Lanvin has poached rival luxury fashion brand Sandro’s boss Jean-Phillipe Hecquet as its new chief executive, as its new owners continue a management overhaul.
The French fashion house, which trades from various concessions and a physical store on Saville Row in the UK, was purchased by China’s Fosun earlier this year.
Since then it has undergone major management changes, and following Hecquet’s appointment will prioritise its search for a new creative director.
Hecquet will replace interim chief executive and chair of Fosun Fashion Group Joan Cheng, and joins from a four year stint leading Sandro where he is understood to have established the brand with 600 stores in 43 countries worldwide.
Prior to his role at Sandro, Hecquet held various roles at luxury conglomerate Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) where he spent 14 years.
Though Lanvin is France’s longest surviving luxury fashion house, it has struggled since its star designer Alber Elbaz was let go in 2015.
Fosun purchased the ailing brand in February and have hailed Hecquet’s appointment as a “powerful and exciting moment, signalling the beginning of a new chapter.”
“Fashion is a continuous challenge, and I will bring to Lanvin my retail and fashion experience as well as my winning spirit, my passion, and a lot of ambition,” Hecquet said.
“I’m convinced that with a high-performing team and the strong support of Fosun Fashion Group, we will make Lanvin beat again in the hearts of our customers.”
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