Loewe Announces New Global Brand Ambassador Taylor Russell
LOEWE announced actress Taylor Russell as a new Global Ambassador for the house. As well as opening the SS23 women’s runway show, Russell will appear in LOEWE’s upcoming SS23 pre-collection campaign.
“I first met Taylor through a very dear friend of ours, Luca Guadagnino. I’ve never been so inspired by someone-it was the start of a very special friendship. I’m so proud that she agreed to open the SS23 show, and excited to have her join the LOEWE family.” – Creative Director Jonathan Anderson
“I am honored to join the LOEWE family as their first US-based Global Ambassador. Jonathan has been at the forefront of creativity in fashion, with such a distinct vision and voice. I am excited for our imaginations to reach new heights as we explore and collaborate in this incredibly special partnership.” – Taylor Russell
Road to Awe Announced Robert Liptak Creative Director
Road To Awe, RTA, announced the appointment of Robert Liptak, formerly with Tom Ford, as their new Creative Director.
“As we continue on our journey of self-expression through style that meets the moment, Robert will be presenting his first collection for RTA – invigorating an energy within and offering expansive vision for the future.”
“I believe that our wardrobes shouldn’t just reflect who we are but also who we aspire to be. Alongside David and the incredible team here at RTA, we will do exactly that.”– Robert Liptak
Lemaire Announced Laetitia Mergui CEO
Laetitia Mergui, Previously Chloé’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, has been appointed CEO of the French brand Lemaire.
“Laetitia has a strong natural link with Lemaire’s values,” stated Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran, the creative duo still at the head of the brand. Her human qualities and understanding of our creative universe will strengthen the development of our teams united by common convictions and the same passion for cleverly thought out and carefully crafted clothing and accessories.”
Olivier Germain Appointed CEO of Claudie Pierlot
SMCP, the parent company of the Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac brands, announced the appointment of Olivier Germain as Claudie Pierlot’s CEO, effective from November 2, 2022. In this role, he will join the SMCP Executive Committee.
Isabelle Guichot, CEO of SMCP, stated: “I am very pleased to welcome Olivier to the SMCP Executive Committee as CEO of Claudie Pierlot. Over the course of his career in fashion, Olivier has acquired a unique expertise in this industry, a strategic vision and leadership which are major assets for Claudie Pierlot’s expansion at a key moment in its history, as the brand will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. I would like to join the entire SMCP team in wishing him every success in his new position.”
Aged 51, Olivier Germain joined SMCP as CEO of Claudie Pierlot after spending two years at New Guards Group (Off white, Ambush, Palm Angels, Heron Peston…) as Chief Product Officer, and three years at Balmain in the same role. Having graduated from the ESSEC business school and holding a master degree in modern literature, Olivier developed his expertise in merchandising and retail at brands such as Tom Ford, YSL, Dior and Alexander McQueen, with a strong focus on the product offer and the desirability of the brands for which he was responsible. These experiences have given him a valuable business perspective, proven leadership skills and a deep understanding of the product.
Olivier Germain, CEO of Claudie Pierlot, said: “I am delighted to join the SMCP group and Claudie Pierlot at a pivotal moment in its history. The 40th anniversary of the brand in 2024 will be an opportunity to accelerate its development by bringing together key elements and the values bequeathed by its founder. I would like to thank Isabelle Guichot and the Board of Directors of SMCP Group for their trust in me to write this new chapter for the Claudie Pierlotbrand together.”
Philipp Andrée to become new CDO of DOUGLAS
From January 2023, Philipp Andrée will be the new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and member of the Board at DOUGLAS Group. Andrée is currently Member of the Executive Board for Digital & Marketing at the Hamburg-based coffee roaster and retailer Tchibo. He has held various management positions in e-commerce, digital and marketing for almost ten years.
“As a proven and experienced online and marketing expert, Philipp Andrée is the ideal CDO to continue and develop the successful digital path of DOUGLAS,” said Henning Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at DOUGLAS Group. “We are convinced that we are placing our e-commerce business, which is so crucial for DOUGLAS, in the right hands.”
Andrée has been with Tchibo for more than seven years and successfully grew the online business to a significant revenue driver. Under the leadership of the 40-year-old, the omnichannel-retailing has been strongly developed to integrate the in-store and digital business. In addition, he successfully re-organized and re-aligned the marketing, modernized the brand and expanded digital marketing & CRM. He is also responsible for the business unit Mobile Communication & Travel at Tchibo. Previously, Andrée built up and later sold the online fashion platform Department47 and began his career as management consultant at McKinsey. After studying mechanical engineering, he gained a PhD in marketing.
