Givenchy
Luxury brand Givenchy, part of the LVMH Group, has appointed British designer Sarah Burton as Creative Director, overseeing both womenswear and menswear, effective immediately.
A year ago, Sarah Burton left Alexander McQueen, a British designer brand she had worked at for 26 years (currently part of France’s Kering Group).
Burton’s first collection for Givenchy will be unveiled in March 2025.
Born in Macclesfield, England, Sarah Burton began her career at Alexander McQueen as an intern during her studies at Central Saint Martins in 1996. She officially joined the brand after graduation, becoming Head of Womenswear Design in 2000. She worked closely with the brand’s founder, Lee Alexander McQueen, for over 14 years. Following his tragic suicide in 2010, she succeeded him as Creative Director, leading the design of both men’s and women’s collections, as well as accessories, until September 2023.
In 2011, Burton designed the wedding gown for Prince William and Princess Catherine (Prince and Princess of Wales). In 2012, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her contributions to British fashion.
BVLGARI
Italian luxury jewelry brand Bulgari, also part of the LVMH Group, has appointed Jonathan Brinbaum as CEO of its Watches Division.
In this role, Brinbaum will succeed Antoine Pin, who has moved to the Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer (also part of the LVMH Group) as General Manager.
Brinbaum brings extensive experience in the luxury industry, particularly in marketing and brand management. He has held roles at Procter & Gamble, overseeing brands such as Lacoste and Escada fragrances, and Dolce & Gabbana beauty. He joined Bulgari in 2022 as General Manager of the Fragrance Division.
Brinbaum holds dual master’s degrees in Marketing and Finance from ESCP Business School in Paris and BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo.
Y/Project
Belgian designer Glenn Martens has stepped down as Creative Director of Paris-based designer brand Y/Project.
Martens joined Y/Project shortly after its founding, initially as a design assistant to founder Yohan Serfaty. After Serfaty’s death from cancer in 2013, Martens took over as Creative Director. Before joining Y/Project, Martens had worked on the team of French designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
During his over ten-year tenure at Y/Project, Martens expanded the brand’s offerings from menswear to womenswear and accessories, injecting fresh creative energy into the label. While the brand has expressed its gratitude for Martens’ unique contributions, no details have been shared regarding his successor or the future direction of the brand.
Martens studied interior architecture in Bruges before graduating from the Royal Academy of Antwerp. His designs are known for incorporating themes of architecture, structure, modularity, reversibility, and multifunctionality. Through Y/Project and its versatile garments, he won the ANDAM Fashion Award in both 2017 and 2020.
Since October 2020, Martens has also been serving as Creative Director for the Italian high-end denim brand Diesel, part of the OTB Group.
Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced a series of executive appointments to support its ambitious growth plans across Europe and other regions.
- Hospitality expert Geraldine Dobey has been appointed Quality Group Director, focusing on maintaining consistency and excellence in the group’s service standards. Dobey was previously Vice President and General Manager for Mandarin Oriental’s European operations, overseeing the Paris, Geneva, and Marrakech locations.
- Luca Finardi has been appointed General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental, Paris, and Vice President overseeing the group’s properties in France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. He joined the group in 2014 and was previously responsible for the Mandarin Oriental, Milan, and supervised the operations of properties at Lake Como and in Prague.
- Stephanie Greger has been promoted to General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental, Milan. With over 30 years of industry experience, Greger has held various positions within the group, including Director of Marketing and Commerce, and most recently, Hotel Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Milan.
- Dominik Georg Reiner has expanded his responsibilities, continuing as General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental Savoy in Zurich and Vice President of Operations while also overseeing the operations of the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva.
Cadar
New York-based fine jewelry brand Cadar has appointed Ralph Simons as its CEO, effective immediately.
Simons is a seasoned executive in the luxury industry, most recently serving as CEO of Take Mexico 1942. Prior to that, he held management positions at Frederique Constant and Chopard North America.
Cadar, founded by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband Avraham Kadar in 2015, is known for its avant-garde and innovative jewelry designs and craftsmanship. Its products are currently available at several high-end retailers across North America.
| Sources: Official press releases, FashionNetwork, Meet & Match
| Image Credit: Official press releases, social media accounts of the executives
| Editor: LeZhi
