The Independents acquires culinary studio We Are Ona

Communications group The Independents has announced the acquisition of We Are Ona, a culinary studio and food production agency. 

We are Ona is known for redefining the boundaries of gastronomy through immersive, site-specific dining experiences. 

Since its founding in 2019 by Luca Pronzato, it has launched pop-ups, intimate private dinners and large-scale cultural events for brands like Alaïa, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Jacquemus. The studio also frequently partners with creative visionaries including artist Carsten Höller, designers Cristina Celestino and Willo Perron, and chefs Dalad Kambhu and Mory Sacko. 

“Food is not only about taste. It’s a powerful medium to tell stories, spark emotion and elevate brand experiences,” said Isabelle Chouvet, founder and chief executive of The Independents. 

“Across The Independents, we have been working with Luca and We are Ona for many years. Now, as part of our collective, we are excited to deepen those synergies, crafting immersive and community-driven experiences at the intersection of gastronomy, art and design for our world-class clients.”

The acquisition expands The Independents’ live experiences offering, positioning the group as the definitive partner for culture-defining brands.

Over the last few years, The Independents has strengthened its creative expertise through a series of acquisitions. Most recently, it acquired the Bureau Béatrice agency, as well as Kitten Production. 

The collective also includes 2×4, Atelier Athem, Atelier Lum, Bureau Betak & Bureau Future, Ctzar, Inca Productions, Karla Otto, Kennedy, Kitty Events, k2, Lefty, Lucien Pagès Communication, Prodject, Sunshine, Terminal 9 Studios, and The Qode.

“This initiative with Isabelle feels like a natural evolution. For years, and as a long-standing member of We are Ona’s growing global community, she has understood the power of culinary culture in today’s creative industries. Joining forces now is both inspiring and empowering, as we aim to push boundaries and craft pioneering experiences that connect people, brands and ideas in meaningful new ways,” added Pronzato.