LEADERS

The Latest Luxury Executive Appointments

by

Sophie Doran

|

This is the featured image caption
Credit: This is the featured image credit

As we discovered in The Talent Agenda, luxury brand executives are industry faithful but company promiscuous, LS presents a round up of who’s moving where in the industry

Over the last decade, collaborations between luxury brands and contemporary artists have gone beyond mere artistic partnerships towards a new kind of luxury branding.

PARIS – Art and fashion have always developed side by side, for fashion, like art, often gives visual expression to the cultural zeitgeist. During the 1920s, Salvador Dalí created dresses for Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiapparelli. In the 1930s, Ferragamo’s shoes commissioned designs for advertisements from Futurist painter Lucio Venna, while Gianni Versace commissioned works from artists such as Alighiero Boetti and Roy Lichtenstein for the launch of his collections. Yves Saint Laurent’s vast art collection, recently auctioned at Christie’s in Paris, testified to his great love of art and revealed the influence of a variety of artists on his own designs.

In the 1980s, relationships between luxury brands and artists were advanced when Alain Dominique Perrin created the Fondation Cartier. In the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, a book marking the foundation’s 20th anniversary, Perrin says he makes “a connection between all the different sorts of arts, and luxury goods are a kind of art. Luxury goods are handicrafts of art, applied art.”

The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemparain building in Paris

As we discovered in The Talent Agenda, luxury brand executives are industry faithful but company promiscuous, LS presents a round up of who’s moving where in the industry

As we discovered in The Talent Agenda, luxury brand executives are industry faithful but company promiscuous, LS presents a round up of who’s moving where in the industry.

Whilst rumours circulate about the potential exit of Sephora’s president and CEO, Jacques Levy, there has been a slew of official personnel changes this week, from some of luxury’s biggest brands. Alexander Wang has a new president, Burberry created a new Communications role to oversee Europe, Bentley and Bugatti are under the leadership of the man responsible for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and Net-a-Porter US has a new editor.

Rodrigo Bazan, president, Alexander Wang

Former vice president and general manager of Marc Jacobs International LLC, formerly responsible for the brand in Europe, the Middle East and India, Rodrigo Bazan is set to become Alexander Wang’s first president since it launched in 2005. Prior to his appointment at Marc Jacobs, Bazan was chief financial officer and eventually, general manager for Alexander McQueen at Gucci Group. The cult New York designer commented, “At this point, we have reached a level of growth that now requires a certain leadership to guide us through this next phase, Rodrigo brings a new perspective in the market with his strong business and finance background coupled with a cunning creative side.”

Source: Fashion Mag

Wolfgang Dürheimer, CEO, Bentley & Bugatti

Former Porche VP of research and development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, has been appointed by the Volkswagen Group to the positions of chairman and CEO of Bentley and present and CEO of Bugatti. The former Porsche executive was responsible for the development Veyron 16.4 supercar and prior to his research and development role, managed the 911 line for the company. Martin Winterkorn, chief executive of Volkswagen, remarked “Wolfgang Dürheimer personifies the outstanding technical competency of Porsche. He will bring this expertise and his experience to Bentley and Bugatti, helping them maintain their leading positions within the luxury segment.”

Source: NY Times

Jim Clerkin, CEO, Moët Hennessy USA

Wines and Spirits industry veteran, Jim Clerkin, has been tapped to head Moët Hennessy in the United States, responsible for luxury brands such as Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy and Glenmorangie. The new appointment comes after a two year stint as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company, following roles with the Guinness Group, notably serving as managing director of Gilbeys of Ireland for five years, as president of Diageo North America’s Western Division and as president of Allied Domecq North America.

Source: Business Wire

Paul O’Regan, director marketing & communications – Europe, Burberry

Formerly executive vice president of global communications at Oscar de la Renta, New York, Paul O’Regan has been appointed to Burberry as director of marketing and communications for Europe. A newly developed role for the company, O’Regan will be responsible for all marketing and public relations initiatives for Burberry in Europe and directing the European regional marketing team, who work closely with Burberry’s corporate marketing team.

Source: WWD

Tracy Taylor, US editor, Net-a-Porter

Former Marie Claire fashion director, Tracy Taylor, has been appointed by Net-a-Porter US as their first dedicated American editor, whilst Taylor had recently been freelancing, she had previously worked for WWD, Details, W and DNR. London based editor Claudia Plant, commented: “With the U.S. now being our most rapidly growing market, we felt it was the right time to appoint a dedicated U.S. editor who will be responsible for creating content, contributing ideas and spotting trends that our readers around the world will find exciting but that take the local zeitgeist into consideration.”

