Bally, the 173-year-old Swiss luxury brand known for its heritage and craftsmanship, has been acquired by US-based investment firm Regent. Regent, which owns brands like Club Monaco and Escada, purchased Bally from JAB, the investment vehicle of Germany’s Reimann family. JAB had owned Bally since 2008 and initially attempted to sell it to Chinese conglomerate Shandong Ruyi, but the deal fell through. Regent’s founder, Michael Reinstein, praised Bally as one of the world’s great heritage luxury brands, highlighting its legacy of timeless design and Swiss elegance.

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Simone Bellotti served as the new Creative Design Director after the departure of RHUDE’s Rhuigi Villaseñor, having lasted only a year in Bally.

The sale comes amid ongoing creative changes at Bally. In 2022, Rhuigi Villaseñor was brought in to revitalize the brand but exited in May 2023, just over a year later. Shortly after, Bally appointed Simone Bellotti as design director. Bellotti, who spent 16 years at Gucci, debuted his first collection for Bally for Spring/Summer 2024, which was praised for its thoughtful and modern interpretation of the brand’s heritage. As Bally transitions under new ownership, JAB’s managing partner Joachim Creus expressed confidence in the brand’s future, noting its significant operational and creative evolution.