Biography
Daniel Lalonde currently serves as chief executive officer of Design Holding, a global leader in high-end design which encompasses the ten iconic brands Flos, B&B Italia, Louis Poulsen, Arclinea, FENDI Casa, Maxalto, Azucena, Menu, by Lassen, and Lumens. He joined the Milan-based design group from SMCP in November 2021 and has since been spearheading the Group’s international expansion as well as pushing for a sustainable agenda.
Lalonde began his career working at a management consultancy in Paris. He subsequently joined Nespresso in 1994 and had a fundamental role in transforming the company from a start-up to a successful global brand, serving first as chief executive officer of North America and then, over the next five years, as global chief operating officer based at the company’s Swiss headquarters.
In 2002, he began a 10-year professional path with LVMH Group in New York, initially as president and CEO of LVMH Watches & Jewellery North America, building the Tag Heuer watch brand into a market leader. He then became president and CEO of Louis Vuitton North America and in just five years turned LV into the number one luxury brand on the market, thanks to strong strategic moves, new flagship stores, the launch of e-commerce and creative partnerships. In 2010, Lalonde returned to Paris to serve as global president and CEO of Möet & Chandon and Dom Perignon.
In 2012 he served as international president at Ralph Lauren , before joining SMCP in 2014 as CEO and director for the French multi-brand group which includes Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac. Under Lalonde's leadership, SMCP became a leading player in accessible luxury through a global expansion and a strategic multi-channel approach including digital transformation. These investments led the company to surpass a €1 billion revenue milestone and it being listed successfully on Euronext Paris.
Lalonde holds an MBA from INSEAD, where he currently serves on the board of directors and has received Honour’s Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, he currently serves as director on the Boards of Design Holding, PUIG SA, a global leader in beauty and fashion, and Altagamma. He has lectured at Harvard Business School and Columbia University.