Prior to her appointment as chief executive and president of Christian Dior, Delphine Arnault, one of two heirs-apparent to her father Bernard Arnault ’s role as head of LVMH, had served as executive vice president of Louis Vuitton and deputy managing director of Christian Dior. Credited with overseeing one of the label’s most successful periods during her decade long tenure at Dior, the executive played an instrumental role in steering the growth of the leather goods and accessories businesses and in overseeing the appointment of Raf Simons as creative director, following the sudden departure of John Galliano .
Arnault joined Dior in 2001 as commercial director, following a year-long turn at the helm of business development at the John Galliano brand, and was appointed as deputy managing director in 2008, becoming second-in-command under chief executive Sidney Toledeno.
The French businesswoman began her career at McKinsey & Co in Paris, having attended EDHEC Business School in Lille and the London School of Economics. Appointed to the board of LVMH in 2003, Arnault also serves on the board of Christian Dior S.A., as well as the individual boards of Pucci, Loewe and Céline.
At Vuitton, Ms Arnault had been charged with overseeing the label’s re-positioning within the luxury market following slowing growth at LVMH’s biggest luxury brand. She was also appointed to LVMH's executive committee in January 2019.
In January 2023, Ms Arnault was appointed chief executive at Dior, succeeding Pietro Beccari . This is the biggest role yet to be held by a member of the family’s next generation even as all 5 of Bernard Arnault’s children have taken up key roles in the group.
VITAL STATISTICS
Bernard Arnault Grapples With the Biggest Slump in LVMH’s History
The luxury goods maker is reeling from a sharp downturn in the €364 billion industry — and questions about succession are growing louder.
Delphine Arnault Confirms Jonathan Anderson’s Dior Takeover
In a rare in-depth interview, the Dior chief executive talks to BoF’s Imran Amed about the logic for hiring Anderson to oversee both the men’s and women’s sides of the business and how the French mega-brand plans to recapture customers amid a sharp downturn in the luxury sector.
Delphine Arnault Confirms Jonathan Anderson’s Dior Takeover
In a rare in-depth interview, the Dior chief executive talks to BoF’s Imran Amed about the logic for hiring Anderson to oversee both the men’s and women’s sides of the business and how the French mega-brand plans to recapture customers amid a sharp downturn in the luxury sector.
LVMH Said to Shake Up Fashion Group Leadership
Former Louis Vuitton CEO Michael Burke is stepping back from overseeing LVMH’s sprawling Fashion Group just four months after he was named the unit’s chief executive, BoF has learned.
Dior: How to Build a Long-Term Brand Image
Dior veteran Olivier Bialobos has balanced heritage, innovation and unprecedented scale as he steered communications through the tenures of a succession of designers and three CEOS. "Desirability — not just visibility— has to be the target," he told BoF in The State of Fashion 2024.
Dior: How to Build a Long-Term Brand Image
Dior veteran Olivier Bialobos has balanced heritage, innovation and unprecedented scale as he steered communications through the tenures of a succession of designers and three CEOS. "Desirability — not just visibility— has to be the target," he told BoF in The State of Fashion 2024.
Can Big Luxury Build New Fashion Brands?
LVMH’s decision to pull the plug on the Fenty fashion label it launched with Rihanna only two years ago underscored just how elusive start-up success has been for Europe’s big luxury groups.
Winners Take All: How LVMH and Kering Will Extend Their Supremacy Post-Pandemic
The family-controlled French giants are well positioned to further dominate the luxury fashion sector. But neither can afford to ignore the threat of disruption.
LVMH Cancels 2020 Prize Final, Launches Fund for Previous Winners
The €300,000 award will be split equally between the eight finalists.
Louis Vuitton Reopens Ready-to-Wear Atelier to Make Hospital Gowns
Chief Executive Michael Burke tells BoF about the effect of the pandemic shutdown on the business and the beginning of a return to normal in China.
How I Became... A Shoe Designer
Fabrizio Viti has worked with the likes of Tom Ford, Miuccia Prada, Marc Jacobs and Nicolas Ghesqiuère, and launched an eponymous label in 2016.
Thebe Magugu First LVMH Prize Recipient From Africa
South African designer Thebe Magugu has been awarded the LVMH Prize, and will receive €300,000 and a year-long mentorship.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
