Lara Stone and Kate Moss for Balenciaga fall 2015
Conglomerate Kering is strengthening its luxury division with the recent hire of Grita Loebsack, formerly of Unilever.
The conglomerate announced today that Ms. Loebsack will join Kering as the CEO of luxury -- couture and leather goods’ emerging brands, effective Sept. 14. Before joining Kering, Ms. Loebsack, a German national, worked as the international marketing director, global skin care at L’Oreal Paris and Unilever’s executive vice president of global skin care.
International appeal
Regarding Ms. Loebsack’s global experience, François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering, said in a statement, “I am delighted to welcome Grita Loebsack to this role. I am convinced that her strong, international background will allow us to further develop the brands under her supervision, while identifying and achieving value-creation synergies.”
Ms. Loebsack will report directly to Mr. Pinault and will be part of Kering’s executive committee. The CEOs of Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney and Tomas Maier will report to her.
Given her extensive international experience, Ms. Loebsack will advise the aforementioned brands on strategic and operational issues as well as in helping implement best practices and reinforce Kering’s culture of excellence across its luxury portfolio.
Although brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent will remain under Mr. Pinault’s direct supervision, Kering’s luxury expansion will respect the autonomy of its labels. The addition of Ms. Loebsack does not compromise the operational responsibilities of the aforementioned brands' respective CEOs.
Kering’s Gucci, for example, is currently undergoing changes as well.
Italy’s Gucci is the latest brand to collaborate with retailer Dover Street Market as a way to explore the brand’s new creative direction and identity.
The collaboration between Gucci and Dover Street Market will begin on July 25 with the opening of the fashion label’s dedicated shop-in-shop in Ginza, Tokyo. After the opening, Gucci will open shop-in-shops at Dover Street Market’s locations in London, New York and at its newest store in Beijing in the fall (see story).