MILAN — Elisabetta Franchi is expected to be the first fashion initial public offering of the year and, in a road show presentation on Monday, the namesake designer passionately told her life story to bankers and potential investors, explaining why the Bourse was the only possible means to ensure a long-term future for her company, founded in 1998.
A self-made woman, one of five children who grew up in dire financial straits and without a father, in one of the slides Franchi showed a drawing of a doll next to a photo of Angelina Jolie wearing one of her white, belted trenches. “I always had a vision, when I was six I knew what I wanted to do,” said Franchi, who throughout her one-hour-plus speech conveyed her determination, her sense of responsibility and focus. “I knew I wanted to dress women, it’s always been very clear in my mind.” Selling innerwear at a market in her teens, she “talked to and listened to women, developing a strong commercial sense. I knew what they wanted, and I know now what women want.”
Franchi emphasized this strong relationship with women, which has been further developed through social media and her 1.9 million Instagram followers.

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.