Source: WWD

Gaetano Sallorenzo, CEO, Stuart Weitzman

New York shoe specialist Stuart Weitzman welcomes Gaetano Sallorenzo, formerly the CEO of Italian denim company Replay Group, as the brand’s CEO: “We are pleased that Gaetano is joining us in this important phase of development, I am certain that his international experience with leading brands will help Stuart Weitzman capitalize on new opportunities and develop a truly enhanced global presence, stated the designer. Prior to Replay, Sallorenzo served as CEO of CK and Calvin Klein Jeans and Sportswear for Europe and North Asia and president of Giorgio Armani for North America.

Source: Fashion Mag

Charlotte Blechman, SVP marketing & communications, Barneys

Former Gucci CEO Mark Lee, now CEO of Barneys New York, has appointed a second ex-Gucci executive to a senior role within Barneys. Late November marked the announcement that former Gucci North America president, Daniella Vitale, was to be appointed as chief merchant and executive vice president, early December marks the announcement that former Gucci vice president of public relations, Charlotte Blechman, will join Barneys as senior vice president of marketing and communications. Blechman had been with the Gucci Group since 1995, before leaving Gucci last December to serve as an industry consultant.

Source: WWD

Francesco Pesci, CEO, Brioni

Previously the commercial director of Brioni, Francesco Pesci has been named as the company’s new CEO. General Manager Antonio Bianchini had been handling the day-to-day running of the brand since Andrea Perrone, the grandson of Brioni co-founder Gaetano Savini, resigned as CEO in July. Pesci has been with Brioni since 1994 and remarked "I am honoured to be taking up the reins at Brioni, a company in which I have literally worked my way up from the bottom. I would like to thank the company for the trust they have placed in me and to confirm to the Group and its employees my determination to strengthen a global luxury brand that is the pride of Italian menswear.”

Source: Business Week

For any news or appointments that you would like to be considered for publication, please contact [email protected]

Sophie Doran
Sophie Doran

Creative Strategist, Digital

Sophie Doran is currently Senior Creative Strategist, Digital at Karla Otto. Prior to this role, she was the Paris-based editor-in-chief of Luxury Society. Prior to joining Luxury Society, Sophie completed her MBA in Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on luxury brand dynamics and leadership, whilst simultaneously working in management roles for several luxury retailers.

LEADERS

The Latest Luxury Executive Appointments

by

Sophie Doran

|

This is the featured image caption
Credit : This is the featured image credit

As we discovered in The Talent Agenda, luxury brand executives are industry faithful but company promiscuous, LS presents a round up of who’s moving where in the industry

Over the last decade, collaborations between luxury brands and contemporary artists have gone beyond mere artistic partnerships towards a new kind of luxury branding.

PARIS – Art and fashion have always developed side by side, for fashion, like art, often gives visual expression to the cultural zeitgeist. During the 1920s, Salvador Dalí created dresses for Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiapparelli. In the 1930s, Ferragamo’s shoes commissioned designs for advertisements from Futurist painter Lucio Venna, while Gianni Versace commissioned works from artists such as Alighiero Boetti and Roy Lichtenstein for the launch of his collections. Yves Saint Laurent’s vast art collection, recently auctioned at Christie’s in Paris, testified to his great love of art and revealed the influence of a variety of artists on his own designs.

In the 1980s, relationships between luxury brands and artists were advanced when Alain Dominique Perrin created the Fondation Cartier. In the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, a book marking the foundation’s 20th anniversary, Perrin says he makes “a connection between all the different sorts of arts, and luxury goods are a kind of art. Luxury goods are handicrafts of art, applied art.”

The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemparain building in Paris

As we discovered in The Talent Agenda, luxury brand executives are industry faithful but company promiscuous, LS presents a round up of who’s moving where in the industry

As we discovered in The Talent Agenda, luxury brand executives are industry faithful but company promiscuous, LS presents a round up of who’s moving where in the industry.

Whilst rumours circulate about the potential exit of Sephora’s president and CEO, Jacques Levy, there has been a slew of official personnel changes this week, from some of luxury’s biggest brands. Alexander Wang has a new president, Burberry created a new Communications role to oversee Europe, Bentley and Bugatti are under the leadership of the man responsible for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and Net-a-Porter US has a new editor.

Rodrigo Bazan, president, Alexander Wang

Former vice president and general manager of Marc Jacobs International LLC, formerly responsible for the brand in Europe, the Middle East and India, Rodrigo Bazan is set to become Alexander Wang’s first president since it launched in 2005. Prior to his appointment at Marc Jacobs, Bazan was chief financial officer and eventually, general manager for Alexander McQueen at Gucci Group. The cult New York designer commented, “At this point, we have reached a level of growth that now requires a certain leadership to guide us through this next phase, Rodrigo brings a new perspective in the market with his strong business and finance background coupled with a cunning creative side.”

