Some people dont believe it, but Anthony was the only one I met for the job.. Bellettini will succeed current chief executive Paul Deneve, who after two years at the head of the luxury fashion label is leaving for a position in the technology industry in California . Already, as soon as Vaccarello arrived, they had made the decision to always wait one year to mark down the current collection. Join Facebook to connect with Francesca Bellettini and others you may know. In 2013, she became President and Chief Executive Officer of Yves Saint Laurent. could be sentient says Microsofts chatbot feels like watching the Shark Tank investor Kevin OLeary says a new generation of employee has never worked in an officeand its totally I cant afford to sell because I dont want to lose that rate: 3% mortgage rates will loom large over the U.S. CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Over the last few years, this has hit high-end brands hard. But she does believe in learning from mistakes. Bellettini has increased control over distribution, rationalised the number of wholesale doors and put in place a controlled and even more selective product distribution by signing contracts of selected distribution in Europe, converting in concessions some doors with wholesale partners. Saint Laurent wanted to be a billion-dollar company. Why is Anthonys ready-to-wear always pictured in the magazines with our bags and shoes? Bellettini notes that tourists and local customers shop differently: tourists are in search of a better price but know what product they want, while locals are more selective. Life & Arts Saint Laurent CEO Francesca Bellettini on the making of a $1bn brand At the FT's Business of Luxury conference in San Francisco this week, the head of the French house with 26 per. cookies Now, we have arrived at a level of quality that is so high that we can use them for trimmings of some products. She had always loved fashion, but the job came with a 50 percent pay cut. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. Her father, whom she adored, was an accountant at a lumber company; her mother, a school administrator. When I met him, I was incredibly impressed that he was not at all afraid of the challenge. Bellettini started Bocconi University and completed her education with a year abroad at the University of Chicago where she was introduced to the world of investment banking. Mr. Vaccarello and Ms. Bellettini have since become soul mates. Bellettinis first major decision as CEO was to give Slimane more autonomy in deciding the labels creative direction a move that would firmly establish Saint Laurent as a refreshed brand, while also marking Bellettinis preference for allowing people the freedom to do what they do best. One of the few female CEOs leading a fashion brand, Francesca Bellettini started her career as an investment banker before switching industries. Well, it turned out they didnt know much. (if applicable) for The Wall Street Journal. You can still enjoy your subscription until the end of your current billing period. She is resolved to stay true to the brands DNA while pushing to capture new customers and enter new markets. ", Kering CFO Jean-Marc Duplaix said during the earnings call that Saint Laurent had much room to grow further to a higher degree of penetration in certain markets: Globally speaking, the growth is very well balanced as it has always been the case at Saint Laurent between like-for-like growth and space expansion. China is still an important region. Tall and slim, Ms. Bellettini is always clad head-to-toe in Saint Laurent, which she wears with the throwaway ease of any old thing. Terms & Conditions. He asked me did I want to be C.E.O. When asked about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted YSL, Bellettini mentioned on a personal level she feels her team is working around the clock, yet are lacking the energy of social interaction due to various restrictions including a 6PM curfew. The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world. I said, I met Mr. Bertelli and he offered me the job of my life, and I can leave banking, she recalled. But when BoF founder and editor-in-chief Imran Amed asked Bellettini what she . This is why we are less vocal. The chief executive officer of Saint Laurent last year steered the brand's revenues past the barrier of one billion euros, or $1.11 billion at . Any changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel. PARIS The Vogue Paris Fashion Festival gathered industry voices from heritage brands to startups; traditional retail to digital; casting agents to supermodels. Email us at feedback@voguebusiness.com. From 2008 to 2013, she worked at Bottega Veneta, eventually as worldwide merchandising and communications director. Francesca Bellettini was appointed president andchief executiveof Saint Laurent in July 2013. Saint Laurent Paris is consistent throughout, from manufacturing to customer service, with every employee at every level aware of the brand identity and carrying on their jobs with a full understanding of the story they are telling.. Not long after the name change, the company continued its transformation by appointing Bellettini as its new CEO, replacing Paul Deneuve, who changed industries to work under Apple CEO Tim Cook. Some mourned the YSL moniker, while others embraced the freshness of the new name and new look. In fact, the Parisian fashion house is doing so well it has become the fastest growing major brand in the competitive luxury fashion space. When she saw an article of clothing she really liked, she could not hold herself from saying I really liked that, without thinking about what her comments impact could be. Alex Murdaughs Trial Lasted Six Weeks. Bellettini was non-hesitant to her reply: That is easy, my team. You could feel the powerful connection Bellettini shares with her team; We work a lot and we also have a lot of fun, she said noting how important this is when working endless hours together. There are 12 older and 7 younger executives at Kering SA. In the summer of 2013, Slimane announced his bold decision to rename a fashion house that had been a fixture of the luxury scene for over half a century. