NEW RECRUIT: Celine has appointed Emilie Leblanc its new global communications director, effective Monday. She reports to Séverine Merle, chief executive officer of Celine, and joins the company’s executive committee. Leblanc joins the fashion house, controlled by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, from Saint Laurent, where she was most recently associate chief marketing officer. Leblanc … Read more
MIDDLE EAST CALLING: More than a year since opening in New York City, Clare Goodwin Consultancy is now expanding into the Middle East. The beauty communications consultancy agency is teaming up with Dubai-based beauty communications agency, Bfore to support its brands such as Augustinus Bader and Slip in the market and introduce Glossier to the … Read more
CHECKING IN: In another demonstration of fashion and hospitality being close cousins, luxury hotel operator Jumeirah has recruited Julien Soyez as its new vice president of communications. Soyez was most recently worldwide press director at Gucci in Milan. The Frenchman has held top communications and marketing roles for a host of marquee brands, including Cartier, … Read more
TOGETHER AGAIN: Gabriela Hearst has hired Thomas Klein as vice president, communications, a new role at her fashion house. He starts Thursday, reporting to Hearst and also working in close collaboration with Thierry Colin, chief executive officer of the American brand, synonymous with sustainable luxury. Klein already worked with Hearst in his previous role as … Read more
VICE SQUAD: Louis Vuitton has promoted two seasoned executives in its image and communications department, WWD has learned. According to sources, Bianca Manley has been named vice president, women’s communications, and Cécile Durieux has been appointed vice president, men’s and corporate communications. Both women start their new roles officially on May 1 and report to … Read more
FIT FOR MCQUEEN: As part of its “transformation strategy” under new designer Seán McGirr, Alexander McQueen has named Gaelle Collet its chief brand and communications officer, WWD has learned. She starts on May 15 and reports to Gianfilippo Testa, president and chief executive officer of the London-based fashion house. Previously, Collet spent five years at … Read more
Louis Vuitton has recruited the president of Amsterdam advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy as its new executive vice president of image and communications. Blake Harrop starts at Vuitton in Paris on May 2, joins the management committee and reports to Pietro Beccari, chairman and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton, according to an internal announcement … Read more
Benjamin Cercio, Gucci‘s senior vice president of global communications, is leaving the company, WWD has learned. An internal announcement seen by WWD said the executive has decided to leave “to pursue other career opportunities.” His next move could not immediately be learned. Cercio joined Gucci in November 2022 as global communications director after a long … Read more
NEW HORIZONS: Valérie Duport, chief communications and image officer at Kering, is leaving the French luxury group effective Friday, WWD has learned. The company confirmed that Duport “has taken the decision to pursue other projects outside Kering.” It did not elaborate, and Duport could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Duport joined Kering in … Read more
