The traditional Swiss brand Bally has a new Chief Executive Officer. Mario Grauso succeeds Ennio Fontana, who is leaving the company. Grauso previously held a senior creative role for the brand. The industry magazine WWD first reported on the personnel on Tuesday.
Grauso has more than 20 years of experience in managing international fashion and lifestyle brands. Most recently, he was CEO of Stefano Pilati Studio since September 2024. His predecessor Fontana only came to Bally in October 2024. The Italian had previously worked in sales alongside Philipp Plein for almost two decades and then held the position of CEO at Roberto Cavalli and Dsquared2.
During Fontana’s brief tenure, Bally underwent a commercial realignment. The ambitions to compete in the luxury segment with a strong fashion approach have been scaled back. Creative director Simone Bellotti, whose collections had been positively received by the trade press, left the company and moved to Jil Sander.
Bally has been owned by the financial investor Regent since it was taken over in August 2024 by the German entrepreneurial family Reimann. The Beverly Hills-based private equity firm invests in luxury goods and retail as well as media, technology and the automotive industry. The portfolio includes the brands Escada and Club Monaco.
Note d. Editor: FashionUnited has asked Bally for comment.
