Conde Nast International has led a $20m investment in farfetch - www.farfetch.com -, the world's leading e-commerce marketplace for independent fashion boutiques; it was announced today by Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive. Existing investors Advent Venture Partners, Index Ventures and e.ventures also participated in the fundraising.

"farfetch has a unique position, connecting boutiques around the world by e-commerce to sophisticated fashion customers like our magazine readers and website users. It's a natural for Conde Nast," commented Newhouse.

Jose Neves, Founder and Chief Executive of farfetch, remarked "This investment will fuel our entry to new markets while assisting our growth in existing ones. Our goal to build a unique curated global franchise in online designer fashion is brought several steps closer through the exciting involvement of Conde Nast."

James Bilefield, President of Conde Nast International Digital, adds "As the leading multimedia publisher connecting people to the fashion brands they love, this investment underlines our commitment to extend the scope of our activities and back great entrepreneurs. It follows the recent news of our involvement with the e-commerce businesses Monoqi and Renesim in Germany, plus the investment activity of our parent company Advance Publications in the USA." As part of the investment, James Bilefield will join the farfetch board.

farfetch launched in 2008 and brings together luxury brands from over 250 of the world's most respected independent fashion boutiques for men and women. With 82,000 highly curated products from over 2,000 of the world's best brands, farfetch currently has 150,000 customers in over 140 countries. farfetch is backed by Advent Venture Partners, Index Ventures, e.ventures and Conde Nast International.

Editor's note:

Conde Nast International, a division of Advance Publications, sets the benchmark for multimedia publishing excellence. Conde Nast currently operates in 25 markets, publishing 139 magazines, over 100 websites and over 170 tablet and Smartphone apps under iconic brands such as Vogue, GQ, Glamour, Wired, Condé Nast Traveller, and Vanity Fair. Recent launches include Conde Nast Traveller in India and Russia, GQ in Brazil and Turkey, Allure in Russia, AD in China and India, Glamour in Brazil, and Vogue in Thailand and Ukraine.

farfetch is the curated online marketplace that brings together over 250 of the best independent global fashion stores, making their 82,000 highly curated products available at the click of a button. With its head office in London and satellite offices in Portugal, L.A and Brazil, farfetch forms the hub of a global fashion community that unites independent boutiques with fashion lovers. This pioneering concept brings together the collections of Europe and North America's most influential, multi-brand designer boutiques, and so provides customers with an unrivalled range of labels and products in one easy-to-shop website.