing and M&A Legislative developments and new business concepts arising from ESG considerations, including ‘green finance’ and ESG due diligence. A focus should be reserved also to sustainability-linked bonds. |
| 11:30 » 12:00 | Coffee break |
| 12:00 » 13:00 | Mock Transaction Workshop: Completing a Fashion & Luxury Sector Deal while navigating pitfalls and realising opportunities A chance for participants to apply lessons learned as they conduct their own fashion & luxury deal negotiation in collaboration with sector experts. |
| 13:00 » 14:30 | Lunch |
| 15:00 | Optional activity and dinner More details to follow soon |
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