Retail in Asia

Raffaella Cornaggia appointed chief executive officer of Kering Beauté

French conglomerate Kering announced on February 3 the appointment of Raffaella Cornaggia to the role of CEO of Kering Beauté, a newly created role for the luxury company.

SEE ALSO: Kering reports revenue growth in Q3 2022

Based in Paris, Cornaggia will help develop the beauty category for Kering’s Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Pomellato and Qeelin brands.

She will report to Jean-François Palus, group managing director of Kering, and will also member of the group’s executive committee.

The creation of Kering Beauté will enable the group to support these brands in the development of the beauty category, “which is a natural extension of their universe,” according to a press release.

Kering said it is confident its beauty division can create value for the group and its houses, “drawing on each of their unique identity in a way that is fully consistent with their strategy and market positioning.”

A seasoned beauty executive, Cornaggia comes to Kering from Estée Lauder Companies, which she joined in 2008, serving as marketing head for its EMEA region for Estée Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty.

She then moved to Asia, where she was appointed senior director, brand development for Estée Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty, before being promoted vice president and general manager for M.A.C. Cosmetics in the region.

In 2017, she helmed the development of the travel retail business worldwide for Estée Lauder and Aerin, as senior vice president and general manager, based in New York, before becoming international senior vice president and general manager for the brands in 2020, responsible for worldwide business outside of the U.S. and Canada.

“I am delighted to welcome Raffaella Cornaggia, who brings us considerable experience in a segment that we see as strategically important for our houses,” said Jean-François Palus, group managing director.

“We are building this new area of expertise within our Group to ensure that our brands can fulfill their potential in this category.”