Fendi / LVMH Group
On October 11, French luxury conglomerate LVMH announced that British designer Kim Jones will step down from his role as Artistic Director of Italian luxury brand Fendi. LVMH stated that Fendi’s new creative leadership will be announced in due course.
Kim Jones took over Fendi’s haute couture, ready-to-wear, and fur collections in 2020, succeeding the late fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld. Following his departure, Silvia Venturini Fendi, heir to the founding family, will continue as the brand’s Creative Director for accessories, menswear, and children’s wear, while her daughter, Delfina Delettrez, will continue designing the jewelry collections.
Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, stated in a press release: “Kim Jones is a talented designer who brought a unique multicultural vision to Fendi over the past four years. I want to thank him for his contribution and look forward to seeing his continued creativity at Dior Men.”
LVMH acquired shares in Fendi from the founding Fendi family in 1999 and became its sole owner in 2001.
After joining Fendi in 2020, Kim Jones became another renowned menswear designer, following in the footsteps of Hedi Slimane and Raf Simons, to successfully transition into womenswear design. Under his leadership, Fendi emphasized craftsmanship and high-profile collaborations, including partnerships with Kim Kardashian’s Skims, Donatella Versace, Marc Jacobs, Tiffany & Co., and Stefano Pilati. Furthermore, during his tenure, the brand reduced its use of fur, focusing instead on recyclable alternative materials.
Kim Jones is a seasoned designer within the LVMH group. Despite his departure from Fendi, he will continue as the Artistic Director of Dior Men, a role he has held since 2018. Prior to this, he served as the Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Men’s from 2011 to 2018, where he led the landmark collaboration with New York streetwear brand Supreme, sparking the luxury streetwear trend.
Earlier in his career, from 2008 to 2011, Kim Jones was Creative Director of British menswear brand Dunhill, part of the Richemont Group.
Proenza Schouler
On Thursday, American designer brand Proenza Schouler announced the appointment of Shira Suveyke Snyder as its new CEO.
The appointment follows brand co-founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s collaboration with hedge fund Mudrick Capital to repurchase the brand from Boston private equity firm Castanea Partners.
Suveyke Snyder succeeds Kay Hong, who held the position since 2018 and will remain on the board.
Suveyke Snyder previously served as President of fashion e-commerce site Shopbop, a subsidiary of Amazon. She has also held executive roles at luxury e-commerce group Yoox Net-a-Porter, as well as buying and marketing positions at Gilt, J.Crew, and Macy’s. More recently, she provided consulting services to luxury companies backed by private equity firms.
Proenza Schouler, founded in New York in 2002, has won numerous CFDA awards over the years. The brand is currently in a period of transformation and is set to open a new store in SoHo, New York, later this year.
Bonhams
Bonhams Auctioneers announced two significant appointments in its Asian wine and spirits team, effective immediately: Terrence Tang has been named Head of Wine and Spirits for Asia, and Lucien Michel has been appointed Senior Specialist for Wine. These appointments mark a key step in expanding the department’s business strategy, following the appointment of Amayès Aouli as Global Head of Wine and Spirits earlier this year.
As department head, Terrence Tang will lead Bonhams’ wine and spirits business across Asia, focusing on business growth and client development. With 14 years of experience in the wine industry, he previously served as Head of Asia for wine auction house Zachys, where he successfully orchestrated several single-owner sales, including the “Dynasty Collection,” “All-Star Collection,” and “Ultimate Leroy Collection.” He is also a member of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, a Burgundy wine-tasting fraternity.
Lucien Michel, appointed as Senior Wine Specialist, brings a decade of experience in Asia’s wine and spirits industry, specializing in client development and relationship management. Most recently, he was Private Client Relationship Manager at Edrington, a group known for its renowned Scotch whisky and spirits brands. Before that, he worked at Sotheby’s as a Client Manager, handling retail and private sales. Lucien has extensive experience managing high-net-worth clients in Asia and is skilled in curating bespoke brand experiences. In his new role, he will assist Bonhams in expanding its wine auction portfolio and fostering deeper client relationships.
In mid-October, Bonhams will open a new Asian headquarters in Tower 6 of Pacific Place, Hong Kong, further expanding its presence in the region.
Terrence Tang and Lucien Michel will work closely with Bonhams’ esteemed Asian team, including Senior Wine Specialist Louisa Tsang and Spirits Specialist Katherine Wong, solidifying Bonhams’ position and driving continued growth in Asia.
| Source: Reuters, The New York Times, Official Press Releases
| Image Credit: LinkedIn, Official Press Releases
| Editor: LeZhi
