PPR set for a name change French luxury goods group PPR is planning to change its name to Kering, according to reports. PPR the French luxury goods group behind major fashion labels including Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent, is said to be changing its name in a re-branding exercise. Business of Fashion reports that the group, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will soon be known as 'Kering', the Indonesian word for dry or dried. If the planned re-branding goes ahead, it will be the fifth time the group founded by François Pinault in 1963 and now run by his son François-Henri Pinault (Mr Salma Hayek) has changed identity since being listed on the Paris stock exchange in 1988. READ: Salma Hayek: my fashion mogul husband still pays for all my clothes Although PPR have declined to confirm the planned change, the U.S. Patent & Trademark department website confirms that PPR made an application to use the name in November 2012. READ: PPR buys 51 per cent stake in Christopher Kane The move is thought to be to mark the climax of a transition period which has seen PPR - which most recently added London Fashion Week label Christopher Kane to its portfolio -transform into a luxury and sporting goods specialist.