LVMH names Sylvain Blanc as new CEO of Kenzo

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Sep 16, 2021

All change at Kenzo. In the same week that the house announced the appointment of a new artistic director, it has named a new CEO, Sylvain Blanc, who joins the Paris fashion marque from underwear specialist Undiz.

“I am delighted to welcome Sylvain as Chief Executive Officer of Kenzo. Sylvain is passionate about fashion and has extensive experience in retail. He combines an entrepreneurial itinerary with a proven ability to relaunch and develop established brands. He has been tasked with opening a new chapter in the history of Kenzo,” said Sidney Toledano, chairman and CEO of the LVMH Fashion Group, which oversees a slew of brands including Celine and Givenchy.

As reported, the house also named Tomoaki 'Nigo' Nagao of The Bathing Ape as new artistic director following rumors that the talented Japanese creator would be taking over at the Paris-based house. He succeeds Felipe Oliveira Baptista, who left Kenzo last June after just two years at the house.

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Blanc’s appointment is effective October 18, two weeks after the end of the next Paris Fashion Week, where Kenzo is not scheduled to stage a show.

Blanc succeeds Sylvie Colin who is moving on to pursue a personal project abroad, LVMH said in a release.

“I want to sincerely thank Sylvie for her contribution over the past four years, during which Kenzo has consolidated its organization and largely renewed its collections, while strengthening its presence in Asia,” added Toledano, member of the executive committee of LVMH.

“We wish Sylvain Blanc a warm welcome and every success in his new role,” LVMH said in its statement.

Blanc began his career as deputy to the merchandising director of Printemps department store, before becoming head of strategic planning for stores. He later joined The Kooples as vice president, Europe, Middle East and Asia. He is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and of the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, also known as Mines ParisTech. Since 2018, Blanc has been CEO of Undiz.