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, with many interpreting the change as a sign of disrespect to the companys founder and namesake. Even though some opportunities can appear to be boring or insignificant on the surface level, there is always some sort of adventure to be found in the work. In a second, I said, Yes! Then I said, You know I dont speak French, right? and he said, I know that. Do whatever you like. She took the job. In 2019 she was awarded the French Knight of the Legion of Honour, the highest possible distinction for a civilian in the country. When describing why she chose Goldman Sachs International over other companies, she said that the company felt like a family. By Laure Guilbault November 15, 2021 Courtesy of Saint Laurent Miller, who was born in Guyana, says,"I believe that level of abuse means I am doing something right for investors.". Subhadra Dravida founded Transcell Biologics, a stem cell technology company, in 2009. Bellettini says: Anthony always created a very compelling and complete collection and the show in March 2020, featuring colored tailoring jackets and latex pants, gave visibility to its offer variety. My Lover, My Son: Dirigido por John Newland. He and Ms. Bellettini speak to each other in English but sometimes send text messages in Italian. Later, at the investment bank Deutsche Morgan Grenfell in London, she helped pitched deals to luxury fashion houses, and in the process met Patrizio Bertelli, chief executive of the Prada Group. Customer Service. As her son is somehow part of her dead lover, she falls in love with him and tries to seduce him, but he has a girlfriend named Julie. And you have to act as if youre already there., https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/style/francesca-bellettini-yves-saint-laurent-paris.html. Although the virtual platform did not allow us to see the audience members, you could tell by Rosenkranz and Siegals faces that they were thoroughly moved by Bellettinis words. She doesnt use mascara or foundation. Flexibility has been another. Gucci became the first brand to go public, attracting business administrators to the sector. Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. You can unsubscribe at any time. Speaking of Gen Z, she says the key is to be authentic. It was this confidence that led her to choose Mr. Vaccarello, 38, to replace Mr. Slimane, the designer who turned around the struggling Saint Laurent while changing the name of its ready-to-wear line, its store dcor, ad campaigns and every product. Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Putin casts war as battle for nation's survival, India FM Jaishankar says Soros dangerous, debate needed on democracy, Buffett's Berkshire profit falls on investments, currencies, Bill Gates buys Heineken stake, despite saying he's 'not a big beer drinker', Elon Musk recruits team to develop OpenAI rival - The Information, Hedge fund manager Chris Hohn demands Airbus drop Atos deal - letter, Elon Musk's challenge: Stay ahead of the competition, ISS urges Apple shareholders to vote for CEO Tim Cook, other execs' pay packages, Elon Musk accuses media of racism after newspapers drop 'Dilbert' cartoon, French media billionaire Niel fails with bid for TNT television frequence - Arcom. In his new novel, Tracy Flick Cant Win, author Tom Perrotta asks: Who is Tracy Flick now? It is only then can we find long-term joy and success. The brands glamorous, sleek aesthetic puts the house in a better position than brands betting on short term fashion trends in a pandemic when consumers seek investment pieces, says Mario Ortelli, managing director of Ortelli & Co. In a world of luxury where theres a shift towards more street, more pop culture, more logos and a very instant reading of our time, Saint Laurent remains faithful to its aesthetic and consistent in its vocabulary, says Institut Franais de la Mode professor Benjamin Simmenauer. Its one thing to have a strong brand and brand messaging, but that is lost within itself if it isnt carried throughout every level of the business, McInnes explained. One featured a model in a fur jacket and fishnet tights reclining with her legs spread wide open; the other, a model in a leotard and roller-skate stilettos bending over a stool. To win local customers, Saint Laurent invested in sales staff training. Bellettini holds a degree from Bocconi University in Milan and began her career as an investment banker in London, working for Goldman Sachs, Compass Partners and others. And they certainly didnt know her. Can New Bottega Balance Hype, Heritage and Rapid Growth. Saint Laurent wanted to be a billion-dollar company. Getty. After graduating from high school, Bellettini had two plans. For me, this is a balance between creativity, merchandising and business, added Bellettini. He was Ms. Bellettinis only candidate. Sign up to our newsletter for a truly global perspective on the fashion industry. Chief Executive Officer, Yves Saint Laurent at Kering - View - Kering org chart. You have to know where you want to go, she said. This is why we invested a lot in training. Already a member? These days, only 19 percent of YSL sales come from ready-to-wear, 59 percent from leather goods, 14 percent from shoes and the rest from miscellaneous items like eyewear. This documentary-style series follows investigative journalists as they uncover the truth. When he bought himself a honey-colored bulldog puppy at Christmas, he bought one in black for her. Enduring look She climbed the ladder at Kering starting in 2003, when she joined as strategic planning director and associate worldwide merchandising director of Gucci. of Saint Laurent, she was the first name on my list, Mr. Pinault said. During tumultuous economic periods, purse strings are naturally tightened and non-essential purchases are forgone, including luxuries. It got everyone talking about Saint Laurent again, and also increased brand awareness with a younger audience those future loyal customers the key to brand longevity., As well as it eventually turned out for the brand, at the time few could have predicted the success Saint Laurent would enjoy as a result of the overhaul. Francesca Bellettini is also on the board of Technogym SpA, Yves Saint Laurent UK Ltd. and Ferrari NV. Despite this, Bellettini stated that they are stronger than ever as a brand. Slimane leaves Saint Laurent, and Anthony Vaccarello is named. This mistake turned into an important lesson, contributing to Bellettinis success in balancing the creative and business parts of the fashion brands she worked with based on mutual trust and respect.