Ralph Toledano becomes partner on board of NEO Investments

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jan 17, 2019

Ralph Toledano has yet another job.
 
The veteran fashion and luxury executive has become a partner in NEO Investments, the hard-charging private investment firm that owns significant stakes in a widening group of fashion and luxury brands including Victoria Beckham, AMI Paris, Valextra, Miller Harris and Alain Mikli.

 
Toledano is already the chairman of Beckham’s fashion house; president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, French fashion’s governing body,and a board member of the Institut Français de la Mode, Paris’ most prestigious fashion school.
 
“Ralph will actively participate in all investment activities and partner with entrepreneurs and management to accelerate brand growth,” NEO Investments said in a release.

Toledano has enjoyed a brilliant career in fashion, running such prestigious luxury brands as Karl Lagerfeld, Guy Laroche, Chloé and Puig’s fashion unit. Upon buying an estimated one-third stake in Victoria Beckham in 2017 for £30 million, the designer and the firm jointly named Toledano chairman of Victoria Beckham Limited, a role he will continue going forward.
 
“NEO will be a full time project. And I shall stay on as chairman of Beckham. I like this opportunity very much. I really, really, really enjoy helping entrepreneurs and working with different people and using the full range of my expertise. Plus, NEO is great team, with a great atmosphere. It’s lot of work but also lots of excitement and fun,” 67-year-old Toledano told FashionNetwork.com.
 
His new role is effective immediately.
 
“Ralph and I have developed strong ties over the years based on our shared values and ambitions, both human and professional. I am therefore very pleased to work together with Ralph in order to foster the development of our partners and help entrepreneurs unleash their creativity,” said David Belhassen, founding partner of NEO.
 
Added Toledano: “I am delighted to partner with David Belhassen, a great business partner and friend of many years, and the top NEO team in order to contribute to NEO’s mission to boost cult brands and help ambitious creative entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams." Toledano will hold an undisclosed stake in NEO.
 
NEO was founded in 2009 and is based in London. Its long-term goal is to build a chain of brands focusing on their untapped potential and the originality of each marque and their designers. Such as AMI, which staged a stellar show in Paris on Thursday. NEO’s other interests include Tom Dixon, classic sunglass brand Vuarnet and French patisserie chains Ladurée and Paul.