Luxury group Richemont has announced the departure of Riccardo Bellini as president and CEO of Chloé – after four years in the role. He will leave his role at the end of December.
SEE ALSO: Chloé appoints Chemena Kamali as new creative director
Bellini is succeeded by Laurent Malecaze as president and CEO of Chloé. Laurent joins from Richemont-owned British luxury brand, Dunhill, where he oversaw a successful turnaround of the business over the past two years.
Prior to that, he led AZ Factory, also part of Richemont, which he started up with Alber Elbaz. His career also includes stints as CEO of New York-based The Webster, a luxury multi-brand retailer, and several years as a strategic consultant at Bain & Company.
“I am pleased to announce Laurent as the new president and CEO of Chloe,” said Philippe Fortunato, CEO of Richemont’s fashion and accessories maisons.
“Laurent has a proven track record in partnering with great creative talents, and his ability to energise an organisation will be instrumental to lead Chloé during this period of creative renewal. I am confident his partnership with Chemena will usher in a sustained period of growth for the maison.”
Malecaze’s successor at Dunhill is yet to be announced, said parent Richemont.
It’s been a year of immense change at the Chloé house. In October, Richemont appointed Chemena Kamali to the role of creative director at Chloé, replacing Gabriela Hearst who announced her departure in July.
“I am extremely honoured to be leading such an iconic French luxury maison,” said Malecaze.
“I am thrilled to start this new chapter with the immensely talented Chemena Kamali.”
In its most recent trading update, Richemont reported a 6 percent uptick in sales for the first half of 2023, as the Swiss firm became the latest luxury company to highlight increased caution by big-spending customers in recent months.
Half-year growth was led by Asia Pacific, where sales rose by 14 percent, fuelled by a 23 percent progression in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau combined, following the removal of Covid-related restrictions at the start of the year and the related resumption of travel. However, APAC growth slowed considerably compared to the first quarter ending June 30, where the region clocked a whopping 40 percent increase in sales.