LVMH Changes Top Management of Fashion Group: Michael Burke Becomes President and CEO

Pino Gagliardi
·3-min read

The French luxury giant LVMH has announced the appointment of Michael Burke as president and CEO of LVMH’s Fashion Group, overseeing all of the conglomerate’s fashion houses: Celine, Givenchy, Kenzo, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Patou, Emilio Pucci and Christian Dior. Burke succeeds Sidney Toledano, who is now appointed personal advisor to CEO Bernard Arnault and leaves the group’s executive committee. The changes will take effect Feb. 1, 2024.

“Sidney Toledano is an exceptional leader who has been at my side for many years, first at Dior and then at LVMH Fashion Group,” Arnault said. “During more than 30 years of a close and beneficial collaboration, he has identified and fostered many creative talents who are now among the world’s most recognized designers. With his unique strategic vision, he has played a key role in making Dior one of the world’s most prestigious maisons. As head of LVMH fashion group, his creative leadership has contributed to the spectacular growth of our fashion houses, which have benefited from his deep expertise to strengthen their desirability.”

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Arnault then confirmed that Toledano will remain “very involved” as his advisor. “He still has much to offer.”

Toledano recalled in a statement that when he joined Dior and led the brand for 20 years, Arnault gave him an unparalleled chance to be part of the company with a long-term vision and an entrepreneurial venture with a family at its base. “My time in the LVMH Group was the experience that stimulated and enriched me the most in my entire career. Partly because I was surrounded by talented designers, exceptional artisans, and teams with a remarkable dedication to their craft,” Toledano said. “I share with Bernard Arnault a passion for innovation, creativity, excellence and savoir-faire, and it is thanks to him, to his bold vision, that today the LVMH Group is a global leader.”

Toledano went on to call his successor Burke an exceptionally experienced, universally recognized manager with great energy. He reiterated that he will not disappear from the scene, while also remaining involved in the fashion industry through the IFM (Institut Français de la Mode) and the executive committee of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

Arnault also commented on the appointment of the group’s new chairman, “After guiding Louis Vuitton to new levels of success, I am delighted to see Michael Burke at the head of the fashion group. He has been at my side since before the creation of LVMH, and always been a key player in the group’s success, especially through his remarkable discernment and finesse at the helm of Bulgari, Fendi and Louis Vuitton. These fashion houses have continued to grow and evolve while remaining true to their heritage and unique savoir-faire.”

Arnault, the luxury giant’s founder, stressed under Burke’s 10-year leadership at Louis Vuitton, the brand has become the largest and most prestigious fashion house in the world, placing culture at the center of its creative vision and development. “His vast experience and passion for craftsmanship and creativity are invaluable assets to pursue and further accelerate the dynamic growth of other fashion houses,” he concluded.

“I am proud and honored by Bernard Arnault’s trust in me after 40 years of collaboration,” said Burke. “This is an exciting challenge. Like him and like Sidney Toledano himself, I am a great believer in long-term vision, craftsmanship, creativity and excellence. All basic ingredients in the recipe that I want to apply to the teams and the brands, whose desirability I intend to elevate by achieving new record results. Sidney and I have worked together and are also friends, having shared over 30 years,” he adds. “What he has done is impressive for the fashion houses whose magic and ability to innovate, starting from a unique history and savoir-faire, I plan to further strengthen.”

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