Former Balenciaga Deputy CEO Takes Helm at Danish Fashion Brand
Ganni, the Danish fashion label, has announced the appointment of Laura du Rusquec as its new Chief Executive Officer. Du Rusquec, who previously served as the Deputy CEO at Balenciaga, will be taking over from Andrea Baldo, who has led Ganni since 2018.
During his tenure, Baldo achieved significant milestones, including registering annual double-digit growth and expanding Ganni’s retail presence. Nicolaj Reffstrup, founder of Ganni, praised Baldo’s contributions, stating, “Andrea has been an integral part of Ganni’s journey, steering us through both challenges and opportunities with unmatched dedication. His vision has been crucial in shaping what Ganni is today. We are immensely thankful for his leadership and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Prior to her role at Balenciaga, du Rusquec accumulated experience at Gucci and its parent company, Kering. Reflecting on her new role, du Rusquec expressed enthusiasm about her future with Ganni: “I am thrilled to join Ganni at such a pivotal time and to continue building on the brand’s strong foundation. Ganni’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and their progressive approach to luxury is exactly what the future of fashion needs. I look forward to leading the talented team toward new heights and further global expansion.”
Eduardo Velasco, partner at L Catterton—the private equity firm that owns Ganni and has investments in several other prominent brands like Birkenstock, Etro, and A.P.C.—commented on the new appointment: “Laura’s extensive experience in EMEA and global markets with a specialty in luxury equips her with unique insights and strategies, ideal for leading Ganni into its next phase of growth and brand innovation.”
Ganni was acquired in 2009 by Nicolaj and Ditte Reffstrup from its founder Frans Truelsen, who launched the brand in 2000 in Copenhagen initially as a cashmere apparel label. Today, Ganni operates over 45 stores globally and provides e-commerce services across 35 countries. The brand’s primary headquarters are in Copenhagen, with additional offices in London, New York, Shanghai, and Paris. Du Rusquec will be based out of Ganni’s Paris office, positioning her in a strategic location for managing the brand’s international operations and growth.