Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli, renowned for eye-popping glitz, is talking to possible investors about selling a stake in the company and taking it onto the stock market.
"There are negotiations under way with various fashion groups and certain investment funds. We looking at the possibilities," said Eva Cavalli, wife of the maison's 62-year-old founder and chief designer.
She said she and her husband were still unsure whether to offer a majority stake in the label, which took off in the 1970s and which now comprises four lines with combined turnover in the hundreds of millions of euros.
Cavalli is known for using wild animal prints and sexy cuts in his design, leading to comparisons with designer Gianni Versace. He is popular with many young celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Paris Hilton.
The entry of a new partner into Roberto Cavalli would "support our growth on new markets like Japan and China," Eva Cavalli said, noting however that a bourse quotation was at least a year away.
"These are decisions to be taken very carefully," she said.
The group is expecting to make inroads in China and Japan this year thanks to the heavy publicity planned by Swedish fashion retailer H&M for its new collection designed by Roberto Cavalli.
Cavalli has signed a deal with H&M to create a one-off collection - 20 pieces of womenswear and 20 of menswear, plus accessories - which will be in 200 of the retailer's stores on October 8.
Roberto Cavalli said he was "flattered" to become the first Italian to ink a contract with H&M, which in the past has collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld and Stella Mccartney.
Cavalli is scoffed at by some commentators as a 'guru of glitz' with a talent for appealing to footballers' wives and jewel-laden superstars. But his popularity shows no signs of waning.
Recently he has designed outfits for Shakira's Oral Fixation Tour and her celebrity appearances as well. He also recently designed outfits for Christina Aguilara's tour.
