Tag: Director

Anna Wintour has been appointed artistic director at Condé Nast

The Latest luxury industry appointments at Barneys, Daimler, Chanel, Tod’s, Condé Nast, Aquascutum, Raymond Weil, Walpole, Sofitel & Volvo

Richemont has announced the retirement of Ms Pilar Boxford, effective 1 April 2013. She will step down from the Group Management Committee at that time after serving the Swiss conglomerate since 1979. Following her retirement, she will continue as a consultant, supporting the Maisons on key public relations matters.

Henrik Fisker has resigned as executive chairman, citing “several major disagreements” with top management on business strategy, according to an email he apparently distributed to several major news organisations. According to Brand Channel, Fisker was integral to the design of the company’s cars as well as its name.

Shiseido Co. President Hisayuki Suekawa will step down for health reasons at the end of March 2013. Chairman Shinzo Maeda, who was president from 2005 to 2011, will take on the added role of president.

Mark Taylor, COO, Acquascutum

Aquascutum has hired former Juicy Couture finance director Mark Taylor as its chief operating officer for its UK business. Mr. Taylor took up the position in early March, replacing former Aquascutum boss Tim Dally, who stepped down due to ill health. He will report directly to Aquascutum International’s executive director and general manager, Andrew Chan.

Source: Fashion United

Jennifer Sunwoo, EVP, Barneys

Barneys New York has confirmed that Jennifer Sunwoo has been promoted to executive vice president and general merchandise manager for women’s, effective immediately. The former Bergdorf’s divisional merchandise manager of designer sportswear, joined Barneys in 2011 as the senior vice president of women’s designer fashion.

Source: WWD

Christine Dagousset Global President, Fragrance & Beauty, Chanel

Christine Dagousset, currently executive vice president of fragrance and beauté at Chanel Inc. in the U.S., has been appointed global president for the division. Ms. Dagousset began an 11-year tenure with L’Oréal as an intern in the household products division. In 1998 she was approached by Chanel to become senior vice president for global skincare, based in France.

Source: WWD

Victor Luis, CEO, Coach

Coach Inc. has named Victor Luis, head of the company’s international business, to succeed Chief Executive Officer Lew Frankfort next year. Frankfort, who was named CEO in 1995, will become executive chairman as of January 2014. Coach named Luis president and chief commercial officer in the interim and said he’ll also join the board.

Source: Bloomberg

Anna Wintour, Artistic Director, Condé Nast

Condé Nast has promoted Anna Wintour to the newly created role of artistic director, further to her duties as editor in chief of Vogue and editorial director of Teen Vogue. “The establishment of an Artistic Director is a reflection of our commitment to preserve and champion all that exists ‘Only at Condé Nast,’” Charles H. Townsend, the chief executive of Condé Nast.

Source: Fashionista

Dieter Zetsche, CEO, Daimler

Daimler has extended Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche’s term until the end of 2016. The automaker has also named manufacturing manager Wolfgang Bernhard as head of the Daimler Trucks division, switching roles with Andreas Renschler, who will oversee production and purchasing at Mercedes-Benz cars and vans.

Source: Bloomberg

David Chu, CEO, Georg Jensen

Georg Jensen has appointed David Chu – the original founder of Nautica – as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Chu previously served as Georg Jensen co-chair of the Board of Directors and chief creative officer. He will continue to serve as a board member as well as the chief creative officer, overseeing the design direction and strategy for all products.

Source: Retail Jeweller

Ann McLaughlin Korologos, Jean Tomlin, Board of Directors, Michael Kors

Michael Kors Holdings Limited has appointed Ann McLaughlin Korologos and Jean Tomlin to the Company’s Board of Directors. Ann McLaughlin Korologos is a former U.S. Secretary of Labor with extensive experience in the areas of international markets, marketing, regulatory and government affairs, policymaking and corporate governance.

Jean Tomlin has over 35 years experience in human resources, employee relations, training and development. Since 2006, Ms. Tomlin has served as Director, Human Resources of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Source: BusinessWire

Stuart Sklar, VP, Raymond Weil North America

Raymond Weil has appointed Stuart Sklar as vice president of North America. Sklar previously held the positions of vice president of national sales at Bulova, senior vice president at Movado Group, and president at Maurice Lacroix.

