Tonino PERNA
Chairman, IT Holding
A precise vision and a unique business model have guided Tonino Perna in his shift from the production of jeans to the founding of IT Holding, a multi-brand group that reported consolidated sales in the last accounting year of 527 million euros and a 1992-2001 CAGR of 21%. Perna's idea was to offer to the most prestigious Italian labels a production and commercial structure that would maintain the brands' reputations. He acquired the Trussardi Jeans and Action licenses in 1985, while his agreement with Versace for Versus, Versace Jeans Couture and Signature dates to 1988. Dolce & Gabbana signed on for the D&G brand in 1993 and Ferré for his jeans in 1995. The following year, the company brought out its own brand, Exté, and in 1997 the company was listed on the Stock Exchange. An acquisitions campaign started in 1999 with Malo, Gentryportofino, Romeo Gigli and the Allison eyeglass company. In addition, a new licensing deal was signed with Roberto Cavalli for the Just Cavalli line. Last year, Perna created the ITF Cosmetics and Perfumes Division, SpA.and Ferré was shifted to IT Holding by GTP Holding, SpA, the Roman financial company that is also headed by Perna and that reports total sales of more than six billion euros in various fields (from financial services for Diners Club Europe to the Franco Maria Ricci publishing co.)