“We very much look forward to working with Philipp Andrée on the Management Board of DOUGLAS,” said Sander van der Laan, CEO of the DOUGLAS Group. “DOUGLAS has achieved huge growth in digital business in the past few years. We want to stay on this path and develop it further. I extend a warm welcome to Philipp on behalf of all the colleagues.”
Philipp Andrée will take over as CDO from Vanessa Stützle, who left the company at the end of August to take up the position of CEO at the LUQOM Group. Alongside the online shop and partner programme, Stützle was also responsible for the CRM programme at DOUGLAS and for setting up the Retail Media unit.
Sander Van Der Laan Appointed As New Douglas CEO
Douglas, Europe’s leading provider of premium beauty and health products, announced a leadership change: Sander van der Laan (54) became CEO of the company as of November 1, 2022. He will succeed Tina Müller (54), who decided to resign at her own request and will join the Supervisory Board after five successful years as CEO of Douglas.
“I am delighted that we have won Sander van der Laan as CEO of Douglas. He is an excellent manager with proven experience in the retail industry and a strong leadership personality. I would like to thank Tina Müller on behalf of the entire Supervisory Board for her outstanding contribution to the company’s success and regret her departure,” said Henning Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Douglas. “In the last years, she has redefined Douglas’ strategy and successfully driven the company’s transformation into Europe’s leading digital premium beauty platform. We are very pleased that we will continue to benefit from her expertise and experience as a member of the Supervisory Board.”
Alexander Dibelius, CEO Germany of CVC, the majority shareholder of Douglas, said: “With Sander van der Laan, we welcome an experienced manager with an outstanding track record at renowned retailers and brand manufacturers. We are very much looking forward to joining forces. Tina Müller has laid an excellent foundation: She has geared Douglas towards a modern and digital direction. At the same time, she has tripled e-commerce sales, achieved record sales and an excellent result this year after steering the company safely through the pandemic. We thank her for her outstanding commitment to the company and its employees.”
Tina Müller said: “It was my great pleasure to lead Douglas into a new era together with an outstanding team, who has always put our customers first. I am truly proud that together we have created Europe’s largest premium beauty and health platform. Now is the right time for me to take the next step. In the coming years, I want to set new and different impulses. I would like to express my gratitude to all Douglas employees and brand partners for their support and great trust. In addition, I would also like to thank our customers for their fantastic support over the past years. I am delighted that Sander van der Laan, a recognized and experienced top manager, is taking over at Douglas. I am certain that he will successfully lead the company and I wish him and all colleagues the very best.”
Sander van der Laan most recently steered the fortunes of Dutch non-food retailer Action as CEO for more than six years. Under his leadership, the company’s sales increased from 2 to over 5 billion euros. He also played a key role in driving Action’s international expansion in ten European countries, further developing the brand and product range and successfully establishing the company’s digital interface. Prior to joining Action, he spent over 16 years in various management positions at the listed retail company Ahold Delhaize – most recently as CEO of the leading Dutch retail chain Albert Heijn. During this time, he was responsible for the transformation of Albert Heijn into a multi-channel brand and headed the company’s expansion into new markets.
“Sander van der Laan has extensive management expertise in the retail sector combined with an outstanding track record in driving sales, marketing, supply chain management and digitalization. Within a few years, he significantly increased Action’s sales and operating profit. This makes him an ideal candidate to lead Douglas into the next phase. In particular, this will include optimizing backbone processes to match the e-commerce business, fully integrating the pharmacy portfolio, and further strengthening profitability,” said Kreke.
“Douglas has undergone an extraordinary development in the last few years,” said van der Laan. “I am looking forward to contributing my experience and continuing the company’s success story together with an accomplished team.”
MF Brands Group Announced Carole de Montgolfier Chief Sustainability Officer
Carole de Montgolfier will be responsible for implementing and steering the MF Brands Group’s CSR strategy. She will also be responsible for coordinating the Group’s five brands (Aigle, Gant, Lacoste, Tecnifibre and The Kooples) on all these issues.
Carole de Montgolfier, who will report to Alexandre Nodale – Deputy CEO of MF Brands – will also represent the Group in the relevant CSR bodies to support and accelerate the sustainable transformation of the fashion industry.
Thierry Guibert, CEO of MF Brands Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Carole de Montgolfier to the Group. With her dual expertise in finance and CSR, we will be able to rely on her rigour and skills to deploy our social and environmental strategy. Her arrival is a testament to our commitment and the pioneering role MF Brands is taking in its industry to make it ever more responsible and to foster a desirable future.”
