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WASHINGTON, D.C., United States — Carlyle Group LP is considering a sale of Golden Goose, the Italian luxury sneaker brand favoured by celebrities from Selena Gomez to Taylor Swift, people with knowledge of the matter said.
The private equity firm is working with Bank of America Corp. on the potential deal, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Golden Goose, known for its vintage-style footwear emblazoned with the brand’s iconic star on the side, could fetch more than €1 billion ($1.1 billion), the people said.
Golden Goose, founded in 2000 by Venetian designers Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo, makes sneakers that can sell for €400 a pair. It generates annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of about €80 million, the people said.
Deliberations are at an early stage, and there’s no certainty they will lead to a transaction, the people said. Representatives for Carlyle and Bank of America declined to comment.
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Carlyle acquired Golden Goose from Ergon Capital Partners SA in 2017. The deal valued the business at about €400 million, people with knowledge of the matter said at the time.
By Sarah Syed and Dinesh Nair; editors: Dinesh Nair, Ben Scent and Colin Keatinge.
