Carl Davies of Perry Ellis Europe appointed new CEO of K-Way from June

Carl Davies is set to leave his role at Perry Ellis Europe after six years to join the Turin-based BasicNet Group as ceo of K-Way, according to UK newspaper Drapers.

Luca Lo Curzio, former CEO of K-Way, left the position last January after less than a year. Following his departure, the role of interim CEO was entrusted to Kenny Wilson.

Lo Curzio joined K-Way in February 2025 and “made a significant contribution to our organisation; the board of directors sincerely thanks him for his work and commitment over the past year,” read a company statement last January.

Davies to join BasicNet on June 16

Davies will join BasicNet on June 16, according to the British newspaper. He has led Perry Ellis Europe, owner of brands such as Original Penguin and Farah, since 2020.

FashionUnited has contacted both BasicNet and Permira for comment.

In October 2024, Permira acquired 40 percent of the capital of K-Way spa, which is wholly owned by BasicNet. BasicNet retains a stake of approximately 60 percent in K-Way. The transaction was completed in the first quarter of 2025.

“K-Way is a brand we greatly admire and we are excited about the company's future prospects and the opportunity to collaborate with BasicNet and the Boglione family,” Francesco Pascalizi, partner and managing director of Permira Italy, said in a statement in October 2024.

The K-Way brand was born in Paris in 1965. Clothing merchant Léon-Claude Duhamel observed people running in the rain with soaked clothes and cumbersome umbrellas. He had an idea to create a waterproof item that could always be carried, which was neither an umbrella nor a raincoat. This led to the creation of a revolutionary jacket: lightweight, comfortable, completely waterproof and foldable into a small pouch to be worn around the waist. Named Claude, the jacket features a colourful zip and a logo inspired by the French flag.