LONDON - Roberto Cavalli, founder of the fashion group of the same name, said he is open to selling a majority stake in his company to Swiss luxury-jewelry conglomerate Cie Financiere Richemont SA.

"Richemont is the most interesting group, because it doesn't have a lot of fashion (brands)," Cavalli was quoted as telling the Wall Street Journal.

Cavalli values a majority stake at "much more" than 1 bln eur, though he stressed he is in no hurry to sell. He expects sales at the brand to top 700 mln this year.

Saturday's edition of Il Sole 24 Ore, which first reported the possible Richemont link, had also quoted Cavalli as adding that he does not rule out an IPO for the business.