The Independents Acquires Design Studio 2x4

Fashion public relations giant The Independents announced on Thursday that it acquired design studio 2x4, bolstering the group’s design and brand strategy offerings.

Founded in 1994 by Michael Rock, Susan Sellers and Georgianna Stout, 2x4 focuses on creating brand strategy, design and activations for companies and cultural institutions alike. Clients include Prada, Miu Miu and Chanel’s Arts and Culture division. Under The Independents’ ownership, 2x4 hopes to broaden its impact across fashion and luxury through access to The Independents’ network of experts across different disciplines. The studio has collaborated with multiple Independents-owned agencies in the past.

“The kind of projects we take on now require teams of experts,” said Stout in a statement. “Working with our partners in The Independents will allow us to tailor multi-discipline teams to take on any scale of challenge.”

The studio joins The Independents’ growing portfolio of 18 global agencies, including PR firms Karla Otto and Lucien Pagès, and creative agencies Kitten Production and Bureau Béatrice. In 2023, the company raised $400 million with the aim of doubling in size by 2025. In March, The Independents also launched an incubator programme to work with emerging talent and entrepreneurs, further enabling its stable agencies to access fresh perspectives.

Learn more:

Why Fashion’s Biggest PR Firms Keep Getting Bigger

With the news that The Independents is adding another firm, Ctzar, to its roster, BoF breaks down the factors driving consolidation in the space, and what it means for the industry.