Salih Halassi's Amoniss eyes IKKS after acquiring Chevignon
The French fashion landscape is witnessing significant strategic maneuvers, with the Amoniss company, spearheaded by businessman Salih Halassi, recently placing a partial acquisition bid for various activities of the French premium fashion distribution giant IKKS. IKKS is currently navigating a period of receivership, making it a target for several interested parties, with Amoniss emerging as a prominent contender in this competitive bidding process.
Salih Halassi, a 50-year-old entrepreneur with a robust background in the textile industry, is known for his keen interest in business revitalization and growth through strategic acquisitions. Hailing from Troyes, where he began his career in textiles and later ventured into fabric printing, Halassi previously made headlines for his involvement in the successful relaunch of the socks brand Kindy. In 2023, his company Amoniss, in a collaborative effort with Lee Cooper France and Ibisler Tekstil, successfully acquired French fashion retailer Pimkie, which boasts over 200 stores, from the formidable Mulliez group. His ambition to expand his business portfolio through targeted takeovers was also evident in July when he was a strong candidate for the acquisition of French label Naf Naf, though it was ultimately secured by Brittany-based group Beaumanoir.
Operating with a calculated discretion, Halassi managed to secure another reputable French apparel name for Amoniss: the casualwear brand Chevignon. The change in ownership became apparent at the beginning of 2025 when it was noted that Stéphane Collaert, who had initially acquired Chevignon in 2019 with Thierry Le Guénic before later taking sole ownership, was no longer at the helm. Despite the presence of Chevignon's commercial staff at various trade shows to showcase the brand's fall/winter collection, they remained tight-lipped regarding the identity of the new proprietor, fueling speculation.
The mystery surrounding Chevignon's new owner was finally dispelled in mid-September when Amoniss publicly announced its acquisition of Établissements Charles Chevignon, the company operating the iconic French brand. Chevignon is celebrated for its distinctive tops and high-quality leather jackets, embodying a classic casualwear aesthetic. The brand currently maintains a physical retail presence with two stores in Paris, alongside additional outlets in prominent locations such as Cannes, Toulouse, and Le Touquet. Furthermore, its e-shop indicates a robust presence within half a dozen branches of the esteemed Galeries Lafayette department store.
Despite the recent high-profile acquisitions and strategic moves, Salih Halassi has maintained a remarkably low profile. When approached by FashionNetwork.com for comments regarding Chevignon’s future strategy, Halassi chose not to respond. This recent silence follows closely on the heels of Amoniss announcing a significant distribution deal with Shein in September, suggesting a deliberate decision by the businessman to operate out of the immediate media spotlight as he consolidates his growing fashion empire.