Carole de Montgolfier (NEOMA) has spent most of her professional career with the Carrefour Group, where she worked between 1996 and 2019. She held financial and extra-financial positions and became Group CSR Project Manager, reporting to the General Management. In 2020, she was appointed CSR and Compliance Director of the FashionCube Group.
Bath & Body Works Appoints Gina Boswell CEO
Bath & Body Works, Inc. announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously to appoint Gina Boswell Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective December 1, 2022. Sarah E. Nash, who has served as Executive Chair of the Board since February 2022 and interim Chief Executive Officer since May 2022, will remain Executive Chair through the end of the Company’s fiscal year on January 28, 2023, at which time she will transition back to Chair of the Board.
Ms. Boswell has more than 30 years of experience, including extensive beauty and personal care leadership roles at global companies such as Unilever, Alberto Culver Company and The Estee Lauder Companies. She brings deep expertise in sales, marketing, brand-building, and business development and strategy, along with strong operational experience and a demonstrated track record of delivering successful business outcomes. Known as a values-based leader, Ms. Boswell has led large cross-functional teams both domestically and internationally with a strong focus on team building.
Ms. Nash commented, “Gina is a proven leader of global businesses with decades of beauty and personal care industry experience and an impressive track record of driving profitable growth. Gina’s customer-centric mindset, multi-channel expertise and passion for building high-performance cultures make her the ideal leader for Bath & Body Works’ next growth chapter. The Board is confident that her industry knowledge and collective skillset will help the Company in continuing to enhance our omni approach, executing our merchandising initiatives, and accelerating growth across channels, categories and regions to ultimately drive enhanced value for shareholders.”
Ms. Boswell said, “I am both honored and excited to join Bath & Body Works and lead the Company at such a dynamic time. I see tremendous potential to leverage the Company’s deep customer connections, significant product innovation capabilities and vertically integrated supply chain to advance Bath & Body Works’ growth and drive shareholder value. I look forward to partnering with the Board, leadership team and the talented associates across the organization to build on and accelerate the Company’s leadership as a global omnichannel personal care and home fragrance brand.”
Gucci Signs on NewJeans’ Hanni as New Ambassador
Gucci has signed Hanni, lead singer of NewJeans, as its newest brand ambassador, continuing the K-pop wave.
Longines Announced Jennifer Lawrence Newest Ambassador of Elegance
Swiss watchmaker Longines has announced that Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence has joined the brand as its newest Ambassador of Elegance. A bold, empowered woman, Jennifer is an ideal addition to the Longines family.
Matthias Breschan, Longines’ CEO, is thrilled that the actress has joined an impressive roster of Ambassadors of Elegance. He says, “Jennifer has the ability to imbue every character she plays with reality and authenticity, and off-screen, this translates into an elegance that is both natural and relatable. She is an inspiration to girls and women of all ages and we are proud to welcome her to the Longines family.”
Lawrence is looking forward to her partnership with Longines as well. She says, “Longines is rooted in a legacy of innovation and quality trusted by some of history’s greatest trailblazers. I am thrilled to join the Longines family and look forward to our partnership in the years ahead!”
Although her performances have made her a household name, Lawrence is much more than a movie star. In 2018, she established her own production company, Excellent Cadaver, under which she produced her latest film, Causeway, and off screen, Lawrence is a passionate advocate for gender equality, and is on the board of Represent.us, a non-partisan organization working nationwide to pass powerful anti-corruption laws.
Lawrence continued, “Longines has long been synonymous with timeless elegance, which to me, can be defined as a quiet powerfulness met with grace and confidence. And as a native Kentuckian, I’ve always associated Longines with the Derby and the embodiment of tradition.”
Watches and Wonders Creates its own Foundation
After the success of the first edition of Watches and Wonders Geneva in 2022, Rolex, Richemont and Patek Philippe have decided to create the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF), a not-for-profit foundation based in Geneva.
The mission of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation is to promote watchmaking excellence throughout the world. The purpose of this new foundation, established in September 2022, is to organise either in-person or digital watch and jewellery exhibitions, in Geneva and beyond our borders.
The WWGF will be managed by a Foundation Board, with Jean-Frédéric Dufour serving as Chairman and Emmanuel Perrin as Vice-Chairman. Along with the founding members, they will define the major strategic areas of this ambitious project. The Exhibiting Committee, made up of representatives from the participating Maisons, will, on the other hand, continue to take all the decisions to ensure the exhibition runs smoothly. Matthieu Humair, current CEO of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, will become the CEO of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation. The WWGF will be based in Geneva, an opportunity for the city to consolidate its reputation as the world’s watchmaking capital.