Source: JCK Online

François Tauriac, Managing Director, Richard Mille

Richard Mille has appointed François Tauriac as managing director. Mr. Tauriac has spent his entire career at the Figaro Group as a journalist, starting out in the politics department of the group’s French daily newspaper. He has also developed a number of innovative online and digital applications, including the first magazine television channel on YouTube: “Very Watch”.

Source: FHH

Sirinate Meenakul, Global Brand Director, Sofitel So

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has appointed Sirinate Meenakul as its first Global Brand Director for the Sofitel So label, the ‘boutique hotel’ vision of Sofitel. Mr. Meenakul has served almost two decades in the hospitality sector, and will spearhead and strategise the overall brand positioning of Sofitel So.

Source: eTravel Blackboard

Alessandra Facchinetti, Creative Director, Tod’s

Tod’s has hired former Gucci and Valentino designer Alessandra Facchinetti as creative director, where she will oversee the company’s womenswear line. Her first collection will be presented during the Milan fashion week in September 2013. Facchinetti, who debuted as designer of Prada’s edgy brand MiuMiu in 1994, made her name as creative head at Gucci, Moncler and Valentino.

Source: Reuters

Robin Page, Interior Design, Volvo

Volvo has hired the man responsible for designing the interiors of the Bentley Continental and Mulsanne. Bentley’s head of interior design, Robin Page, has confirmed he’s joining Volvo to head up the interior design department at the Swedish automaker.

Source: Motor Authority

Sue O’Brien, Board of Directors, Walpole

Sue O’Brien has been appointed to the Walpole board of directors, the luxury brands trade body that represents British brands. In addition to her new role, O’Brien has been the group chief executive of Norman Broadbent since 2008, and she created the Human Capital Consulting Group which helps deliver and assess innovative leaders of the future.

Source: Fashion United

For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Appointments: Bulgari, Burberry & Four Seasons
- The Latest Appointments: Harrods, Balenciaga & Louis Vuitton
- The Latest Appointments: Christie’s, Richemont & Ferrari

Alexander Wang has been appointed creative director of Balenciaga, following the departure of Nicolas Ghesquire

New leadership for a new year, we bring you the latest luxury industry appointments at LVMH, Fisker Automotive, Alexander Wang, Este Lauder & Bloomberg Pursuits

Brigitte Taittinger has left her post as president of Annick Goutal, following 20 years at the helm. The move comes just eighteen months after Korean group, Amore Pacific, joined forced with US Starwood Capital to acquire the perfume house. A statement indicated that her decision had been made in agreement with shareholders.

Over at BMW, Christoph Stark will retire as China head in February after overseeing BMW sales jump about 15-fold over eight years in the country. Karsten Engel, currently the senior vice president of BMW Group Germany, will take over the China portfolio from March 1 according to Bloomberg.

Nicolas Abboud, chief executive officer of de Grisogono, has suddenly left his post citing family reasons, after only about six months on the job. The company said Abboud’s departure was unrelated to his strategy for the company and not a decision by the board. Abboud is said to be looking for another job in Paris.

Finally, management changes are afoot at Escada following the departure of Denise Shepard – managing director UK – and her French counterpart Nathalie Banessy. Jacob Bjerregaard, VP of sales and trade marketing, will now oversee development in German, Austrian, English, French and Italian markets.

Tanja Ruhnke, VP Communications, Alexander Wang

Tanja Ruhnke has joined Alexander Wang as vice president of global branding and communications, taking over responsibilities from Leslie Rubisch, who recently transitioned into consulting. Ms. Ruhnke most recently served as head of communications at Rag & Bone.

Source: WWD

Alexander Wang, Creative Director, Balenciaga

PPR have announced the appointment of Alexander Wang to the post of Creative Director of the Balenciaga fashion house. Wang now has responsibility for designing the brand’s women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections, as well as for Balenciaga’s image.

Source: PPR

Ted Moncreiff, Editor, Bloomberg Pursuits

Ted Moncreiff has been appointed as the editor of Pursuits, the luxury magazine for Bloomberg terminal customers. Mr. Moncreiff most recently served at Cond Nast Ideactive, the ad agency-like outfit within the company’s corporate ad sales division.

Source: WWD

Marc Rey, President US, Coty Prestige

Coty Inc. has confirmed the appointment of Marc Rey as president, Coty Prestige U.S., and regional vice president, Coty Prestige, North America, effective Jan. 2, 2013. Rey replaces Bob Cankes, who will retire in the second half of this fiscal year, after 14 years with Coty and a decorated career within the beauty industry.

