LVMH
The French luxury conglomerate LVMH has announced significant executive changes within its watch division:
- Current TAG Heuer CEO Julien Tornare will be appointed CEO of Hublot.
- Current Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe will step down from operational roles and become Honorary Chairman.
- Current General Manager of Bulgari Horlogerie, Antoine Pin, will take over as CEO of TAG Heuer.
Julien Tornare, Antoine Pin, Ricardo Guadalupe
These changes will take effect on September 1st.
Julien Tornare has 26 years of experience in the watch industry, having worked at the Swiss watch brand Raymond Weil for two years before joining Richemont Group’s Vacheron Constantin for 17 years. In 2017, he became the CEO of LVMH’s Zenith and took over as CEO of TAG Heuer in January this year, succeeding Frédéric Arnault.
Antoine Pin began his career at TAG Heuer in 1994, initially as a junior sales manager for the DFS duty-free channel and the Middle East market, later becoming a product manager. Since 2002, he has served as Zenith’s International Marketing Director. He has held various management positions across multiple brands and markets within the group, including LVMH’s watch and jewelry division in the UK, TAG Heuer in Japan and Korea, Bulgari in Greater China and Australia, and as Executive Vice President of Berluti.
Dior
LVMH’s French haute couture brand Dior has announced the appointment of British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton as the brand ambassador for its men’s line and guest designer for a new lifestyle capsule collection launching in October.
Lewis Hamilton will collaborate with Dior designer Kim Jones on a capsule collection centered around skiing and snowboarding, reflecting “another side of his sports and personal life” while advocating for African culture and sustainable design.
Kim Jones stated, “We share a love for nature and a desire to celebrate Africa, and we’re interested in the artisanal processes and techniques that combine African craftsmanship with Dior’s expertise. Additionally, this collection embodies Lewis Hamilton’s athletic talent, his finesse, and our practicality. Overall, every aspect of this collaboration was natural and enjoyable.”
Lewis Hamilton from the F1 website
Lewis Hamilton expressed his commitment to making conscious choices and pushing boundaries in every piece, drawing inspiration from his African roots—emphasizing natural materials, vibrant colors, and powerful energy.
The capsule collection will be available from October 17th at Dior boutiques and dior.com, featuring a blend of streetwear, outdoor apparel, and casual suits, including traditional Dior tweeds and new African woven fabrics. Some items will be made from organic or recycled textiles, such as loose-fitting jeans, knitwear, sweatshirts, and sweaters, along with high-tech clothing produced by Dior’s long-term partner, Japanese ski apparel manufacturer Descente. The collection also includes Dior-branded snowboards, wraparound ski goggles, and specially developed multi-layer microfiber snow boots designed for both casual and everyday functionality.
Kering
On July 15, French luxury group Kering announced the promotion of General Counsel Ewa Abrams to President of the Americas, replacing Laurent Claquin. This appointment will be effective August 1st. Laurent Claquin began his new role as the Group’s Chief Brand Officer on July 1st.
Ewa Abrams
Ewa Abrams graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and earned a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. She worked at Tiffany & Co. for over 17 years, rising to Vice President and Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer. She joined Kering’s Americas division in 2018 as General Counsel. She is also a board member of the Kering Americas Foundation and co-chair of the internal project Women In Luxury Americas. Since 2016, she has been an adjunct professor at Fordham University Law School.
Kering stated that Ewa Abrams’ experience and understanding of the luxury industry will support the group’s strategy and development in the Americas.
Ralph Lauren
Recently, American apparel and lifestyle brand Ralph Lauren announced two executive changes:
- Patrick Chopin has been promoted to Managing Director for the UK and Ireland.
- Christopher Conrad will replace Janet Sherlock, who has led Ralph Lauren’s technology affairs since 2017, as the brand’s next Chief Digital and Technology Officer.
Patrick Chopin has long served as an executive at Ralph Lauren, rising from Senior Planning Director in 2008 to Senior Vice President of Multi-Channel Marketing and Operations International in May 2019. Before joining Ralph Lauren, he held various positions at the European company of American sports retailer Foot Locker, including Director of Footwear and Apparel.
Before joining Ralph Lauren, Christopher Conrad worked at American denim brand Levi Strauss & Co for seven years, most recently as Global Chief Information Officer. He expressed, “With Ralph Lauren’s excellent digital and technology team, we are ready to innovate and grow. Our mission is to push the company to new heights while maintaining our tradition of excellence.” Under his predecessor Janet Sherlock’s leadership, the company improved and expanded its digital business and increased the organization’s use of artificial intelligence and generative AI across various business functions.
In May, Ralph Lauren reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.57 billion, slightly above the expected $1.56 billion, thanks to strong demand in Europe and Asia and reduced discounts due to decreased inventory. The company also predicted that although quarterly results exceeded expectations, annual revenue growth might fall short of market expectations due to weak demand in the US. At the time, the company announced the promotion of Justin Picicci to Chief Financial Officer, replacing Jane Nielsen, who will continue as Chief Operating Officer. Picicci recently served as Chief Corporate Finance Officer.
| Sources: Brand/Group official websites, FashionNetwork, Watchpro
| Image Credit: Brand/Group official websites, executives’ LinkedIn profiles
| Editor: Jiang Jingjin
