“It’s a David and Goliath story.” Entrepreneur Luciano Donatelli is aware that giant groups are interested in taking control of Brooks Brothers, but he is undeterred. Donatelli has quickly put together a group of investors under the Club Deal 8 moniker, including online retailer Giglio Group, the Biella-based Gruppo Verzoletto, and a silk group from Como that has requested anonymity for the time being.

Partnering with Giglio Group is telling, since developing a bigger online business for Brooks Brothers is a key focus for the investors. Another is “to make sure the storied American company is not butchered into smaller companies by funds that could speculate on this deal.