Delphine Arnault has just been promoted to lead the Christian Dior brand. Delphine is the son of the world’s richest man, Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), which also oversees the luxury brand. Delphine herself has been working in the family business for 22 years.
Before being appointed as the boss of Dior, Delphine Arnault worked 22 years in her father’s company. Previously he was executive vice president for Louis Vuitton. The 47-year-old woman also served as deputy managing director of Dior from 2001 to 2013.
Delphine was one of Bernard Arnault’s five children who took over the family business. The mother of two is the most involved in fashion matters compared to her siblings. Besides Delphine, Frederic Bernault was assigned as CEO of Tag Heuert and Alexandre Bernault as vice president of Tiffany & Co.
Delphine Arnault’s father has recently been in the spotlight for sending his children to become bosses of the brands under LMVH. “LVMH succession planning has been a cornerstone of (success) brands for the last 20 years so this step is very significant,” said analyst Thomas Chauvet.
Delphine’s new role is said to take place officially in February with the appointment of Arnault’s eldest son, Antoine, to head the family group. Delphine herself started her career as a consultant at the McKinsey firm. In 2000, he moved to work for designer John Galliano who established his career in the world of fashion.
The youngest person and first woman on the executive committee of LVMH’s board of directors, it seems she is poised to continue her father’s business. He has a background in economics and business education from the London School of Economics (LSE) and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord (EDHEC Business School).
Not much is known about Delphine Arnault’s personal life. Delphine is known to have been married to an Italian businessman, Alessandro Vallarino Gancia from 2005 to 2010. Now he is said to have a relationship with French businessman Xavier Niel and has two children.
(ami/ami)
