Latest news with #TheIndependents
Business of Fashion
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
The Independents Acquires Culinary Studio We Are Ona
Fashion communications conglomerate The Independents has acquired culinary studio We Are Ona. Founded in Paris in 2019 by chef and Noma alumnus Luca Pronzato, We Are Ona produces immersive dinners, including for Chanel, Balenciaga, Coperni, Alaïa and Saint Laurent. After working together on various projects for clients over the past few years, joining forces felt inevitable, said Independents co-founder and chief executive Isabelle Chouvet. 'We started to collaborate a lot and then it was natural that we had to officialise this union,' said Chouvet. '[Pronzato] is the only one doing what he's doing. He is able to push the boundaries of innovation, he is the only one who has the network of talents. He has the vision and understands the client's needs.' We Are Ona collaborates with artists like Willo Perron, who has staged shows for Beyoncé and Drake; Carsten Höller, known for his interactive installations; and Michelin-starred chefs including Dalad Kambhu and Mory Sacko. Beyond producing events for brands, the firm hosts pop-ups open to the public, most recently a restaurant experience featuring a dramatic, 100-feet-long sculptural lighting installation in New York's WSA Building with fashion show producer Alexandre de Betak (whose Bureau Betak was acquired by The Independents in 2021) in May. The set of a We Are Ona-produced dinner for Balenciaga. (Courtesy) Being under The Independents' umbrella will help We Are Ona continue expansion in the US (where it opened an office earlier this year), the Middle East and Asia, said Pronzato. This marks The Independents' first acquisition in the culinary space; it comes as foodie culture reaches a new zenith, and as food becomes an increasingly important tool fashion brands use to engage their customers. When it comes to food, fashion brands are raising the stakes — looking for high-production events that double as marketing moments: 'It's not only dinner to have a dinner, it's dinner to create a brand moment,' said Pronzato. 'These experiences can create an emotional link. When you sit at the table, the experience is different than when you buy a bag.' The acquisition is The Independents' third this year, and part of an ongoing spree that began in 2023 when it set its sights on doubling in size. In April, The Independents bought design studio 2x4 and in May, Paris-based documentary production company Terminal 9 Studios. Now, the company has over 20 agencies in its ranks and counts over 1,200 employees in offices across cities including Barcelona, Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Seoul, Shanghai and Paris. Group revenue totalled $800 million in 2024, according to the company. Learn more: Why Food Is Everywhere in Fashion Advertising As foodie culture peaks and the cost of living rises, food is popping up more than ever in fashion imagery.
Business of Fashion
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
The Independents Acquires Terminal 9 Studios
Fashion public relations conglomerate The Independents announced Wednesday that it acquired Paris-based documentary production company Terminal 9 Studios, a move meant to expand the group's content and entertainment capabilities. Founded by Claude Lacaze in 2013, Terminal 9 Studios specialises in long-form storytelling for luxury brands; it has worked with clients including Dior and Mugler. The previously independent production company's flagship series, 'Inside the Dream,' follows the design processes of Lucia Silvestri, creative director of high jewellery at Bulgari, and is available on Prime Video. Under The Independents' ownership, Terminal 9 Studios hopes to expand its collaborations with partners across the fashion PR giant, with Lacaze remaining as chief executive. 'Long-form documentaries offer an opportunity to explore brand narratives in a more nuanced and emotionally resonant way,' Lacaze said in a statement. 'With The Independents, we're excited to deliver a fully integrated approach — connecting powerful storytelling with strategic amplification across communications and experiences, in collaboration with our partners across the group.' Terminal 9 Studios is The Independents' latest acquisition in a fast-growing portfolio of 19 global agencies, including PR firm Karlo Otto, creative agencies Kitten Production and Bureau Béatrice and design studio 2x4. Just last week, it announced it was backing PR firm Lucien Pagès' joint venture with AIPR. In March, the Banijay Group- and Towerbrook Capital Partners-backed PR giant launched an incubator programme to support emerging talent, entrepreneurs and creative agencies. ADVERTISEMENT 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.
