The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Alexandre Arnault, aged 31, will serve on the board in addition to his current role as Tiffany’s executive vice president for product and communications. 29 year-old Frédéric Arnault, chief executive of LVMH Watches, was also approved as a director.
The two brothers join older siblings Antoine and Delphine, meaning that 4 out of Arnault’s 5 heirs now serve on the board. Arnault’s youngest child, Jean, has also taken on a management role as director of Louis Vuitton’s watch division.
Succession has become a major theme for luxury’s biggest group in recent years. Bernard Arnault, age 75, has restructured his holding companies, placing his controlling interest in LVMH in a stock-share partnership that would help perpetuate family control.
Meanwhile, key longtime leaders have retired from key positions in recent months. Sidney Toledano, formerly CEO of Christian Dior and then chief of LVMH’s Fashion Group, transitioned to an advisory role in January, while Antony Belloni, formerly the group’s second-in-command as deputy CEO, announced his departure last month.
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Toledano was replaced by ex-Louis Vuitton chief Michael Burke. Belloni is set to be succeeded by Stéphane Bianchi, head of the group’s watches and jewellery division.
Learn more:
Ageing billionaire founders still control luxury’s biggest groups. Recent appointments at LVMH and Prada have pushed the long-taboo topic of succession into the spotlight.
Disclosure: LVMH is part of a group of investors who, together, hold a minority interest in The Business of Fashion. All investors have signed shareholders' documentation guaranteeing BoF's complete editorial independence.
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