Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of fashion brand, dies aged 77

Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/10/23/one.jpg"/><figcaption>Gilberto Benetton, one of the co-founders of the Italian clothing retailer Benetton Group, is seen in this undated picture. Remo Casilli, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>ROME, Italy - Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of the eponymous clothing brand, died Monday at the age of 77 after an illness, the Italian group announced.&quot;Gilberto Benetton died at home today in Treviso (northeast Italy) following a brief illness,&quot; the Benetton group said in a brief statement.&quot;His wife Lalla, daughters Barbara and Sabrina and son-in-law Ermanno were with him in his final moments,&quot; the statement continued.His death comes 3 months after that of younger brother Carlo in July aged 74.Benetton was founded by three brothers, Luciano, Carlo, and Gilberto, and their sister Giuliana, who launched a homemade production line in Ponzano Veneto, a village near Venice, in the 1960s. Their sweaters proved popular items in local stores and a brand was born. Their signature soft wool jumpers made in a variety of colors quickly seduced the masses.The company went from strength to strength especially between 1982 and 2000 -- its fame fueled by daring ad campaigns by Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, including a 1989 poster which featured a black woman breastfeeding a white baby. But for over a decade the brand has been hit by dwindling sales.At the time of his death, Gilberto Benetton was vice-president of Edizione, the family holding company.Edizione last year booked annual revenue of 12.1 billion euros ($13.8 billion) from a business empire that stretches far beyond trendy tops to include telecoms, toll roads, catering and agriculture.Gilberto was also vice-president of Autogrill, an Italian-based multinational good and drink company.He was considered to be the one behind Benetton&#x27;s diversification away from its original clothing base, according to the AGI news agency.

ROME, Italy - Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of the eponymous clothing brand, died Monday at the age of 77 after an illness, the Italian group announced.

ROME, Italy - Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of the eponymous clothing brand, died Monday at the age of 77 after an illness, the Italian group announced.

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Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of fashion brand, dies aged 77

Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of fashion brand, dies aged 77

Agence France-Presse

Published Oct 23, 2018 06:03 AM PHT

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Gilberto Benetton

Italy

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