Chloé Hires New CEO | BoF

Riccardo Bellini, the previous Diesel and Maison Margiela govt who has served as Chloé’s chief govt since late 2019, will exit the model on the finish of December, guardian firm Richemont stated in a press release Wednesday.

Laurent Malecaze, at the moment chief govt of Chloé proprietor Richemont’s British menswear model Dunhill, will take over the function. Malecaze beforehand labored at US retailer The Webster (as chief working officer, then CEO) earlier than becoming a member of Richemont to assist create its AZ Manufacturing facility enterprise with designer Alber Elbaz, who handed away in April 2021. He moved to Dunhill in 2022.

Bellini presided over Chloé throughout a interval of artistic and industrial turbulence because the model struggled to reinvigorate demand for its top-priced boho-chic propositions amid fierce competitors from logo-driven megabrands, whereas additionally navigating the pandemic.

He labored alongside Louis Vuitton-alum Natacha Ramsay-Levi for a yr earlier than bringing on Uruguay-born, US-based designer Gabriela Hearst. Alongside Hearst, Bellini sought to modernise and elevate the model, emphasising sustainability by means of initiatives like incomes B-Corp certification, whereas additionally pushing extra intricate, artisanal merchandise and phasing out the “See by Chloé” diffusion line.

Hearst left the brand in September, changed by Chemena Kamali, beforehand Saint Laurent’s design director for ladies’s ready-to-wear, who is anticipated to supercharge Chloé’s female, Parisienne codes.

Bellini’s determination to exit the model was made “in full collaboration with the group to permit a correct completion of his mission and a easy onboarding and begin of the brand new artistic director,” Richemont stated.

Whereas market sources stated Bellini is leaving for one more alternative, BoF couldn’t but affirm the place the chief is headed.