Zalando, a leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle in Europe, and Highsnobiety, the global pioneer of the new luxury culture, have jointly announced that Zalando has acquired a majority stake in Highsnobiety. The two companies will join forces to lead the way in engaging and inspiring customers. They will leverage each other's complementary strengths by bringing together Highsnobiety’s cultural relevance and insight, fashion authority and storytelling expertise with Zalando’s fashion network, e-commerce know-how and operational capabilities.

While continuing independent operations, Highsnobiety will act as a strategic and creative consultant helping Zalando develop new inspiration-focused spaces and formats on its platform. Highsnobiety’s unique capabilities will play into Zalando’s ambitions to weave inspirational experiences into the customer journey and create an exciting and engaging online environment for both consumers and brands. In turn, joining the Zalando Group allows Highsnobiety to leverage Zalando’s expertise and resources to fuel its own e-commerce capabilities.

Highsnobiety was founded in Berlin in 2005 by David Fischer as a blog that heralded the convergence of streetwear and high-end luxury fashion. Today, Highsnobiety comprises a publishing arm, creative consultancy and a curated commerce platform, counting among the most influential global voices in the new luxury space and in culture at large. Teaming up with Highsnobiety will accelerate Zalando's ambition to be a top destination for streetwear, new luxury and fashion inspiration, especially for the younger, fashion-forward consumers

As part of the deal, Highsnobiety will retain its editorial and curational autonomy, with the publishing and agency work remaining fully independent. Highsnobiety will continue to be led by its two managing directors, David Fischer and Jürgen Hopfgartner, and founder David Fischer will retain a minority stake in the business. All parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details. Highsnobiety was advised in this transaction by Liontree, V14 - Vogel, Heerma & Waitz and Taxess. Zalando was advised by White&Case, PwC and McKinsey.