Balmain
French luxury brand Balmain has announced the departure of Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, who held the position for over 14 years.
Rousteing took on the role in April 2011 at just 25 years old, becoming the youngest and the first Black creative director at a major French fashion house.
In an official statement, the brand said Rousteing had presented a series of widely acclaimed collections and runway shows over the years. “His vision and creative talent have elevated Balmain to unprecedented heights,” it noted.
Balmain has not yet named his successor, but stated that “a new creative structure for the brand will be announced in due course.”
Born in Bordeaux, France, Rousteing was adopted at the age of one. His mother worked in the eyewear business and his father was a port manager. He grew up in Bordeaux before moving to Paris to study at ESMOD (École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode), though he dropped out before completing his degree.
He began his career in 2003 at Italian luxury label Roberto Cavalli, eventually rising to become Creative Director of the women’s ready-to-wear line. In 2009, he joined Balmain and worked closely with then-Creative Director Christophe Decarnin.
In 2022, Rousteing signed with Creative Artists Agency to explore new commercial opportunities in entertainment and pop culture, complementing his role as Creative Director at Balmain.
Chanel
French luxury house Chanel has appointed Katie Welch as Head of Brand and Corporate Communications for the U.S., a newly created role that will take effect on January 5, 2026.
In her new position, Welch will support Chanel’s efforts to communicate and strengthen its brand narrative in the U.S. She will report directly to Stéphane Blanchard, President of Chanel U.S., with a dotted-line reporting relationship to Ruth Warder, Global Chief Communications Officer. She will also lead the integrated Brand Communications team within the restructured department.
Welch will join the U.S. Management Committee and oversee the brand communications leaders across several divisions, including Ellie Hawke (Watches & Fine Jewelry and Corporate Communications), Nancy Hawthorne (Fashion), and Nicole Sullivan (Fragrance & Beauty).
Previously, Welch served as Global Chief Marketing Officer at beauty brand Rare Beauty, where she oversaw brand, product, and consumer marketing, as well as creative, PR, influencer partnerships, strategic collaborations, and social impact. Prior to that, she was Global CMO at cosmetics brand Hourglass. Early in her career, she spent several years at PR agency Weber Shandwick.
Tory Burch
American fashion brand Tory Burch has appointed Joëlle Grunberg as President of North America.
Grunberg will succeed Christophe de Pous and will be based in New York, overseeing the brand’s retail, e-commerce, and wholesale operations across the region. She will report directly to CEO Pierre-Yves Roussel.
Most recently, Grunberg was a Partner at McKinsey & Company, where she led the firm’s North American Retail, Fashion & Luxury Practice.
She has held various senior leadership roles across the fashion and luxury sectors in both Europe and the U.S., including positions at Wolverine Worldwide, Lacoste, and Galeries Lafayette. She also serves on the Fashion & Luxury Advisory Council of the French-American Chamber of Commerce.
| Source: Official press releases, FashionNetwork
| Image Credit: Official brand channels, personal social media accounts
| Editor: LeZhi
