Leena Nair
Global Chief Executive, Chanel
The Chanel chief executive is the only woman of colour leading a major luxury brand and is poised to shake up luxury fashion, leveraging her outsider status and background in human resources.
Leena Nair is the global chief executive of Chanel since January 2022.
As a British-Indian woman who spent decades leading human resources and company culture for consumer goods giant Unilever, Nair stands out among luxury's top executives who remain mostly male and white, in addition to bringing an outsider view on fashion.
Nair, who joined the French couture-and-beauty icon during a time of transition following Karl Lagerfeld ’s death in 2019, is tasked with extending the luxury label’s long-running success while modernising its structures and storytelling. Her appointment signals the importance of attracting and managing talent for Chanel's evolution.
Nair was born in India, and joined Unilever almost 30 years ago. She rose to the top of the company’s South Asian human resources team, then moved to London to serve as senior vice president for leadership and organisational development, before finally being appointed chief human resources officer of the group.
As chief executive of Chanel, she became the only woman of colour leading a major global luxury brand.
VITAL STATISTICS
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
ExploreWhat is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
ExploreChanel CEO Says Price Hikes Driven by Inflation, Craftsmanship
The luxury goods maker is seeking pricing harmonisation across the globe, and adjusts prices in different markets to ensure that the company is”fair to all [its] clients everywhere,” CEO Leena Nair said.
Chanel + Manchester = Chanchester!
‘Chanel is never really new — it’s always Chanel,’ designer Virginie Viard tells Tim Blanks as she brings the French megabrand’s celebration of artisanal crafts to the UK’s second city.
BoF Celebrates VOICES 2023 With Star-Studded Gala
After three days of inspiring talks, guests closed out BoF’s gathering for big thinkers with a black tie gala followed by an intimate performance from Rita Ora — guest starring Billy Porter.
BoF VOICES 2023: AI and the Human Touch
Artificial intelligence, preserving a sense of humanity and the power of representation were just a few of the topics covered by speakers including Chanel CEO Leena Nair.
Chanel’s Three Pillars for the Future
At The Business of Fashion’s VOICES 2023 gathering, Chanel’s global CEO Leena Nair outlined to BoF founder Imran Amed the vision she’s crafted during her first two years leading the iconic brand.
Chanel to Double Capital Investments, Bolster ‘Ultimate Luxury Experience’ as Sales Surge
The privately-held fashion and beauty giant’s sales rose 17 percent to $17 billion in 2022. Private salons for top-spending clients, emerging technologies and a new London headquarters are on new CEO Leena Nair’s agenda.
Chanel to Double Capital Investments, Bolster ‘Ultimate Luxury Experience’ as Sales Surge
The privately-held fashion and beauty giant’s sales rose 17 percent to $17 billion in 2022. Private salons for top-spending clients, emerging technologies and a new London headquarters are on new CEO Leena Nair’s agenda.