OTB/Maison Margiela
John Galliano, the Creative Director of the French luxury brand Maison Margiela, part of the Italian OTB Group, has officially confirmed his departure, with no successor announced yet.
In a heartfelt farewell post on his personal Instagram account (pictured below), Galliano expressed gratitude to OTB Group founder and chairman Renzo Rosso for giving him the opportunity.
Regarding his future plans, the 64-year-old designer said, “When the time is right, all will be revealed. For now, I want to express my endless gratitude. I have been atoning, and I will never stop dreaming. I also need to dream.”
Renzo Rosso praised Galliano, saying, “John made Maison Margiela one of the most cutting-edge haute couture houses in the world. A decade of incredibly intensive work, stunning shows and installations, and extraordinary, exquisite products have laid the foundation for the brand’s future.”
Galliano was appointed as head of Maison Margiela’s womenswear department in October 2014, becoming the first publicly named external Creative Director for the brand. (Maison Margiela’s founder, the renowned Belgian designer Martin Margiela, sold the brand to OTB Group in 2002 and stepped down in 2009 to focus on his art career.)
From 1997 to 2011, Galliano was the womenswear designer for the French luxury brand Christian Dior, earning global acclaim as a top fashion designer. However, he was dismissed in 2011 following antisemitic remarks. After three years of seclusion, he accepted Renzo Rosso’s offer and renewed his contract in 2019.
Galliano is renowned for his “pyramid approach to design,” which originates from Artisanal haute couture, merging ready-to-wear and accessories into a cohesive design language. His work for Maison Margiela is characterized by bold designs, deconstruction, freeform tailoring, and the innovative use of unique materials, including surrealistic patterns and experimental metals.
De Beers Jewellers
The British luxury jewelry brand De Beers Jewellers has announced the appointment of Henry Jun Liu as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and member of the Executive Committee.
In his new role, Liu will be based in the London headquarters, where he will lead the company’s global marketing strategy, focusing on driving growth plans and strengthening its market position.
Henry Jun Liu brings over 20 years of international marketing experience, including more than eight years in the luxury jewelry sector. He has previously worked for the American luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. in New York and held roles at McCann-Erickson, Procter & Gamble, and Estée Lauder. Liu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Shanghai International Studies University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Harvey Nichols
The British luxury department store Harvey Nichols has appointed Katie Benson as Chief Merchandising Officer.
Katie Benson joined the luxury e-commerce group YOOX NET-A-PORTER (YNAP) in 2017 as a Buying Manager for The Outnet, its discount e-commerce platform, later becoming Head of Buying. In 2022, she was promoted to Head of Ready-to-Wear Buying for Net-A-Porter and further advanced to Buying Director in early 2023.
Prior to YNAP, Benson served as the Global Senior Buyer for the British luxury brand Alexander McQueen and was a Designer Womenswear Buyer for the Australian high-end department store David Jones.
Nutrafol
Cindy Gustafson, currently the Chief Marketing Officer of Nutrafol, a hair wellness supplement brand under consumer goods giant Unilever, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2025.
In her new role, Gustafson will focus on expanding the brand’s influence and strengthening its core categories. She will succeed co-founder Giorgos Tsetis, who will become the brand’s Chairman of the Board and serve as an advisor.
Founded in 2016, Nutrafol is a pioneer in the field of hair wellness, offering a proprietary natural formulation to address various hair growth challenges caused by hormones, environment, genetics, and more. Unilever acquired a majority stake in Nutrafol in 2022.
In February of this year, Nutrafol expanded into skincare with the launch of a nutritional supplement targeting women aged 18 and older with mild to moderate acne.
| Sources: AP, Personal Social Media Accounts, Professional Jeweller, Official Press Releases, Cosmetic Business
| Image Credit: Brand Official Websites, Personal Social Media Accounts
| Editor: LeZhi
