The acquisition of Bravissimo by Wacoal Europe marks a significant development in the lingerie retail industry.
- Wacoal Europe has taken ownership of Bravissimo, a lingerie retailer, from its founders for an undisclosed amount.
- Bravissimo, established by Sarah Tremellen in 1995, will continue operations as an independent entity.
- Leanne Cahill remains as CEO of Bravissimo, with its headquarters and all stores unchanged.
- The acquisition represents a strategic partnership, enhancing growth opportunities and shared commitments.
Wacoal Europe has acquired the 27-store lingerie retailer Bravissimo from its founders, although the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. This acquisition is a pivotal move within the lingerie retail sector, given Wacoal Europe’s already well-established presence through popular brands such as Wacoal, Freya, Fantasie, Elomi, and Goddess. Bravissimo has been a retailer of some of these brands for many years, reinforcing the natural synergy between the two companies.
Founded in 1995 by Sarah Tremellen, Bravissimo specializes in providing lingerie and swimwear in D cup sizes and above, addressing a gap in the market at the time of its inception. Since 2020, the company has been under the leadership of CEO Leanne Cahill, with Sarah Tremellen transitioning to the role of chair. Despite the acquisition, Bravissimo will maintain its operational independence, with Cahill continuing to lead from its base in Leamington Spa. All UK locations remain operational, alongside a US store.
Leanne Cahill has expressed her commitment to work closely with Wacoal to leverage the growth possibilities inherent in this partnership, while still upholding Bravissimo’s established heritage and unique customer experience. She stated, “I will be working closely with the team at Wacoal to maximise the growth opportunities that our partnership will bring whilst maintaining Bravissimo’s heritage and the unique experience we offer our customers.”
Sarah Tremellen reflected on the journey of Bravissimo, emphasising the long-standing relationship with Wacoal’s brands which began from the very first day of business. She conveyed her optimism for the future success of both teams involved in the acquisition.
Geoff Embley, CEO of Wacoal Europe, articulated the strategic significance of the acquisition by highlighting the shared values and vision between the two companies, vowing to utilise the new partnership to create a robust platform for expanding their mission to deliver perfectly fitting lingerie and swimwear.
The strategic acquisition of Bravissimo by Wacoal Europe exemplifies a strong alignment of visions and values, promising sustained growth and enhanced customer experiences.
