While fashion’s top creative directors have been switching seats with quite a bit of frequency lately, so too have the industry’s key business executives. Here is a look at some of the recent executive-level swaps at key fashion brands, including (but not limited to) Céline, Coach, Proenza Schouler (pictured above), Hugo Boss, Amazon Fashion, and most recently, Ralph Lauren.
Alexander McQueen (5/3/16) – French luxury firm Kering Tuesday appointed Emmanuel Gintzburger as CEO of its fashion label Alexander McQueen as the firm further shuffles top executives following the departure of star designer Hedi Slimane from the group. Mr. Gintzburger previously worked under Mr. Slimane as world-wide and wholesale director at label Yves Saint Laurent. He will replace Jonathan Akeroyd on May 9.
Alexander Wang (5/4/16) – Rodrigo Bazan has stepped down as president at Alexander Wang to join Thom Browne as CEO. Bazan joined the Wang in December 2010 and oversaw the roll-out of 27 new stores.
Amazon Fashion (4/21/16) – Amazon just shut down MyHabit.com, its daily flash sale site that launched in 2011. But the CEO of MyHabit will remain at Amazon and build its newly expanding fashion team. Garth Mader, the CEO of MyHabit, has already moved on to Amazon Fashion as its general manager. He is in charge of hiring and building the fashion team.
Balenciaga (10/24/2016) – Kering has announced the appointment of Cédric Charbit as CEO of Balenciaga. Charbit will succeed Isabelle Guichot.
Burberry (6/10/16) – Burberry’s chief operations officer, John Smith, is stepping down, depriving joint-CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Christopher Bailey of a key ally. Smith is leaving to pursue new interests and will exit the board by summer next year. He had been in the COO role since March 2013, having previously served as a non-executive director.
Burberry (7/11/2016) – Marco Gobbetti is leaving Céline, where he has held the position of CEO for roughly eight years, to join as CEO; he will begin his tenure next year, once his LVMH-imposed non-compete agreement is complete. While Bailey is being stripped of his CEO title, he will continue in his role as chief creative and will also take on the title of President.
Carven (5/17/16) – Carven has a a new owner and a new chief executive officer. Bluebell Group, which recently took a majority stake in the company, has named one of their executives, Sophie de Rougemont, to the role of chief executive officer. A formal announcement regarding de Rougemont’s role is expected this week. Carven’s current CEO, Henri Sebaoun, will step down from his role. He will fill the position of managing director where he will report to de Rougemont.
Céline (2/24/2017) – Celine has confirmed the appointment of Séverine Merle as its new CEO, making her the third female CEO in the LVMH stable of brands. She replaces Marco Gobbetti, who left the house to take up the same position at Burberry.
Coach (4/6/2017) – Coach has confirmed the appointment for former Bergdorf Goodman president Joshua Schulman, who will join the brand on June 5 as president and CEO. Schulman will report to Victor Luis, CEO of Coach, Inc and will be responsible for all aspects of the brand globally.
Dunhill (1/31/2017) – Richemont-owned menswear brand hired Burberry executive Andrew Maag as its new CEO, following the departure of Fabrizio Cardinali. Maag joins Dunhill after a 10-year stint a Burberry where he held the positions of chief executive for Europe, Middle East, India, Africa and the Americas and senior vice president of menswear, amongst others.
Escada (4/27/16) – Escada has appointed Iris Epple-Righi as chief executive officer, effective September 1. Epple Righi joins from Calvin Klein, where she was president brand management for Calvin Klein Europe. She succeeds June McMahon who stepped down last July, citing personal reasons.
Furla (5/4/16) – Furla’s Eraldo Poletto is stepping down from his role as CEO of the luxury Italian brand. According to a press release issued by Furla, Poletto will be exiting the brand to pursue “new professional objectives.” Poletto will maintain his role as CEO until June 2016, and will join Salvatore Ferragamo in August.
Hugo Boss (5/16/16) – The German house has promoted its finance chief to lead a turnaround effort. Mark Langer will become both chief executive officer and chairman of the managing board, Metzingen, Germany-based Hugo Boss said in a statement Monday. He succeeds Claus-Dietrich Lahrs, who left earlier this year after a series of profit warnings and a plunge in the shares.
Proenza Schouler (6/14/16) – New York-based brand Proenza Schouler has appointed Selfridges’s director of womenswear and accessories, Judd Crane, as its new CEO. Crane, who worked for the London department store for four years, will succeed Ron Frasch in the role come September.
Rag & Bone (6/15/16) – Co-chief executive officer of Rag & Bone, David Neville, will step down from his day-to-day role at Rag & Bone, while remaining a “significant” shareholder and board member. Marcus Wainwright will become the company’s sole CEO.
Ralph Lauren (6/10/16) – Ralph Lauren has hired the chief financial officer of handbag maker Coach Inc. as part of a bid to reinvigorate the 49-year-old brand with fresh management. Jane Nielsen will join the fashion house as CFO in September.
Ralph Lauren (5/17/17) – Ralph Lauren Corp. hired Patrice Louvet as its next chief executive officer, tasking a Procter & Gamble Co. veteran with leading a difficult turnaround at the preppy apparel brand.Louvet will take the reins on July 17 and join the board, the company said on Wednesday. The CEO will report to the fashion house’s eponymous founder and executive chairman, suggesting that the 77-year-old Ralph Lauren will maintain a key role at the business.
Richemont (11/4/2016) – Luxury goods group Richemont will no longer have a chief executive and be run by a group of senior figures once Richard Lepeu retires in March, Chairman Johann Rupert announced.
Salvatore Ferragamo (5/13/16) – Italian leather goods brand Salvatore Ferragamo will bring Eraldo Poletto on board as CEO effective August 2. Ferragamo’s longtime CEO Michele Norsa will step down this summer.
Thom Browne (5/5/16) – Rodrigo Bazan, who stepped down as president at Alexander Wang, will join New York-based brand Thom Browne as CEO. Bazan was also elected to TBI’s Board of Directors in addition to his appointment as CEO.
Versace (5/23/16) – Gianni Versace S.p.A. announced today that Jonathan Akeroyd has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Akeroyd served as CEO of Alexander McQueen from 2004 until May 2016. He succeeds Gian Giacomo Ferraris, who joined Versace in 2009.
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