Sephora
As a global premium beauty retailer under the LVMH Group, Sephora has appointed Xia Ding as the General Manager for the Greater China region, based in Shanghai.
In her new role, Xia Ding will be responsible for the omnichannel business across Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. She will oversee nearly 350 stores, two major e-commerce platforms, and the digital ecosystem, reporting directly to Alia Gogi, the President of Sephora Asia.
Before joining Sephora, Xia Ding served as the Vice President of E-commerce for Nike in Asia Pacific and Latin America. She brings extensive commercial management experience from both the Chinese and American markets, particularly excelling in strategic layout, multinational operations, and innovative management.
Xia Ding holds a Bachelor of Chemistry from Nanjing University and an MBA from Wake Forest University in the United States. Her passion for the retail and fashion industries began with her experience at HanesBrands Inc. in the U.S., where she worked for twenty years. During her tenure, she continuously drove strategic planning and managed business operations in China, significantly contributing to its rapid growth. In 2015, Xia Ding joined Nielsen, a leading global research firm, as the Vice President of Retail Research. In 2017, she became the President of JD.com’s Fashion and Lifestyle Business Group, vigorously advancing various fashion categories including apparel, footwear, sportswear, bags, and jewelry.
Alia Gogi, President of Sephora Asia, stated, “Xia Ding is an exceptional leader who has amassed a wealth of experience in corporate operations, digital transformation, and strategic business development. I am confident that with her professional expertise, profound insights into physical retail and digital and e-commerce operations, as well as her ability to lead the team towards stable business growth, Sephora Greater China will embark on a brilliant new chapter under her leadership.”
Xia Ding commented, “The high-end beauty market in China is at a critical stage of its next development cycle, and I am honored to join the team at this moment. Sephora’s robust product matrix, inclusive corporate culture, and evolving retail experiences deeply attract me.”
Louis Vuitton
The French luxury brand Louis Vuitton has announced that Blake Harrop will assume the position of Executive Vice President of Brand Image and Communications starting May 1, 2024.
In his new role, Blake Harrop will lead the team in charge of Louis Vuitton’s brand image and communication strategy. He will also serve as a member of the management committee, working from the headquarters in Paris and reporting to Pietro Beccari, the Chairman and CEO of the brand.
Blake Harrop has over 20 years of international communication and marketing experience. He has long served at the Wieden + Kennedy advertising agency, managing operations in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Amsterdam, and was appointed as the president of Wieden + Kennedy in 2022. Throughout his career, he has gained profound luxury sector experience through collaborations with leading industry brands. Previously, Blake Harrop also held the role of Global Head of Digital Marketing for the Korean conglomerate Samsung, launching its first social media advertising campaign.
Morabito Paris
Founded in 1905, the French luxury leather goods brand Morabito Paris has appointed Quentin Véron as its Artistic Director, effective April 1.
In his new role, Quentin Véron will oversee all product lines for the brand, including leather goods (both classic and new collections), luggage, travel accessories, accessories, and special orders.
The brand noted in its press release that Quentin Véron, with his eponymous brand, “is well-known for his creativity and understanding of the intricately luxurious world of fine goods, which will safeguard the development of the maison while bringing a fresh perspective to this brand with a 120-year history.”
Quentin Veron expressed, “It’s an honor to join Morabito, a brand that has always been legendary to me. We share a common pursuit of craftsmanship and superior materials. I am looking forward to collaborating with some of the top workshops in Paris and soon introducing contemporary designs that will stand alongside the brand’s iconic creations.”
Renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, Morabito Paris was founded by Jean-Baptiste Morabito, originally a well-known jeweler who quickly became an expert in rare materials. Each product is crafted with the precision of jewelry. For decades, the brand’s Parisian workshop has focused on hand-sewn techniques, earning widespread recognition and the nickname “the goldsmith of leather goods.”
In addition to serving private clients, Morabito has also catered to royal and imperial courts and is a part of France’s diplomatic gifts. Its celebrity clientele includes Marilyn Monroe, Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, and Catherine Deneuve, among others.
| Source: Official Press Release
| Image Credit: Official Press Release
| Editor: LeZhi
