Gucci / Kering Group
On September 17, French luxury conglomerate Kering announced the appointment of Francesca Bellettini as President and Chief Executive Officer of Gucci.
In her new role, Francesca Bellettini will report directly to Kering’s CEO, Luca de Meo.
At the same time, her current role as Kering Deputy CEO will be eliminated. Jean-Marc Duplaix, the other Deputy CEO, will continue serving as Kering’s Chief Operating Officer, supporting Luca de Meo in corporate development and organizational management.
Luca de Meo stated, “At this critical juncture, I intend to build a leaner, clearer organization that enables top talent to drive our mission forward. As the Group’s flagship brand, Gucci deserves the sharpest focus, and Francesca is one of the most experienced and respected professionals in the industry. She brings the necessary leadership and flawless execution to restore the brand to its rightful standing.”
Francesca Bellettini commented, “It is a great honor to take direct responsibility for Gucci, and I look forward to working under the leadership of Luca de Meo, whose innovation and fresh perspective inspire us to constantly push boundaries. I’m excited to take on new challenges alongside the entire Gucci team and [new Creative Director] Demna.”
Francesca Bellettini joined Kering in 2003, spending the first five years with Gucci in various roles, including Assistant to the Chairman/Managing Director, Director of Strategic Planning, and Deputy Global Marketing Director.
From 2008 to 2013, she served as Global Marketing Director and Global Marketing Communications Director at Bottega Veneta. In September 2013, she became President and CEO of Saint Laurent, holding the role until July 2023, when she was promoted to Deputy CEO of the Group with responsibility for brand development.
Prior to joining Kering, Francesca Bellettini worked at Italian luxury group Prada for three years. She holds a degree in Economics and Business Management from Bocconi University in Milan. Early in her career, she worked at several major banks and investment firms before entering the luxury sector.
Ahead of this leadership shift, Kering also announced the creation of a new role: Global Head of Talent Development and Employee Engagement, to be held by Thomas Cuntz. He is the first senior executive appointed under Luca de Meo’s leadership.
In his new role, Thomas Cuntz will lead “the key human resources functions at the core of Kering’s talent strategy,” with responsibilities including talent acquisition and management, internal mobility, performance, learning and development, inclusion and diversity, employee engagement through listening, and employee relations. He will report to Kering’s Chief People Officer, Béatrice Lazat.
Thomas Cuntz is a human resources expert who served for the past nine years as Vice President of Executive and Global Talent Management at Renault Group, where he previously worked under Luca de Meo.
A graduate of EDHEC Business School in Paris, Thomas Cuntz began his career at French bank Société Générale as Head of Retail Banking Recruitment. He later spent 24 years at Renault in a variety of corporate and HR roles.
Christian Louboutin
French luxury footwear brand Christian Louboutin has announced the appointment of actor and singer Jaden Smith as its first-ever Creative Director of the Men’s Collection.
Based in Paris, Jaden Smith will unveil his first collection during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2026. His role includes designing four collections per year, covering footwear, leather goods, and accessories, while also developing advertising campaigns, events, and immersive experiences.
Christian Louboutin himself stated that Jaden Smith was the sole candidate considered for the position. He hopes to leverage Smith’s celebrity status and nearly 20 million social media followers to reinvigorate and strengthen the brand’s men’s business, which currently accounts for 24% of the company’s revenue. Meanwhile, the appointment will allow Louboutin to focus more intensively on the women’s division to drive further growth.
Born in 1998, Jaden Smith is the son of renowned American actor Will Smith.
｜Source: Official Press Release, Fashion Network, Les Échos
｜Image Credit: Official Press Release, Personal Social Media Accounts
｜Editor: LeZhi
