The former president of Kering Asia-Pacific, Mimi Tang accumulated over twenty-five years of experience in luxury retail. She initially joined the company, in 1998, as president in China and Hong Kong of what was then called the Gucci Group. Tang departed Kering in November 2014 — allowing her to start "a new chapter" in her life. Tang was succeded by Carl Imò, but remained on the board of the Kering Foundation.
In her role at Kering, Tang oversaw a portfolio of brands, including Alexander McQueen , Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent , and has played an integral role in guiding their expansion strategies in the profitable Asian markets. In 2012, Kering’s Asia-Pacific operations accounted for over 25 percent of the group’s annual sales results.
Tang started her career at age 17, working as a buying assistant and merchandiser for what was then called DFS Galleria in Hong Kong. In 1985, Tang joined luxury retailer Joyce and oversaw the store’s merchandising and operations in the region for over ten years. In 1996, Tang secured a position as executive vice president of HPL-21 Limited, a former licensing and franchising company overseeing the retail infrastructure for Donna Karan , DKNY and Armani Exchange in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia.
A founding member of the Kering Foundation, a corporate project launched in 2009 to help provide aid and support to vulnerable women, Tang actively serves on the board alongside Francoise Henri-Pinault and Stella McCartney . The organisation has launched a number of successful initiatives including social entrepreneurship awards and partnerships with NGO’s.
