On November 18, luxury giant Kering announced the appointment of Cédric Charbit as the new CEO of Saint Laurent and Gianfranco Gianangeli as the new CEO of Balenciaga, effective January 2, 2025. Both will report to Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s Deputy CEO in charge of brand development. With this change, Bellettini will now fully focus on the development of Kering’s Fashion, Leather Goods, and Jewelry Houses.
Cédric Charbit began his career at Printemps in 2001, where he advanced to become General Merchandising Manager. In 2009, he was appointed Deputy CEO of Pucci. He joined Saint Laurent in 2012 and successfully led Balenciaga as its CEO from 2016, overseeing a period of brand transformation and growth. As he returns to Saint Laurent as CEO, Charbit is tasked with leveraging his extensive experience and leadership to further strengthen the brand’s heritage and identity.
Gianfranco Gianangeli, on the other hand, is a highly regarded executive with vast experience across prestigious Italian and French luxury houses. With a strong focus on merchandising and retail, he started his career at Bottega Veneta in 2006 and later held positions at Prada and Givenchy. In 2020, he became CEO of Maison Margiela. Most recently, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at Saint Laurent. Now, as the new CEO of Balenciaga, Gianangeli will aim to further elevate the brand’s recognition and market presence globally.
Francesca Bellettini commented on their appointments, stating: “With his profound understanding of the House and of its unique identity, Cédric is exceptionally prepared to drive the continued growth and success of Saint Laurent. Equally, I am confident that Gianfranco is the ideal leader to succeed Cédric as CEO of Balenciaga. Gianfranco’s extensive expertise and vision make him the perfect choice to further elevate the House and build on its remarkable achievements. Having had the privilege of knowing and working closely with both Cédric and Gianfranco for many years, I have no doubts they are the best choices to take the helm of Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.”
Kering’s Chairman and CEO, François-Henri Pinault, added: “These evolutions further reinforce our organization. With Francesca Bellettini fully dedicated to her role as Kering Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development, including the Jewelry Houses, and Jean-Marc Duplaix – whose role, as Kering Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, is to ensure that all corporate departments work together efficiently and support all brands to achieve Kering’s strategic goals – we have the right leadership team in place to address current industry challenges and set the pace for long-term growth.”
The leadership transitions at Saint Laurent and Balenciaga mark a pivotal moment for Kering’s brand portfolio. With two seasoned leaders at the helm, these iconic houses are set to embark on their next phase of growth and innovation.