Jean-Philippe Hecquet Appointed Lanvin’s CEO

PARIS — In February 2018, DM Fashion Book reported that Chinese conglomerate Fosun International has acquired a majority stake in struggling French fashion house Lanvin (see it here). A month later (March 2018), we announced that artistic director Olivier Lapidus has exited the company. At the time, Lanvin was also parting ways with general manager Nicole Druz (see it here).

In the latest news, surrounding the struggling French house, Jean-Philippe Hecquet was just appointed chief executive officer, according to the house.

Joann Cheng, chairwoman of Fosun Fashion Group and Lanvin, said Hecquet’s “extensive international experience in the luxury fashion industry, his strong entrepreneurship and his proven managerial skills” will be major assets in developing and accelerating Lanvin’s business.

Hecquet said Lanvin’s rich heritage and unique DNA, “gives us a beautiful opportunity to breathe new life into the oldest and perhaps most revered of the French fashion houses.”

“Fashion is a continuous challenge,” he added. “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.”

The executive also boasts more than 14 years of experience in various roles at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. That includes two years as international retail director for Tag Heuer.

Before that, he spent eight years at Louis Vuitton, acting as country head in Canada, vice president of operations in North America, logistics and supply chain manager in Hawaii, and category manager in watches and jewelry in Paris.

His résumé also includes stints at Mercedes-Benz France and online car sales start-up Latitudes-Diffusion.com.

Lanvin is France‘s oldest fashion house, and the brand suffered a sales slump ever since Alber Elbaz was shockingly fired in 2015, after 14 years at the house (see it here). His successor was Bouchra Jarrar (see it here). After 15 months and two collections, Jarrar left the troubled house (see it here).

Last July 2017, it was announced that French designer Olivier Lapidus was named Lanvin‘s new artistic director, replacing Jarrar (see it here). Lapidus debuted his first, logo-heavy collection for Spring 2018, but it received less-than-stellar reviews.

Photos Credit: Luca Tombolini / Indigital.tv & Kim Weston Arnold / Indigital.tv