Source: Coty

Daniel Wingate, Fashion Director, Escada

German fashion house Escada has announced the promotion of Daniel Wingate, current design director of the Escada mainline collection, to fashion director. Mr. Wingate will be responsible for the direction of the fashion house’s Escada and Escada Sport lines.

Source: FashionUnited

Thia Breene, Lynne Green, Presidents, Este Lauder

Este Lauder has expanded its number of Group Presidents, from two to four, adding two new senior positions to top management. Thia Breen has been named to the new position of Group President North America, and will oversee both the U.S. and Canadian affiliates.

Lynne Greene has been named to the new position of Group President, continuing to oversee the Clinique, Origins and Ojon global brands, with the addition of the Aveda and Darphin brands.

Source: Este Lauder Companies

Joel Ewanick, Chief of Global Sales, Fisker

Fisker Automotive has hired Joel Ewanick, the former head of marketing at General Motors, as its interim chief of global sales and marketing. Fisker also confirmed that Richard Beattie, who had been the company’s chief commercial officer, was retiring.

Source: NYTimes

Michelle Peluso, Board, Gilt Groupe

Online luxury retailer Gilt Groupe has added Michelle Peluso to its board of directors. Ms. Peluso spent the previous six years as president and CEO of Travelocity and Executive Vice President of Sabre Holding Corp. Prior, she served as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.

Source: PRNewswire

Sarah Brown, Director, Harrods

Qatar Holding has announced that Sarah Brown, the wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has been appointed as a non-executive director of Harrods. A spokesperson for Qatar Holding revealed that Brown would provide “input and insight into the company’s strategic initiatives and overall business”.

Source: Fashion United

Neeraj Khemlani , SVP, Hearst Corp

In a new role for Hearst Corp, Neeraj Khemlani has been tapped as senior vice president and chief creative officer. Mr. Khemlani will work with Hearst’s creative teams, managers and group heads across digital and print platforms, after serving since 2009 as special assistant to the CEO of digital media.

Source: WWD

Gerd von Podewils, SVP, Hugo Boss

Gerd von Podewils has been named senior vice president, global communications at Hugo Boss, effective Jan. 1. Podewils succeeds 12-year Boss veteran Philipp Wolff, who is leaving the German fashion company at the end of the year to pursue “new business interests.”

Source: WWD

Pietro Borsotti, Commercial Director, Leonard

French fashion house Leonard said it has appointed Pietro Borsotti as commercial director, in charge of the distribution network and development of both the main collection and the secondary line. Mr. Borsotti was previously managing director of the French divisions of Trussardi and Valentino Fashion Group.

Source: FashionSnoops360

Michael Burke, CEO, Louis Vuitton

Michael Burke will re-join Louis Vuitton as CEO, following the news that Jordi Constans is stepping down “due to the discovery of a significant health issue.” Mr. Burke most recently served as the head of Bulgari, but also ran Vuitton’s North American business from 1993 to 1997.

Source: Bloomberg

Pauline Brown, Chairman, LVMH US

LVMH has tapped Pauline Brown as chairman of its North American arm, LVMH Inc, after working as an independent investor and adviser to emerging luxury brands for the past two years. Prior, Ms. Brown served as a managing director at The Carlyle Group, working on the private equity firm’s global consumer and retail team.

Source: WWD

Ivana Omazic, Senior Creative, Maison Martin Margiela

Former Celine designer Ivana Omazic recently joined notoriously press-shy Maison Martin Margiela in a ‘senior creative capacity’. After working with brands such as Prada Sport, Jil Sander and Miu Miu, this is the first time Omazic has had such a high-profile role at a house, since Celine.

Source: Fashionista

Ron Offir, SVP eCommerce, Michael Kors

Ron Offir has joined Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. as senior vice president of its e-commerce division. Mr. Offir will be responsible for leading the company’s new global e-commerce strategy, following tenure as president of e-commerce and retail at The Jones Group.

Source: WWD

Kate Lanphear, Style Director, T Magazine

Ex-Elle style director Kate Lanphear has joined T: The New York Times Style Magazine as style director and will report on the upcoming shows for the U.S. glossy. Ms. Lanphear was named Style Director at Elle in 2008, and was at the magazine for a number of year’s prior.

Source: Fashionista

For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Appointments: Christie’s, Richemont & Ferrari
- The Latest Appointments: PPR, Cadillac & Baccarat
- The Latest Appointments: Mulberry, DVF & Ralph Lauren