Kering and Gucci have officially announced the appointment of Demna as the House’s new Artistic Director, set to take the helm in early July 2025. Known for his visionary approach and disruptive take on fashion, Demna has redefined modern luxury through his tenure at Balenciaga, where he has served as Artistic Director since 2015. His influence on contemporary culture and his ability to merge heritage with innovation have solidified his reputation as one of the most influential creatives in the industry today.   François-Henri Pinault, Chairman & CEO of Kering, acknowledged Demna’s impact, stating: “Demna's contribution to the industry, to Balenciaga, and to the Group's success has been tremendous. His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs. As I thank him for everything he has accomplished over the past 10 years, I look forward to seeing him shape Gucci’s new artistic direction.”   Francesca Bellettini, Kering Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development, echoed this sentiment: “Demna’s profound understanding of contemporary culture, coupled with his extensive experience in conceiving visionary projects, has established him as one of the most influential and accomplished creatives of his generation. His appointment as Artistic Director is the perfect catalyst to reignite Gucci’s creative energy. I look forward to the collaboration of Demna and Stefano as they lead Gucci into a new era of success.”   Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, expressed his enthusiasm for the new chapter, saying: “I have always admired Demna's creative approach, which is both unique and powerful. His ability to honor the iconic legacy of a brand while embracing a modern sensibility is extraordinary. With Gucci’s strengthened foundations as a springboard, Demna will lead the House towards renewed fashion authority and enduring cultural relevance.”   For Demna, this appointment marks a defining moment in his career. Reflecting on his new role, he shared: “I am truly excited to join the Gucci family. It is an honor to contribute to a House that I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing together with Stefano and the whole team a new chapter of Gucci's amazing story.”   With this appointment, Gucci signals a fresh creative direction, blending its iconic heritage with Demna’s boundary-pushing vision. As the luxury industry eagerly anticipates his debut collection, all eyes will be on how he reshapes the House’s legacy for a new generation.

Page Industries has announced the appointment of Karthik Yathindra as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2025. With a rich experience spanning over nine years within the company, Yathindra has been a pivotal figure in driving strategic initiatives and fostering growth across key business verticals.   Throughout his tenure at Page Industries, Yathindra has held leadership roles encompassing sales, retail, product management, marketing, and supply chain. His deep understanding of the company's operations and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in strengthening its market position and expanding its consumer base.   In his new role as CEO, Yathindra will spearhead the company’s strategic vision, focusing on innovation, operational excellence, and delivering value to consumers, partners, and stakeholders. His leadership aims to enhance Page Industries’ legacy as a trusted name in the innerwear and athleisure segments.   Sharing his excitement about this new chapter, Karthik Yathindra remarked, "It is a privilege to lead Page Industries and work with a talented team to continue driving innovation and success. I am committed to building on our strong foundation and delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders."   Page Industries is confident that Yathindra appointment will further solidify its leadership in the industry and position the company for sustained growth in the years to come.

Nykaa, a leading fashion eCommerce platform, has announced the appointment of Abhijeet Dabas as Executive Vice President and Business Head - Fashion eCommerce. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Abhijeet brings extensive experience from his strategic roles at McKinsey & Company and leadership positions at prominent tech and e-commerce firms, including Cars24, Swiggy, Myntra, and Lazada.   In his new role, Abhijeet will lead Nykaa Fashion’s online growth strategy, drive global expansion, and build strategic partnerships, including current alliances with major international retailers such as Foot Locker and REVOLVE. His expertise is expected to further Nykaa’s ambition of strengthening its position in the fashion e-commerce sector.

Sports company PUMA has appointed Indrajeet Sen (38) as Senior Vice President PUMA Group Sourcing, taking over the operational responsibilities of the Chief Sourcing Officer role. PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer Anne-Laure Descours has decided not to extend her board contract and will support the company as an external advisor in the field of sustainability.   In his new position, Indy will oversee the global sourcing and development of footwear, apparel, and accessories, as well as operations and sustainability, reporting directly to PUMA Chief Product Officer Maria Valdes. He will be based in Xiamen, China. Indy has been with PUMA since 2016, most recently working as Vice President of Sourcing and Development Footwear. Before joining PUMA, he worked as Global Quality Manager for German footwear retailer Deichmann.   “Indy has been instrumental to our success in Footwear,” said Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA. “He has excelled in various key roles such as adeptly managing the challenges of the COVID pandemic, diversifying our supply chain, and driving exceptional operational efficiency. Indy’s forward-thinking approach, people-first mindset, and relentless dedication of continuously challenging the status quo make him the ideal leader to spearhead our next phase of growth. I would like to thank Anne-Laure for her outstanding contributions she has made to PUMA’s business over the past years, especially when it comes to successfully establishing and executing PUMA’s sustainability strategy, which earned PUMA international recognition and awards in this space. I look forward to continuing to work with her as our external advisor in the field of sustainability.”   Anne-Laure Descours has decided after more than 12 years with PUMA that she will not extend her services as a Board Member of PUMA SE. After more than 35 years in the industry, she intends to dedicate more time to her personal interests and continue her professional focus in the fields of sustainability. In this capacity, she will continue to support PUMA as external advisor and sustainability consultant to ensure continuity and a seamless transition.   With Anne-Laure’s departure at the end of 2024, the number of members of the management board will be reduced from four to three. The board will consist of Arne Freundt, CEO, Hubert Hinterseher, Chief Financial Officer and Maria Valdes, Chief Product Officer. 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announced the appointment of Akhil Shrivastava as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 1, 2024. He succeeds Tracey T. Travis, who will retire on June 30, 2025.   Shrivastava, with over 25 years of financial and leadership experience, joined ELC in 2015 and has held several senior roles, most recently as Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller. He previously spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble. Shrivastava holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Control from Delhi University and is a graduate of Engineering College in Rewa, India.   In his new role, Shrivastava will oversee Global Finance, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, and New Business Development.

