On January 20, it was announced that Bartolomeo Rongone, who has served as CEO of Bottega Veneta for approximately six years, will step down from the brand on March 31 and assume the role of CEO at Moncler Group on April 1.
With this appointment, Remo Ruffini, who has served as chairman and CEO of Moncler, will transition to the role of executive chairman. He will continue to maintain responsibility for creative direction while playing a primary role in governance and defining the group’s strategic direction.
Rongone’s Legacy at Bottega Veneta
Rongone joined Bottega Veneta as CEO in September 2019, succeeding Claus-Dietrich Lahrs. The Italian executive began his career as a market analyst in the luxury sector before joining Fendi in 2001. He became head of business intelligence before taking on senior roles in supply chain, merchandise planning, and client relationship management. He joined Kering in 2012, serving as COO at Saint Laurent, where he oversaw product divisions and global retail operations.
During his tenure at Bottega Veneta, Rongone pursued a management approach centered on the brand’s core values of handcraftsmanship and artisanship, focused on maintaining and strengthening long-term brand value. Rather than pursuing short-term expansion, his approach was characterized by clearly defining the brand’s positioning through management of distribution, pricing, and customer experience.
In 2022, he introduced the “Certificate of Craft,” a lifetime warranty program offering unlimited repair and refresh services for iconic bags. This initiative, premised on long-term product use, was positioned as a clear demonstration of the brand’s commitment to quality.
Additionally, he streamlined wholesale channels and eliminated markdowns, strengthening price and distribution control to maintain brand exclusivity and consistency. In 2024, he launched a high-end fragrance line, expanding Bottega Veneta’s world into new categories.
There were also notable changes in real estate and location strategy. In Milan, offices were relocated to Palazzo San Fedele, a 19th-century historical building near the Duomo Cathedral. In Venice, the 15th-century Palazzo van Axel was restored and utilized as a venue for exhibitions and exclusive events, leveraging the brand’s physical spaces for cultural expression.
During his tenure, he also focused on developing educational programs for artisan training and building ongoing relationships with the art and culture sectors. These initiatives reflected a management philosophy that prioritized long-term foundation-building over short-term visibility.
Luca de Meo, CEO of Kering, Bottega Veneta’s parent company, stated: “I would like to thank Leo Rongone for his leadership and for the significant contribution he has made to Bottega Veneta over the past six years. During his tenure, he achieved important milestones with his team and supported the continued development of the House. I wish him every success in his future professional endeavors.” A successor is expected to be announced in the near future.
Rongone commented on his new role: “It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that I take on this new role. I will work with commitment and passion alongside Remo and the entire management team to lead the company and its brands towards new achievements, fully respecting the authentic values that have defined their identity and strength over the years.”
Ruffini also expressed his expectations: “I will work together with Leo, with whom I immediately felt a strong alignment of values and vision, to make the organization even stronger, more agile, and ready to seize new opportunities. With Leo by my side, I will continue to lead the strategic vision, ensuring consistency and continuity, confident that his knowledge of the luxury world and customer-centric approach will make a decisive contribution to our future journey.”
Organizational Restructuring in a Changing Luxury Landscape
This appointment is part of a broader organizational restructuring at Moncler Group. It was also announced that Roberto Eggs will step down as chief business and global market officer on March 1, continuing his involvement as a member of the board of directors.
Eggs has been instrumental in driving the company’s international expansion and strengthening its distribution network since joining in 2015. Ruffini stated: “I would like to thank Roberto for his great contribution over more than 10 years to the development of our Group and to the creation of a solid retail culture, which today relies on a strong and competent team. I am very pleased that Roberto will continue to be part of our board of directors, where his experience and perspective will remain a valuable asset for Moncler.”
Focus on the U.S. Market and the Next Phase
Under Ruffini, who acquired the brand in 2003 and took it public in 2013, Moncler has grown from its roots in French ski culture. The group welcomed Stone Island in 2021 and is now advancing toward its next growth stage.
Moncler is scheduled to unveil its fall 2026 collection in Aspen on January 31, signaling a clear focus on the U.S. market for the year ahead.
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