Abboud

Joseph (1950). Designer born in Lebanon. Lives and works in New York. Though following a rather unusual path (he studied literature at the University of Massachusetts and at the Sorbonne in Paris), he has carved out a considerable niche in the vanguard of American style. He designs women’s wear and creates high-fashion fabrics. He combines a casual American style with the colours and fabrics of his native country. His inspiration comes especially from kilim carpets, which he collects, even when he made creations for other griffes, such as Louis in Boston. He became an established designer working with Ralph Lauren but leaves in 1986 to start his own business. Success is immediate and he later works on women’s wear, sportswear, accessories, shoes, perfumes and furniture. His men’s wear collections are presented in Europe for the first time in 1990. Brand takeover. For $65 million, GFT Net, which is the manufacturing arm of the Italian company HDP, becomes the sole owner of Abboud’s lines and licensing.
Positive results in the first quarter of the year: in contrast with the results of other HDP brands, Abboud scores a 3% increase.
Abboud is the last remaining fashion brand owned by HDP after the sale of Valentino, Sahzà, Revedi and Facis.
The year ends with revenues of €80 million and operating results of €10.5 million.
Publication of Abboud’s book Thread; he is also the official designer for various television networks, the NBC Olympics, CBS’s March Madness and NFL Today.