The inspiring history of Kering—the luxury group that includes Gucci, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent—its visionary founder François Pinault, and his talented son François-Henri Pinault, current chairman and CEO.

This richly illustrated volume traces the history of the Kering group, from its beginnings as a timber trading firm founded by François Pinault in 1962 to the global luxury group it has become today. With exceptional intuition regarding pivotal economic and societal evolutions—from sustainability to gender equality—the group has, since its creation, consistently demonstrated that audacity and imagination are the driving forces behind its development.

Contributions from renowned personalities with close ties to Kering in fashion, business, entertainment, activism, the arts, and journalism—including Jean-Jacques Aillagon, Carlo Capasa, Jean-Miche Darrois, Mercedes Erra, Jane Fonda, Franz-Olivier Giesbert, Bethann Hardison, Ghada Hatem-Gantzer, François Henrot, Huang Hong, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Alain Minc, Paul Polman, Xavier Romatet, Serge Weinberg, and Anna Wintour—accompany this exhilarating history. Featuring a wealth of photographs and documents, the volume bears witness to the company’s extraordinary journey, from the rugged coast of Brittany to the magnificently restored former hospital that houses Kering’s headquarters today.

About The Author

Tristan Gaston-Breton, specialist in the history of major French companies, has authored sixty works, including sagas devoted to the Rothschild and the Rockefeller families.