Biography
Sebastian Suhl is a seasoned executive who spearheaded Prada’s retail expansion in Asia and turned Givenchy into the fashion powerhouse it is today. In October 2020, he became chief executive of Italian brand Trussardi.
Previously chief executive of Givenchy, Sebastian Suhl was entrusted with guiding Marc Jacobs International through its IPO, then facilitated Valentino’s international brand expansion efforts as its director of global markets.
Suhl obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics at the Colorado College in 1989, then became an ESADE business school graduate. Suhl began his career in business with executive positions at both Courreges and Thimister, then joined Prada in 2001. During his time at Prada, he enjoyed rapid promotion, securing successful appointments as general manager, France and CEO, Asia Pacific, and eventually took on the role of COO for the
Prada Group
, which incorporates the Miu Miu and Car Shoes brands.
His success was launching Prada’s IPO in Hong Kong in 2011, where the luxury goods group raised $2.1 billion. “In 2012, Suhl went on to become the chief executive of Givenchy. Over a four-year long stint, he opened 25 new boutiques while continuing to expand the brand’s customer base in newly emerging markets in the east, including China and India.
His appointment in 2014 as the chief executive of Marc Jacobs International came at a crucial moment, as the designer refocused his efforts on his namesake brand and prepared for an initial public offering. In 2017, the executive ended his tenure at the brand and relocated to Valentino by November, as the managing director of global markets. From 2013 to 2018, the Italian luxury brand reported a sales jump from $590 million to $1.4 billion, while its first Canadian boutique opened in early 2019.