Prada taps Goldman Sachs to advise on $2.5B Versace takeover

Goldman Sachs is reportedly leading a group of top investment banks to help Italian design giant Prada bankroll its planned $2.5 billion bid for luxury rival Versace.The David Solomon-led lender has been advising the fashion powerhouse on its bid to acquire Versace from parent company Capri Holdings, the Milan-based business daily MFF reported on Friday.Prada is looking to drum up $1.5 billion to complete the takeover, with another $1 billion earmarked to relaunch and revive Versace’s Medusa brand, the newspaper said.A Goldman Sachs spokesperson declined to comment.The Post reached out to Prada and Versace for comment.There has been no indication from Capri executives as to whether they would accept an offer for the beleaguered Versace label at that price, despite the company’s sliding sales and $3 billion debt pile.US-based Capri also owns Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, along with the famed Italian label founded by Gianni Versace, who was murdered in 1997 outside his Miami Beach house at age 50.Donatella Versace, Gianni’s sister, stepped down as the company’s main designer three weeks ago amid rumors of a possible deal.Dario Vitale, previously a protégé of Miuccia Prada at sister label Miu Miu, was appointed as the chief creative officer in her place.

Andrea Guerra and Lorenzo Bertelli — the eldest son of Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, and head of corporate social responsibility — traveled to New York three weeks ago for talks about the possible deal, according to MFF.Prada’s takeover plans would help CEO Andrea Guerra’s stated goal of doubling its revenue from $5 billion to $10 billion....