Italian-made direct-to-consumer intimates brand Cosabella has been acquired by Crown Brands Group for an undisclosed amount, the brand management firm said Monday. Cosabella, founded in 1983, had been owned by Swiss company Calida Group since 2022.
Via a licensing agreement, Rafar Group, which owns 70-year-old intimates maker Gelmart International, will lead product design, development, e-commerce and distribution. Gelmart has developed a number of lingerie lines, including DTC brand Lively.
Rafar also runs those operations for lingerie brand Hanky Panky, which Crown Brands acquired several months ago.
Dreamwear, which also has licenses with Laura Ashely, Nicole Miller and Juicy Couture, among others, will design and manufacture Cosabella sleepwear and loungewear, according to Crown’s press release.
In a statement, Crown Brands Group CEO Raymond Dayan alluded to Cosabella’s “true Italian craftsmanship.” When asked whether Italian manufacturing would continue under new licensing agreements, a Crown spokesperson said that “Made in Italy remains at the core of the Cosabella brand.”
The company said it’s mulling other acquisitions in a variety of categories.
"Alongside Hanky Panky, Cosabella gives Crown a clear leadership position in premium intimates, and it validates the model we set out to build: to acquire authentic heritage brands, pair them with best-in-class operating partners and invest in their next chapter of growth,” Dayan said. “Intimates is our first vertical, and Cosabella strengthens our foundation there as we look ahead to new categories."
Crown Brands is backed by the family office of Raymond Gindi, whose family co-founded legendary off-price retailer Century 21.
