The Latest Appointments at Louis Vuitton, W Hotels, Maxime Simoens, Boucheron, Sowind Group, Debenhams, Azzaro and Sotheby’s
The Latest Appointments at Louis Vuitton, W Hotels, Maxime Simoens, Boucheron, Sowind Group, Debenhams, Azzaro and Sotheby’s.
It’s difficult to believe that John Galliano’s dramatic exit from Dior has remained a talking point in the fashion world for over six months. But as Fall Winter 2012 sashays down the New York runways, Marc Jacobs is the name in lights as LVMH narrows focus on filling the top job. Negotiations are said to have slowed, with the news that Jacobs and long time business partner, Robert Duffy, are seeking salaries in the low eight figures each, alongside several other benefits.
Tata Motors is also unexpectedly seeking new leadership, following the announcement that chief executive Carl-Peter Forster – credited with returning Jaguar Land Rover to profit – has resigned effective immediately, citing “unavoidable personal circumstances.” After serving less than two years at the helm, Forster’s successor will be responsible for battling current economic uncertainty and balancing out the group’s current dependency on sales in the U.S. and Europe.
After fifteen years of service at LVMH, Frédéric Dufour has been appointed managing director of the Maison Ruinart. Most recently he served as the international director of Veuve Clicquot and brand unit director for Moët & Chandon.
Source: Business Wire
Frédéric Dufour replaces Jean-Marc Gallot at Ruinart, who will re-join Louis Vuitton as executive vice president, commercial activities, in charge of the international division. Mr Gallot originally joined LVMH as managing director of Louis Vuitton North America in 2003.
Source: Fashion Snoop
Responding to the rapid expansion of the auction market for watches worldwide, Tim Bourne has been appointed as Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Watches department. Based in Hong Kong, Mr. Bourne will be responsible for overseeing Sotheby’s Asia watch auctions in addition to those in Geneva, New York and London.
Source: World Tempus
Marking the second global fashion director appointment at Starwood’s W Hotel brand, fashion entrepreneur Jenné Lombardo has been named to succeed Amanda Ross. Ms. Lombardo will be responsible for developing strategic initiatives and partnerships that showcase W’s innovative point of view on fashion.
Source: W Hotels
Jacques Emmanuel Falempin has been appointed CEO of Paris’s Maxime Simoens, following consultancy roles at several LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned brands and tenure as associate director of Agent de Luxe.
Source: WWD
PPR owned haute jeweller, Boucheron, has named Claire Choisne as director of creation effective immediately. Ms Choisne was most recently creative studio manager for jeweller Lorenz Bäumer, where she served for ten years.
Source: WWD
Michele Sofisti has been appointed as president of PPR’s Swiss haute Horlogerie group Sowind, which includes Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard brands. Mr Sofisti will continue to serve as chief executive officer Gucci Group Watches and Jewellery and Member of the Board of Directors of Gucci Timepieces Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Japan.
Source: Retail Jeweller
Most recently holding the positions of deputy chairman and vice president at Giorgio Armani Group, John Hooks has joined Ralph Lauren, succeeding Brian Duffy as group president in Europe. Mr Hooks served at Giorgio Armani for over eleven years, announcing his resignation in May 2011.
Source: WWD
After experience at Hermès and Lanvin, including over ten years working with Alber Elbaz, Mathilde Castello Branco has been appointed as creative director of Azzaro. The Azzaro brand’s main shareholder is the Reig Capital group.
Source: DFNI Online
Dividing his time between Sotheby’s Zurich and Geneva, Marc Michel-Amadry has been appointed as managing director of Sotheby’s Switzerland, reflecting the growing importance of Sotheby’s business in the region.
Source: Magazine de la Haute Horlogerie
Following a three-year service as deputy chief executive of Debenhams, Michael Sharp has been promoted to the role of chief executive, following the April retirement of Rob Templeman.
Source: The Appointment
For more in the series of The Latest Appointments, please see our most recent editions as follows:
– The Latest Appointments, Sofitel, Halston & Louis Vuitton
– The Latest Appointments, Belstaff, Trussardi & L’Oreal Luxury
– The Latest Appointments, Chloe, DeBeers & Boucheron
