Celebrating the trailblazing women redefining luxury on International Women's Day.
1. Delphine Arnault, CEO of Christian Dior
Appointed in early 2023, Delphine Arnault became the CEO of Christian Dior, marking a significant milestone as the first woman to lead the iconic fashion house.
Her journey began at LVMH, where she joined the executive committee in 2019, becoming its youngest member. Arnault believes that "good leadership is genderless," emphasizing traits like strategic vision, optimism, and empathy.
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Led LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, an initiative supporting emerging talent that has shaped the future of luxury fashion.
2. Sabina Belli, CEO of Pomellato Group
Since 2015, Sabina Belli has served as the first female CEO of Pomellato Group. Her career spans roles at major luxury brands, including Bulgari and LVMH.
Belli champions inclusivity and teamwork, stating, "Great goals are always achieved with allies." She believes in the power of "doers" who transform desires into concrete actions.
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Drove Pomellato’s sustainability shift, making it the first luxury jewellery brand to use 100% responsible gold in its collections.
3. Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, CEO of Boucheron
Leading Boucheron since 2015, Hélène Poulit-Duquesne has a background in finance and marketing, with previous roles at Cartier.
She emphasizes vision, energy, passion, and kindness in leadership, asserting that "kindness is not synonymous with weakness."
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Spearheaded Boucheron’s High Jewellery innovation, creating gender-neutral luxury collections that disrupted traditional norms.
4. Leena Nair, CEO of Chanel
In December 2021, Leena Nair became the youngest CEO of Chanel. Her career began at Unilever, where she spent 30 years, culminating as the Chief Human Resources Officer.
Nair believes that leadership is situational, stating, "It doesn't matter if you are senior or junior, what matters is stepping up."
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Transitioned from consumer goods to luxury, bringing a people-first leadership approach to Chanel’s business model, emphasizing inclusivity and cultural impact.
5. Francesca Bellettini, CEO of Saint Laurent
Francesca Bellettini has been at the helm of Saint Laurent since 2013.
Her career trajectory includes significant roles at Goldman Sachs, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta. Bellettini values collaboration, noting her relationship with the brand's artistic director as "100 per cent based on trust and respect."
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Transformed Saint Laurent into a €3 billion brand, significantly growing its revenues and global market share under her leadership.
6. Stella McCartney, Founder and Creative Director of Stella McCartney
A pioneer in sustainable luxury, Stella McCartney launched her eponymous brand in 2001, committed to cruelty-free and eco-friendly fashion.
She has consistently challenged industry norms, proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist. Anna Wintour once remarked, "It was impossible for fashion to think of luxury and sustainability in the same breath before Stella changed that."
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Revolutionized luxury fashion with a cruelty-free, sustainable business model, proving that high fashion can be ethical and environmentally responsible.
7. Daniella Vitale, CEO (Americas) of Salvatore Ferragamo
Daniella Vitale's career began at Salvatore Ferragamo as a merchandise manager.
She later held executive positions at Giorgio Armani and Gucci. Vitale served as CEO of Barneys New York before joining Tiffany & Co. as Chief Brand Officer in 2019. In October 2021, she returned to Salvatore Ferragamo as CEO (Americas).
💡 Remarkable Achievement: As CEO of Barneys New York, she played a pivotal role in modernizing the iconic luxury retailer’s digital and brand presence.
8. Anna Wintour, Artistic Director of Condé Nast and Editor-in-Chief of Vogue
Anna Wintour's influence in fashion journalism is unparalleled. She became the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue in 1988 and was appointed Artistic Director of Condé Nast in 2013.
Wintour's tenure has shaped fashion trends and elevated Vogue's status as a leading fashion publication.
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Launched the Met Gala as a global luxury and fashion marketing powerhouse, turning it into one of the most anticipated events of the year.
9. Ingie Chalhoub, President and Managing Director of Etoile Group
Ingie Chalhoub is a pioneering figure in Middle Eastern luxury retail.
As President and Managing Director of Etoile Group, she has introduced numerous luxury brands to the region. Chalhoub's journey reflects the progressive attitude within Dubai's retail sector, particularly the significant role of women in leadership positions.
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Pioneered luxury retail in the Middle East, bringing brands like Chanel and Dior to the region and setting new benchmarks for the industry.
10. Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Givenchy
Sarah Burton joined Givenchy in 2024 and her first collection for Givenchy celebrated the brand's heritage while presenting a modern twist on classic elegance.
Her designs have been lauded for balancing commercial viability with innovative fashion. She has previously worked in Alexander McQueen from 1997 through 2023.
💡 Remarkable Achievement: Designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, a defining moment in modern luxury fashion that showcased her craftsmanship and elegance.
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