Latest Articles in People

Former Nike executive Heidi O'Neill named Lululemon's next chief executive officer

Canadian athletic apparel company Lululemon has announced the appointment of industry veteran Heidi O’Neill as its next chief executive officer (CEO). O’Neill, who brings more than three decades of experience in the brand strategy and product innovation sectors, is scheduled to assume the role and join the board of directors on September 8,...

Featured

People

Ivano Cauli named new CEO of Pitti Immagine

Ivano Cauli has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Pitti Immagine, while Raffaello Napoleone, who has been CEO of Pitti Immagine since 1989, has been appointed managing director for international and institutional relations. Raffaello Napoleone held the position of CEO of Pitti since 1989 Credits: Pitti Immagine The new board of...

People

Puma establishes new wholesale management role

The Herzogenaurach-based sportswear company has appointed Bertrand Blanc to the newly created role of vice president global wholesale. Blanc will take up his new position effective May 1, Puma announced on Wednesday. He will report directly to chief commercial officer (CCO) Matthias Baeumer and will be responsible for developing and implementing...

People

Sky News report: JD Sports chairman Andy Higginson to depart in unexpected exit

UK-based retailer JD Sports Fashion is preparing for the departure of its chairman, Andy Higginson, who is expected to step down from the board in the coming months. The news, reported by Sky News, marks a significant change for the leadership of the largest listed sporting goods group in the UK. The report added that Higginson, a retail veteran...

Member

People

Kering appoints Chanel and Mandarin Oriental executives to board for enhanced luxury strategy

As the global market becomes increasingly complex, François-Henri Pinault's group is restructuring its governance. Kering has appointed Marie-Hélène Chenut, formerly of Chanel, and Laurent Kleitman of Mandarin Oriental to its board, opting for industry expertise and operational excellence in ultra-luxury. The statement released on April 21,...

People

Marimekko textile design figure, Vuokko Nurmesniemi, dies at 96

Finnish artist and designer Vuokko Nurmesniemi, known for creating several iconic prints that became classics for the Marimekko brand, has died at the age of 96, her niece announced to AFP on Monday. Architect of textile renewal She joined the clothing, textiles and interior design company in 1953 and would lead the house's artistic direction...

People

Puma appoints former Adidas manager Laurent Fricker to head sportstyle division

German sportswear provider Puma SE is strengthening its team with a former executive from competitor Adidas. On Monday, the company announced the appointment of Laurent Fricker as vice president of the sportstyle business unit. Fricker will take up his new position on June 1 and will report directly to chief brand officer Maria Valdes. According...

People

Joan Burstein, pioneering founder of Browns, dies aged 100

British retail trailblazer Joan Burstein, co-founder of iconic London boutique Browns, who championed emerging talent throughout her career, has died at the age of 100, according to her family. Burstein, who was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours list for her services to the...

People

Debenhams Group names new chief technology officer

Debenhams Group, the British online retail group, has appointed Paul Aspden as chief technology officer to scale its marketplace technology and AI innovation to support its next phase of growth. Aspden, who joined the Debenhams Group in 2023, was most recently director of technology and has been “instrumental in developing and scaling the group’...

People

Laetitia Manfredi: New product and merchandising director at Jacquemus

French brand Jacquemus announced on Monday the appointment of Laetitia Manfredi as product and merchandising director, effective April 20, 2026. As the house stated in a press release, the appointment of Laetitia Manfredi marks a significant step in the continuous development and international expansion of Jacquemus. Following the inauguration...

Featured

People|ANALYSIS

The Bhavitha Mandava strategy: What Chanel's playbook means for your brand

In the summer of 2024, Bhavitha Mandava was on a Brooklyn subway platform finishing her master's degree at NYU and not looking for a modelling career. That was when a scout noticed her and, within two weeks, Matthieu Blazy – then at Bottega Veneta – had cast her in a show. Eighteen months later, she is Chanel's first Indian House Ambassador. The...

People

Trail running: Kiprun strengthens its innovation hub with athlete and engineer Mathieu Blanchard

Driven by the growing enthusiasm for trail running, the brand Kiprun, a sector expert from the Decathlon portfolio, aims to solidify its position among the major players on the international stage. To achieve this, the company announced on April 17 a three-year partnership with trail running athlete Mathieu Blanchard. The collaboration is...