In a significant reorganisation at the opulent fashion business, Delphine Arnault, the daughter of French billionaire Bernard Arnault, has been appointed by her father to lead Dior, the second-largest brand in his LVMH luxury empire. According to a statement from LVMH, she will take over as CEO of the Dior fashion and fragrance firm. Moreover, the selection of Delphine as director of Christian Dior Couture, according to the 73-year-old, who defeated Elon Musk to become the wealthiest man in the world, is the “continuation of a career of excellence in fashion and leather products.”
Facts about Delphine Arnault:
- Delphine Arnault has been Louis Vuitton’s executive Vice President since 2013, overseeing the brand’s product activities.
- From 2001 to 2013, she was deputy managing director at Christian Dior Couture.
- A statement from Delphine Arnault said that Louis Vuitton ‘flew from record to record’ under her direction and that Arnault’s “sharp eye and incomparable experience will prove decisive in the continued development of Christian Dior’.
- It is expected that she will succeed Pietro Beccari as Louis Vuitton’s new head of sales, replacing Michael Burke.
- For two years, Delphine Arnault worked as a consultant at McKinsey, an international strategy consultancy. In addition, she gained hands-on fashion industry experience by joining the company of designer John Galliano in 2000.
- In addition to serving on the LVMH Board of Directors, she is a member of its Executive Committee.
- A graduate of Lille’s EDHEC Business School and London’s School of Economics, the fashion powerhouse graduated from both schools.
- She is one of the five children of Bernard Arnault. She is also the sister of Antoine Dior SE, who was named CEO of Christian Dior SE, which controls LVMH, in December. From Bernard Arnault’s first marriage, the siblings are his daughters.
- From her father’s second marriage, she has three step-siblings. All three of them work across LVMH brands – Alexandre, Frédéric and Jean.
- She is married to Italian wine heir Alessandro Vallarino Gancia. Furthermore, Forbes called their 2005 wedding “the wedding of the year” at Bazas Cathedral in Gironde, France. However, 5000 white roses were reportedly used for the reception.
Congratulating his daughter Delphine Arnault, Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man said that, “Delphine’s keen senses and best experience will be powerful assets in navigating the ongoing expansion of Christian Dior.”
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