Founded in the Alpine town of Monestier-de-Clermont, France, Moncler quilted jackets were used by cold-weather workers, mountaineers and skiers. Italian entrepreneur Remo Ruffini bought the near-bankrupt company in 2003 and moved it to Milan, re-launching Moncler as a global purveyor of luxury goods. Its use of private equity financing during the late-2000s and early-2010s saw to its listing on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2013. Moncler reported €2.98 billion in revenue in 2023.[6] The house's collaborations with emerging designers and €1.15 billion-acquisition of Stone Island in 2020, has led to its increased presence in streetwear fashion.[7][8]
History
Founded in 1952 by René Ramillon and André Vincent,[9][10] the name is an abbreviation of Monestier-de-Clermont, a village in the mountains near Grenoble, France.[11] The first quilted jackets were conceived for protecting workers from the cold. They used the jackets on top of their overalls in the small mountain establishment.[12] The first to note them and realize their potential was French mountaineerLionel Terray. The result saw the specialist range "Moncler pour Lionel Terray".[13]
In 1954, Moncler quilted jackets were chosen to equip the Italian expedition to K2, which culminated with the conquest of the earth's second-highest summit by Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli.[14][15] Moncler also accompanied the French expedition which reached the summit of Makalu in 1955[16] and was the official supplier for expeditions in Alaska organised by Lionel Terray in 1964.[17] On occasion of the GrenobleWinter Olympics in 1968,[18][19] Moncler became the official supplier of the French national downhill skiing team.[18] In 1968, a cartoon duck named MonDuck was introduced as a mascot for the fashion house.[20]
In 2003, Moncler was acquired by Remo Ruffini, chairman and CEO, who was to introduce the strategy of the global quilted jacket, reinventing the near-bankrupt company.[21][22] Eurazeo, a French shareholder, invested in the Moncler group in 2011, in order to take 45% of the shares and 50% of the voting rights before selling the company for €1.4 billion in March 2019.
An IPO of Moncler on the Milan Stock Exchange took place on 16 December 2013, with an initial value of €10.20 per share.[23] The shares were 27 times oversubscribed and rose 47% on the first day, resulting in a market capitalization of more than €4 billion.[24][23][25] In February 2018 Moncler launched the Moncler Genius project, a new creative and business model where well-known designers create distinct collections interpreting Moncler's identity that are released on a monthly basis.[26][27][28]
In December 2020, Moncler purchased Italian luxury sportswear brand Stone Island for €1.15 billion.[29] In 2020, Moncler launched the "Born to Protect" sustainability plan which features renewable energy, animal welfare, recycling and charitable giving standards.[30] In December 2021 Moncler became the official formalwear partner of Inter Milan.[31]
Moncler Gamme Bleu: men's collection designed by Thom Browne and presented at Milan Fashion Week.[35] The collaboration and collection have concluded with the Spring-Summer 2018 launch.[36]
Moncler O: A collaboration between Moncler and Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh (Fall-Winter 2016-17 and Spring-Summer 2017 collections)[37]
Moncler C: A collaboration between Moncler and British designer Craig Green (Fall-Winter 2017-18 and Spring-Summer 2018 collections)[38]
In 2018 Remo Ruffini conceived the Moncler Genius project, where designers create collections interpreting Moncler's identity that are released on a monthly basis.[26][27][28]
Collaborations
The following photographers have collaborated with Moncler for institutional campaigns:
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