Billionaire Davide De Giglio transforms Rhode into a billion-dollar empire. Now, the question remains, where will he lead Umit Benan?

In the dynamic world of fashion, two influential figures have recently joined forces. Davide De Giglio, the mastermind behind New Guards Group, and Umit Benan, the celebrated designer known for his subtle, elegant tailoring, have united to create a formidable partnership.

De Giglio, who founded and scaled New Guards Group, an investment, production, and distribution firm, brings a wealth of expertise in building global brands. His firm operates a disruptive hot-drop system and boasts a stable of 10 street fashion brands, including Virgil Abloh's Off-White, Marcelo Burlon, and Palm Angels.

Umit Benan, on the other hand, has gained a reputation for his distinctive jackets and quiet opulence in store design. His clients include celebrities like Jake Gyllenhaal, Lewis Hamilton, Bono, and Sebastian Stan, as well as soft-power pioneers and Milanese design cognoscenti.

Their paths crossed in the private client area of the Umitbenan flagship store in Milan, designed by Martin Brûlé. The investor who acquired the majority stake in Benan's brand in 2024 is the German private equity firm Ardian. However, it was Davide De Giglio's venture, D Capital, that took a majority stake in Umit Benan's label in May of the same year.

De Giglio's first encounter with Benan's work was marked by an obsession and personal approach. He commissioned a few pieces from Benan and found them to be modern and of high quality. This led him to invest in Benan's label, allowing it to return to a bigger retail stage.

With his newfound fortune, De Giglio started his own investment venture, D Capital, and began building a beauty portfolio. Another investment by De Giglio through D Capital is Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, a renowned Italian perfume and cosmetics company. He also invested in Eredi Zucca barber's shop and grooming line, founded in 1652.

Prior to his partnership with Benan, De Giglio remained on the board of Farfetch until 2023, before making an exit shortly before the company collapsed in 2024. He was cuffed with a five-year non-compete contract after leaving Farfetch.

Benan, born to Turkish parents in Stuttgart and raised in Istanbul, learned about quality from his father who owned a textiles company. His aesthetic is characterized by subtle, elegant tailoring, and his jackets are known for their distinctive yet unpronounced cuts.

The Umitbenan store, known for its quiet opulence, has a gent's den-like atmosphere. It houses prêt-à-porter clothing and abstract art by Swiss artist Not Vital. The store's investment from D Capital promises to bring Benan's unique style to a wider audience.

This partnership between De Giglio and Benan marks an exciting new chapter in the world of fashion, combining De Giglio's brand-building expertise with Benan's distinctive aesthetic. As they continue to work together, we can expect to see great things from this dynamic duo.

Billionaire Davide De Giglio transforms Rhode into a billion-dollar empire. Now, the question remains, where will he lead Umit Benan?