Bold Moves – Reference Studios, Swarovski, Chanel, Church’s


Mumi Haiati, Simon Whitehouse Image courtesy of Sven Marquardt

Reference Studios Announced Simon Whitehouse CEO

Reference Studios announced its expansion to Milan and the appointment of CEO Simon Whitehouse, who navigates the company’s growth together with Founder Mumi Haiati.

Per LinkedIn, Simon Whitehouse said:

Super happy to announce I am joining as CEO of REFERENCE STUDIOS GmbH, one of the most progressive and diverse communication agencies around. The vision of Mumi Haiati (Founder) is completely unique, and as positively infectious as impactful.

Key clients represented by Reference Studios include the likes of Supreme, Rimowa, Gucci, and most recently Nike.

Reference will also now represent my personal brand EBIT™ – Enjoy Being in Transition™ for PR+Communications.

Transdisciplinary in approach, Reference Studios facilitates exchange between its clients and ecosystem of A-listers, creative tastemakers and key opinion leaders to impact culture in fashion and beyond – solidifying brands in the process. The biannual Reference Festival, boasting contributions from the world’s most recognised institutions, artists and brands – including Dover Street Market, Wolfgang Tillmans and Selfridges London – testifies to this statement.

Reference Studios also announced the opening of its new showroom and offices in the heart of Milan’s Porta Venezia district. Conceived by design studio NM3, the new space will be home to the agency’s Milan branch and clientele.

Following Simon Whitehouse’s appointment as CEO, Reference Studios represents the PR and communication of his brand EBIT™ – Enjoy Being in Transition™ – an odyssey of emerging cultural moments in virtual fashion, physical streetwear, music mixes and nostalgic artforms all rooted in empathy of mental health. EBIT™ visual identity is by M/M (Paris) and early collaborators include: Glen Luchford, Soo Joo Park, Michel Gaubert and DJ John Digweed.

Image courtesy of Sven Marquardt (esteemed artist and legendary doorman of Berlin’s infamous Berghain nightclub).

David Wielemans

Swarovski Announces David Wielemans as New Chief Financial Officer

Swarovski names David Wielemans new Chief Financial Officer as of April 2023. David Wielemans will also become a new member of Swarovski’s Executive Committee and will report to Chief Executive Officer Alexis Nasard. Mr. Wielemans will be based in Männedorf, Switzerland. In this role, Mr. Wielemans is replacing Mr. Frederik Westring, currently CFO ad interim, who will leave Swarovski at the end of June to pursue other interests. Until then, Mr. Westring will continue leading special projects, reporting to the CEO,
Alexis Nasard.

This appointment is a further step in the transformation of the company and represents another phase of Swarovski’s luxurization journey.

David Wielemans is a senior financial executive with rich luxury and retail experience, with deep subject matter financial expertise. He joins from Essilor/Luxottica where his last role was the Co-CFO for the EssilorLuxottica Group as well as the Group CFO for Essilor International.

David Wielemans holds a Master of Finance and Accounting (DECF) degree from CNAM Paris (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers)

Alexis Nasard, CEO, says “I am pleased to announce the appointment of this well rounded and experienced leader. The breadth and depth of his expertise aligns perfectly with Swarovski’s LUXignite strategy and will be a key asset as we continue our luxurization journey toward sustainable, profitable growth. I, and everyone at Swarovski are deeply grateful for the contributions Frederik Westring brought to the Company over the past six years. He was a key player in shaping our new strategy, and in strengthening our results”.

David Wielemans comments on his appointment, “I am delighted to join Swarovski. The combination of an iconic brand, fashion and retail expertise and a deep manufacturing savoir-faire makes Swarovski unique. I look forward to contributing to the success of LUXignite strategy and to anchoring robust financials together with Alexis and all Swarovski colleagues.”

Margaret Qualley and Amandla Stenberg Join Jennie In The Coco Crush 2023 Campaign

Chanel is pleased to announce that the actress and House ambassador Margaret Qualley and the actress Amandla Stenberg, will join the singer and Chanel ambassador Jennie in the Coco Crush campaign that will be revealed in January 2023.

Lucien Laviscount

Lucien Laviscount Announced as Church’s Brand Ambassador

Church’s is pleased to announce its new Brand Ambassador, the British actor Lucien Laviscount who did his first appearance wearing the Church’s Consul shoes on the red carpet of the Brit Awards.