GUCCI
The Italian luxury brand GUCCI, under France’s Kering Group, has appointed Valérie Leberichel as Senior Vice President of Global Communications, effective at the end of December.
In her new role, Valérie Leberichel will be responsible for developing marketing and communications strategies to enhance GUCCI’s brand image and visibility, reporting directly to the new CEO, Stefano Cantino.
With 27 years of experience in marketing and communications, Leberichel has served as the Global Communications Vice President at Givenchy, under LVMH, since April 2022. Her career began with the PR team at Jean Louis Scherrer, followed by a role as Communications Director for Issey Miyake Europe. In 2002, she joined Celine, another LVMH brand, as Communications Manager. Later, in 2013, she took on the role of Global Communications and External Relations Director for Miu Miu under the Prada Group, eventually overseeing both Miu Miu’s global communications and Prada’s French market communications. She rejoined LVMH and Givenchy in 2018.
Leberichel’s team is also welcoming new members:
- Marcello Mastrogiacomo, appointed VP of Digital Marketing and Media
- Daniela Raganato, appointed Head of Global Media
Together with the previously appointed Global Communications Director Davide Buzzoni, they form the new leadership team for GUCCI’s communications department.
Marcello Mastrogiacomo brings 17 years of industry experience, most recently as SVP of Communications, Media, and Image for Armani Beauty under L’Oréal Group, and has held senior roles at Dior Parfums, Procter & Gamble Prestige France, Coty’s luxury fragrance division, and GUCCI Beauty.
Daniela Raganato began her career with BMW Italy and later worked at Bitmama and Lbi, before joining Valentino from 2012 to 2024, where her latest role was Media and Integrated Marketing Director.
Additionally, GUCCI’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Luca Bozzo, is reportedly set to depart.
These appointments mark the gradual formation of GUCCI’s new leadership structure under Stefano Cantino. Though Cantino officially assumes his role on January 1, 2025, he has already begun assembling key team members to streamline operations and strengthen decision-making processes, paving the way for GUCCI’s return to growth.
Elie Saab
Lebanese couture brand Elie Saab has appointed Marina Raphael as Artistic and Design Director for its handbag division.
Marina Raphael is notably a sixth-generation member of the Swarovski family, the Austrian crystal manufacturer. She founded her own luxury handbag brand, Marina Raphael, in 2017 and will continue as its Creative Director while taking on her new role at Elie Saab.
In this position, Raphael will design six handbag collections annually for Elie Saab, including four ready-to-wear and two couture collections. Her first collection will debut at the Haute Couture Week in January, collaborating closely with Elie Saab himself.
Marina Raphael will continue to be based in Athens, Greece, and will regularly travel to Paris for brand meetings, key events, and Paris Fashion Week.
Alberta Ferretti
The Italian luxury group Aeffe Group has appointed Alexandra Lamprecht as General Manager for its Alberta Ferretti brand, effective immediately.
In her new role, Alexandra Lamprecht will collaborate with Creative Director Lorenzo Serafini, focusing on expanding the brand’s international market presence. She will report to Aeffe President Massimo Ferretti.
Lamprecht brings over 25 years of luxury industry experience, most recently with the Italian high-end knitwear brand Lorena Antoniazzi. She spent 12 years with Salvatore Ferragamo and held executive positions with Valentino, Etro, and other companies including Swarovski and Staff International.
ic! berlin
Italian eyewear group Marcolin has appointed Davide Lunghi as General Manager of its ic! berlin brand, effective immediately.
In his new position, Davide Lunghi will oversee the management and strategic development of all business divisions, with a particular focus on strengthening ic! berlin’s position as a premium design brand.
With extensive experience in luxury and high-end brands, Lunghi has held roles in comprehensive management, commercial operations, business development, and financial planning. He is an alumnus of Bocconi University in Milan and holds an Executive MBA from Mannheim Business School.
Marcolin stated that this appointment aligns with its strategy to enhance ic! berlin’s organizational structure and processes within the group, leveraging its renowned design and handcrafted eyewear made in Berlin to expand its customer base in Asia and the U.S.
Remain Birger Christensen
Danish fashion brand Remain Birger Christensen’s Creative Director Martin Asbjørn has announced his departure.
After over a year in the role, Asbjørn cited differences over the brand’s future design direction as the reason for the split. Asbjørn joined Remain Birger Christensen in June 2023, having founded his own namesake brand in Copenhagen in January 2015.
At Remain Birger Christensen, he worked alongside founder Denise Christensen in designing brand collections and introduced his personal line with the Fall/Winter 2024 season.
｜ Sources: Official Press Releases, FashionNetwork, MFFASHION
｜ Image Credits: Brand websites, executives’ personal social media accounts
｜ Editor: LeZhi
