On September 10, Francesco Trapani, one of the leading figures in the Italian luxury industry, passed away at his home in Rome after an illness. He was 68.
Transforming Bvlgari into a Global Maison
Trapani was the great-grandson of Bvlgari founder Sotirios Voulgaris, and in 1984, at the age of 27, he became chief executive officer of the company. For the next three decades, he steered the brand, expanding its business beyond jewelry into watches, fragrances, leather goods, and hospitality. In 1995, he took Bvlgari public on the Milan Stock Exchange. Under his leadership, sales grew from €25 million in 1984 to €1.5 billion in 2011, with the company expanding from 80 employees to 4,000 and establishing itself as a true international luxury brand.
In 2011, Bvlgari was acquired by LVMH in a deal valued at €4.3 billion. Following the acquisition, Trapani served as president of LVMH’s watches and jewelry division until 2014, overseeing the integration of Bvlgari into the French group. He later became a strategic adviser to Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, focusing on jewelry, and remained on the board of directors until 2016.
After stepping down from Bvlgari, Trapani became chairman of the Italian private equity firm Clessidra, where he oversaw the acquisition of Roberto Cavalli. He also served on the board of Tiffany & Co. In recent years, he was the main shareholder and chairman of private equity firm VAM Investments. In 2020, he launched Gruppo Florence, Italy’s first integrated production hub dedicated to companies serving leading luxury brands. Today, the group encompasses around 30 workshops and employs 3,200 artisans, supplying more than five million products annually to over 70 international brands.
Bvlgari issued an official statement: “It is with profound sadness that Bvlgari mourn the passing of Francesco Trapani, a visionary leader and a key figure in the modern history of our maison.”
The company concluded by expressing “deep gratitude for his extraordinary contributions, his unwavering dedication, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind,” adding that his spirit and passion will continue to inspire.
Trapani is survived by his four children: Rebecca, Agostino, Vittoria, and Allegra.
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