26-06-2024: Sports company PUMA has appointed Erik Janshen (46) to lead its worldwide Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business, which includes PUMA’s owned and operated stores, the website puma.com and several online marketplaces.   Erik, a German national, has more than 10 years of experience in leadership positions in digital sales and the DTC business, most recently as the SVP of Digital Sales for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein at PVH Corp.   Improving the quality of its distribution is one of PUMA’s strategic priorities and seamlessly connecting consumers with the company’s products and initiatives both online and offline is an important aspect of this.   “We are incredibly fortunate to have Erik join the PUMAFamily, and I am confident that his leadership will drive us towards our ambitious goals to elevate our DTC consumer experience to drive further brand heat,” said PUMA CEO Arne Freundt. “His innovative approach and passion for consumer-centric strategies will undoubtedly be an asset for our DTC business.”   Erik replaces Karthik Balagopalan, who was appointed as Managing Director of PUMA India last year and has been leading PUMA’s DTC business on an interim basis since then.

Deepika Deepti has been appointed as the Head of Marketing at Bata India, bringing over two decades of invaluable experience in the footwear industry. With a proven track record of success in marketing and business roles at leading footwear brands, Deepti is known for her innovative strategies and keen understanding of consumer behavior.   Prior to joining Bata India, Deepti held the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing at Metro Brands, where she played a pivotal role in driving brand growth and market expansion. Her contributions to introducing sneaker culture in India through her roles at adidas and CAMP SMA have been widely recognized.   In her new role at Bata India, Deepti is poised to lead the marketing efforts of the iconic brand known for its trust and quality. She is eager to leverage her expertise to bring unique experiences to Bata’s extensive portfolio of brands and further strengthen the company's position in the market.   With a focus on innovation and adapting to evolving consumer preferences, Deepti's appointment underscores Bata India's commitment to driving growth and building strong brand equity. Her visionary leadership and strategic insights are expected to propel the brand towards new heights of success in the dynamic footwear industry.

FSN E-Commerce Ventures, popularly known as Nykaa, has announced the appointment of Santosh Desai as an independent director on its Board, effective July 15, 2024, for a term of three years, subject to shareholder approval.   Santosh Desai brings a rich background in brand strategy and advertising, having served as the CEO of Future Brands for nearly 17 years. His extensive experience includes a significant tenure as the president of McCann, where he spent over two decades building key brands for various local and multinational organizations.   In addition to his new role at Nykaa, Desai serves on the boards of Think9 Consumer Technologies, Dainik Jagran Group, and Breakthrough. He is also a member of the Governing Councils of Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad, and Praxis Business School, Kolkata. His past board memberships include ING Vysya Bank and OXFAM India, highlighting his vast expertise and leadership in the industry.   Nykaa’s leadership believes that Desai’s strategic insight and deep understanding of the relationship between culture and brands will be invaluable. His appointment is expected to provide significant guidance in strengthening Nykaa’s brand equity and supporting the company’s vision for sustained global success.

L’Oreal India announces the appointment of Raagjeet Garg as Director – consumer products division (CPD). He will take over from Pankaj Sharma, who has been elevated to Managing Director- consumer products division, L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand.   In his new role, Raagjeet will be responsible for the accelerated growth of L’Oreal India CPD which houses L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York, and NYX Professional Makeup. He will lead the company’s initiatives on market growth strategies such as developing innovative product offerings, ensuring effective marketing and distribution, delivering on both valorisation and democratisation missions.   Raagjeet has over twenty years of experience in personal care and beauty. He joined L’Oreal in May 2009, and successfully launched Garnier Men in India. Subsequently, went on to lead L’Oreal Paris in India where he developed the Ecommerce business for the brand, ensuring a double-digit growth through his tenure. Raagjeet had a stint with L’Oreal Australia in 2019 as the L’Oreal Paris general manager and then moved to L’Oreal Vietnam as the business head - consumer products division.