Zalando targets streetwear growth with Highsnobiety deal
Zalando has acquired a majority stake in global fashion and lifestyle media brand Highsnobiety, bolstering its content and commerce capabilities.
The acquisition will see Highsnobiety continue its independent operations and act as a strategic and creative consultant for the fashion e-tailer, helping develop new inspiration-focused spaces and formats on its platform.
Zalando Group will in turn allow the brand to leverage on its expertise and resources to fuel its own e-commerce capabilities.
As part of the deal, Highsnobiety will retain its editorial focus, with the publishing and agency work remaining fully independent. Highsnobiety will continue to be led by its two managing directors, David Fischer and Jürgen Hopfgartner, with Fischer retaining a minority stake in the business.
Highsnobiety was founded in Berlin in 2005 by Fischer as a blog that heralded the convergence of streetwear and high-end luxury fashion. The company currently comprises a publishing arm, creative consultancy and a curated commerce platform.
David Schneider, Zalando’s Founder and Co-CEO, said: “Both of our companies share a passion for building strong brand partnerships and enabling brands to inspire audiences with their products and stories. Partnering with Highsnobiety will allow us to execute much faster on our ambition to offer the most relevant and engaging - as well as convenient - shopping experience to our customers."
Fischer, Highsnobiety’s Founder and CEO, added: "I am very excited to bring our capabilities to Zalando's commitment towards fashion inspiration and together reimagine the future of content and commerce. Equally, I am thrilled to tap into Zalando’s unrivaled expertise in scaling e-commerce platforms and bring my lifetime’s passion work to the next level".
