LONDON, United Kingdom – BoF compiles the most important professional moves of the week.
Kering Reshuffles Management
French luxury conglomerate Kering has announced new chief executive appointments for its Bottega Veneta, Christopher Kane and Brioni brands, as part of a large management reshuffle. Sarah Crook will become CEO at Christopher Kane, effective November 17. She succeeds Alexandre de Brettes, who will remain at Christopher Kane to ensure a smooth transition, before taking another position within the group. Carlo Aberto Beretta, who comes from Ermenegildo Zegna, is the new CEO at high-performing brand Bottega Veneta. Aberto Beretta replaces Marco Bizzarri, who was promoted to Kering’s CEO of luxury, couture and leather goods in May. And lastly, Italian menswear label Brioni has named Gianluca Flore CEO, replacing Francesco Pesci, who is leaving to “take his career in a new direction.” Flore was formerly chief executive for Asia Pacific at Bottega Veneta.
Luxottica Names Co-CEO
Luxottica, the world’s largest eyewear group, has named Procter & Gamble executive Adil Mehboob-Khan as its new co-chief executive officer. The move follows last week’s abrupt departure of former CEO Enrico Cavatorta, who took over from long-time chief Andrea Guerra only six weeks earlier. Both executives clashed with Luxottica’s chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio, 79, who has kept out of operations for many years, but in recent months has become more involved with the management of the group. Mehboob-Khan, who has been with P&G since 1987, will take on his new role at the Milan-based company in early January, joining chief operating officer Massimo Vian, who will become co-CEO, in charge of operations and products.
Peter M. Taub to Agnona
Agnona, luxury womenswear brand and part of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, has appointed Peter M. Taub as senior vice president of Agnona North America, effective November 1. A newly created position for the brand, which re-launched last year under the creative direction of Stefano Pilati, M. Taub will report directly to the chief executive Alessandra Carra, and functionally to Robert Aldrich, president and CEO of the Americas at Ermenegildo Zegna. M. Taub, who will be based in New York, will be responsible for leading Agnona’s wholesale and retail expansion in America, where the company will debut its first flagship in New York by the end of 2015.
Aldo Group Appoints CEO
Patrik Frisk, head of VF Corp’s Timberland business, is stepping down from his role to join Canadian footwear retailer Aldo Group as chief executive officer. Frisk, 51, is credited with revitalising the Timberland brand, acquired by VF in 2011, having spearheaded its growth across both Europe and Asia. Earlier this year, he became coalition president for VF’s outdoor Americas business, which also includes the North Face. A replacement for Frisk has not yet been announced. Earlier this month, Stewart Whitney was named president of Timberland.
American Apparel Rehires Creative Director
American Apparel has reinstalled former longtime employee Iris Alonzo as creative director, having dismissed her this June shortly after founder Dov Charney was ousted. The Los Angeles-based retailer has had a turbulent summer, having suspended its CEO on allegations of sexual misconduct, followed by tumult and turnover on the board and financial restructuring. Alonzo’s appointment, believed to be an attempt to restore some normalcy at the turbulent company, is also seen as a potential opening for Charney’s return. The suitability committee of the board is still considering Charney’s future at the company.
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