Source: Fashion Mag

Wolfgang Dürheimer, CEO, Bentley & Bugatti

Former Porche VP of research and development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, has been appointed by the Volkswagen Group to the positions of chairman and CEO of Bentley and present and CEO of Bugatti. The former Porsche executive was responsible for the development Veyron 16.4 supercar and prior to his research and development role, managed the 911 line for the company. Martin Winterkorn, chief executive of Volkswagen, remarked “Wolfgang Dürheimer personifies the outstanding technical competency of Porsche. He will bring this expertise and his experience to Bentley and Bugatti, helping them maintain their leading positions within the luxury segment.”

Source: NY Times

Jim Clerkin, CEO, Moët Hennessy USA

Wines and Spirits industry veteran, Jim Clerkin, has been tapped to head Moët Hennessy in the United States, responsible for luxury brands such as Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy and Glenmorangie. The new appointment comes after a two year stint as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company, following roles with the Guinness Group, notably serving as managing director of Gilbeys of Ireland for five years, as president of Diageo North America’s Western Division and as president of Allied Domecq North America.

Source: Business Wire

Paul O’Regan, director marketing & communications – Europe, Burberry

Formerly executive vice president of global communications at Oscar de la Renta, New York, Paul O’Regan has been appointed to Burberry as director of marketing and communications for Europe. A newly developed role for the company, O’Regan will be responsible for all marketing and public relations initiatives for Burberry in Europe and directing the European regional marketing team, who work closely with Burberry’s corporate marketing team.

Source: WWD

Tracy Taylor, US editor, Net-a-Porter

Former Marie Claire fashion director, Tracy Taylor, has been appointed by Net-a-Porter US as their first dedicated American editor, whilst Taylor had recently been freelancing, she had previously worked for WWD, Details, W and DNR. London based editor Claudia Plant, commented: “With the U.S. now being our most rapidly growing market, we felt it was the right time to appoint a dedicated U.S. editor who will be responsible for creating content, contributing ideas and spotting trends that our readers around the world will find exciting but that take the local zeitgeist into consideration.”

Source: WWD

Gaetano Sallorenzo, CEO, Stuart Weitzman

New York shoe specialist Stuart Weitzman welcomes Gaetano Sallorenzo, formerly the CEO of Italian denim company Replay Group, as the brand’s CEO: “We are pleased that Gaetano is joining us in this important phase of development, I am certain that his international experience with leading brands will help Stuart Weitzman capitalize on new opportunities and develop a truly enhanced global presence, stated the designer. Prior to Replay, Sallorenzo served as CEO of CK and Calvin Klein Jeans and Sportswear for Europe and North Asia and president of Giorgio Armani for North America.

Source: Fashion Mag

Charlotte Blechman, SVP marketing & communications, Barneys

Former Gucci CEO Mark Lee, now CEO of Barneys New York, has appointed a second ex-Gucci executive to a senior role within Barneys. Late November marked the announcement that former Gucci North America president, Daniella Vitale, was to be appointed as chief merchant and executive vice president, early December marks the announcement that former Gucci vice president of public relations, Charlotte Blechman, will join Barneys as senior vice president of marketing and communications. Blechman had been with the Gucci Group since 1995, before leaving Gucci last December to serve as an industry consultant.

Source: WWD

Francesco Pesci, CEO, Brioni

Previously the commercial director of Brioni, Francesco Pesci has been named as the company’s new CEO. General Manager Antonio Bianchini had been handling the day-to-day running of the brand since Andrea Perrone, the grandson of Brioni co-founder Gaetano Savini, resigned as CEO in July. Pesci has been with Brioni since 1994 and remarked "I am honoured to be taking up the reins at Brioni, a company in which I have literally worked my way up from the bottom. I would like to thank the company for the trust they have placed in me and to confirm to the Group and its employees my determination to strengthen a global luxury brand that is the pride of Italian menswear.”

Source: Business Week

For any news or appointments that you would like to be considered for publication, please contact [email protected]

Sophie Doran
Sophie Doran

Creative Strategist, Digital

Sophie Doran is currently Senior Creative Strategist, Digital at Karla Otto. Prior to this role, she was the Paris-based editor-in-chief of Luxury Society. Prior to joining Luxury Society, Sophie completed her MBA in Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on luxury brand dynamics and leadership, whilst simultaneously working in management roles for several luxury retailers.

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