Investor takes 12.5% stake in Lanvin

PARIS Nov 18 (Reuters) - French fashion house Lanvin has found a minority investor to take a 12.5 percent stake, after a lengthy search for a financial partner to help it develop, the company said on Wednesday.

Lanvin said in a statement on Wednesday that the operation had been carried out through a capital increase.

The identity of the investor was not revealed but a source close to the matter said it was a European family-held company wanting to invest in Lanvin for the long-term.

Lanvin said the move would help its long-term plans for global expansion. The group has 19 stores of its own and 21 franchises. (Reporting by Pascale Denis; Writing by Helen Massy-Beresford; Editing by Greg Mahlich)