{
  "id": 7642636,
  "title": "Gucci owner Kering is backing Chinese fashion brand Icicle. Can it become a global luxury name?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/gucci-owner-kering-is-backing-chinese-fashion-brand-icicle-can-it-7642636",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-15T21:58:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/obsessions/gucci-owner-kering-chinese-brand-icicle-6382666"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese fashion brand Icicle, founded in 1997 and based in Shanghai, is expanding its reach internationally with the backing of Gucci owner Kering. Despite challenges within the luxury sector, Icicle aims to open stores in London, Milan, and the US, having received a minority investment from Kering in April. The Shanghai-founded label, known for its minimalist ready-to-wear clothing in cashmere and silk, recently appointed former Gucci designer Sabato De Sarno as creative director. Executive president of Icicle's parent company ICCF, Louise Xu, stated that Kering's involvement will help accelerate the brand's international development, leveraging the European expertise the group brings. While still a small player compared to luxury giants like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, Icicle's success in China and growing popularity among homegrown Chinese brands make its international expansion a noteworthy move.",
  "summary": "Icicle, a Shanghai-founded luxury brand, is expanding internationally with the backing of Gucci owner Kering. The brand, known for its minimalist ready-to-wear clothing in cashmere and silk, aims to open stores in London, Milan, and the US. According to Channel News Asia, Icicle is betting that Chinese luxury can find a place on the global stage.\n\nIcicle has already achieved success in its domestic market, operating over 240 stores in mainland China and a small number of international outlets in Paris and Ireland. The brand plans to use the minority investment from Kering to accelerate its international expansion and diversify its product range to include handbags and footwear.\n\nLouise Xu, executive president of parent company ICCF, told the Financial Times that the partnership with Kering will help Icicle accelerate its development and continue its international expansion. Icicle appointed former Gucci designer Sabato De Sarno as creative director last week.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Business",
        "title": "Gucci owner Kering is backing Chinese fashion brand Icicle. Can it become a global luxury name?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/gucci-owner-kering-is-backing-chinese-fashion-brand-icicle-can-it",
        "published": "2026-09-15T21:58:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}