Leadership Shakeup at LVMH Sees Louis Vuitton and Dior Get New CEOs

LVMH is starting 2023 with major executive shuffles within its fastest-growing flagship houses. In a momentous and unprecedented shakeup, the parent company has named the former head of Dior, Pietro Beccari to become the chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. Succeeding him as CEO of Dior is Delphine Arnault, Bernard Arnault‘s eldest child and LV’s executive vice president for the product for nine years. Michael Burke, who has long played a major role at the house, steps down at Louis Vuitton after a decade-long tenure. According to LVMH, Burke will “take up new responsibilities, reporting directly to Bernard Arnault.” Bernard Arnault is currently the chairman and CEO of LVMH, as well as head of the main family holding company, Financière Agache.

To accommodate the C-suite changes, Charles Delapalme has been elevated to managing director of Christian Dior Couture. He has been the executive vice president of Christian Dior’s commercial activities since 2018 and is well-versed in the conduct of the house. In addition, the chairman and CEO of LVMH’s watches and jewelry division, Stéphane Bianchi, will now have Tiffany & Co. and Repossi under his portfolio.

The management shuffle is one of the biggest announcements made amongst Europe’s largest luxury fashion groups. Back in November, Kering announced that Gucci will be parting ways with creative director Alessandro Michele, who had been in the role since 2015. On a management level, Prada saw LVMH’s former executive Andrea Guerra succeed Patrizio Bertelli as CEO after Miuccia Prada steps down as Prada Group CEO alongside her husband. Delphine Arnault’s move to Dior is her first CEO role under the LVMH empire. Up until the announcement, the eldest daughter of Bernard has played a more behind-the-scenes role. However, as the world saw the unveiling of the Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton collaboration, Delphine is now placed in the spotlight as millions follow her upcoming plans for the house of Dior. Bernard categorizes these “significant organizational changes” at Louis Vuitton and Dior as “another milestone in a career journey in fashion and leather goods defined by excellence.”

As for Beccari, the appointment sees the CEO return to Louis Vuitton and the second time he has succeeded Burke. In 2012, Beccari succeeded Burke as chairman and CEO of Fendi. Prior to that, he joined Louis Vuitton in 2006 as the director of strategy and marketing coordination, ultimately rising to executive vice president. Under Burke’s tenure, Louis Vuitton’s revenues tripled and exceeded €21 billion EUR. With many changes happening under LVMH, including the most recent announcement that KidSuper co-creating Louis Vuitton’s upcoming FW23 menswear collection, it appears that LVMH is signaling big changes in vision for their major luxury houses.

The executive changes are said to be effective starting on February 1, 2023.

In other fashion news, Thom Browne recently testified about his lifelong love of sports in the Adidas lawsuit.