Fashion United
09-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Lucien Pagès creates a joint venture with AIPR in the UK
French company Lucien Pagès Communication has merged with AIPR and created the joint venture Lucien Pagès & AIPR in the UK. Five months after its acquisition by international company The Independents, the Lucien Pagès Communication agency is implementing its expansion strategy with the creation of Lucien Pagès & AIPR. The new entity was created with London-based agency AIPR, founded by Adam Iezzi in 2005. It represents fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands such as Moncler, JW Anderson, Loewe, Alaïa, Zara and Zara Home. In a statement, Adam Lezzi said that he had been working with Lucien Pagès for over 15 years. 'From our first meeting, I realised that we shared the same values: an absolute requirement in terms of communication, a passion for creativity and great professional rigour,' said the founder of AIPR. He added: 'He has become an ally in the work, and more than that, a friend. Thanks to Lucien Pagès' international reach and The Independents' extended network, I will be able to offer an even stronger service to my clients, while strengthening my team.' Lucien Pagès explained that this alliance is the result of a long discussion between Adam and himself. He added: 'Today, as a member of The Independents, it's the perfect time to make this project a reality. I couldn't be happier.' Acquired in December 2024 by The Independents group, Lucien Pagès Communication is a public relations agency founded in Paris in 2006. It supports established and emerging brands in the fashion and luxury sectors and, since 2019, has had an office in New York, in addition to its Paris office. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Fashion Network
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Lucien Pagès creates UK joint venture with AIPR
Paris-based PR agency Lucien Pagès has formed a joint venture for the UK market with London-based agency AIPR, creating a unit that will operate in the UK under the title Lucien Pagès & AIPR. The move comes five months after Pagès sold control of his company to The Independents, a burgeoning conglomerate of PR agencies, publicists, show producers, and influencer marketing platforms. 'Lucien introduced us to Adam, and we were immediately impressed by the quality of his customer portfolio and reputation, which naturally aligned with our own values. I knew they had been talking about working together for some time, and I'm delighted that the group was able to facilitate this match-up. This alliance is a perfect illustration of the synergies we wish to encourage, and we are delighted to welcome Adam and his team to The Independents,' said Isabelle Chouvet, CEO of The Independents, in a release. In London, AIPR handles brands like Moncler, Loewe, Kenzo, Rabanne, and Acne Studios. Based in Paris, Lucien Pagès handles brands like JW Anderson, Sacai, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, and Uniqlo. 'I've often been asked why I've never opened an office in London, especially given how much I love the city. I go there regularly for work, and the London media have always been a great influence on our community. The truth is, Adam offered a service that perfectly complemented my own. We have long shared clients and a very similar approach to our business. This alliance is the fruit of a long discussion between Adam and me, and today, as a member of The Independents, is the perfect time to bring this project to fruition,' said Pagès. Pagès founded his own agency in 2006 in Paris and subsequently opened an office in New York. Added Iezzi: 'I've been working with Lucien Pagès for over fifteen years, and I couldn't imagine a more natural partner to write the next chapter of my agency. From the very first time we met, I knew we shared the same values: the highest standards in communications, a passion for creativity, and the utmost professional rigor. He became an ally in our work, and more than that, a friend. Thanks to the international reach of Lucien Pagès and the expanded network of The Independents, I'll be able to offer an even stronger service to my customers while strengthening my team.' The somewhat ironically named The Independents currently regroups the following agencies: 2x4, Atelier Athem, Atelier Lum, Bureau Béatrice, Bureau Betak & Bureau Future, Ctzar, Inca Productions, Karla Otto, Kennedy, Kitten Production, Kitty Events, K2, Lefty, Lucien Pagès Communication, Prodject, Sunshine, and The Qode. Following a capital investment of $400 million in 2023, The Independents' two shareholders of reference are TowerBrook—a London and New York-based international investment firm—and FL Entertainment, a global leader in the entertainment industry.
Fashion Network
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Lucien Pagès creates UK joint venture with AIPR
Paris-based PR agency Lucien Pagès has formed a joint venture for the UK market with London-based agency AIPR, creating a unit that will operate in the UK under the title Lucien Pagès & AIPR. The move comes five months after Pagès sold control of his company to The Independents, a burgeoning conglomerate of PR agencies, publicists, show producers, and influencer marketing platforms. 'Lucien introduced us to Adam, and we were immediately impressed by the quality of his customer portfolio and reputation, which naturally aligned with our own values. I knew they had been talking about working together for some time, and I'm delighted that the group was able to facilitate this match-up. This alliance is a perfect illustration of the synergies we wish to encourage, and we are delighted to welcome Adam and his team to The Independents,' said Isabelle Chouvet, CEO of The Independents, in a release. In London, AIPR handles brands like Moncler, Loewe, Kenzo, Rabanne, and Acne Studios. Based in Paris, Lucien Pagès handles brands like JW Anderson, Sacai, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, and Uniqlo. 'I've often been asked why I've never opened an office in London, especially given how much I love the city. I go there regularly for work, and the London media have always been a great influence on our community. The truth is, Adam offered a service that perfectly complemented my own. We have long shared clients and a very similar approach to our business. This alliance is the fruit of a long discussion between Adam and me, and today, as a member of The Independents, is the perfect time to bring this project to fruition,' said Pagès. Pagès founded his own agency in 2006 in Paris and subsequently opened an office in New York. Added Iezzi: 'I've been working with Lucien Pagès for over fifteen years, and I couldn't imagine a more natural partner to write the next chapter of my agency. From the very first time we met, I knew we shared the same values: the highest standards in communications, a passion for creativity, and the utmost professional rigor. He became an ally in our work, and more than that, a friend. Thanks to the international reach of Lucien Pagès and the expanded network of The Independents, I'll be able to offer an even stronger service to my customers while strengthening my team.' The somewhat ironically named The Independents currently regroups the following agencies: 2x4, Atelier Athem, Atelier Lum, Bureau Béatrice, Bureau Betak & Bureau Future, Ctzar, Inca Productions, Karla Otto, Kennedy, Kitten Production, Kitty Events, K2, Lefty, Lucien Pagès Communication, Prodject, Sunshine, and The Qode. Following a capital investment of $400 million in 2023, The Independents' two shareholders of reference are TowerBrook—a London and New York-based international investment firm—and FL Entertainment, a global leader in the entertainment industry.
