September 2025 Industry Hires And Appointments

September 2025 marked a month of sweeping change across fashion, beauty, and culture. From Jaden Smith’s surprise appointment as Men’s Creative Director at Christian Louboutin to Rachel Scott taking over as Creative Director at Proenza Schouler, the month underscored a generational shift in design leadership. On the corporate side, moves like Francesca Bellettini becoming CEO of Gucci and Luca de Meo officially stepping into the CEO role at Kering highlighted new strategies at the top of Europe’s luxury conglomerates.

From creative director appointments to C-suite shake-ups and institutional governance shifts, global brands and cultural organizations signaled new priorities in design, strategy, and leadership. The moves reflect an industry in transition—balancing heritage with innovation, responding to evolving consumer expectations, and positioning for growth across both Western and Asian markets.

Jaden Smith at Christian Louboutin In one of the month’s most buzzed-about moves, Jaden Smith has been named Men’s Creative Director at Christian Louboutin, bringing his forward-thinking approach and youth-driven vision to the luxury shoemaker. The appointment underscores Louboutin’s effort to connect with younger audiences through bold cultural voices.

New CEO at Stella McCartney Stella McCartney has appointed Tom Mendenhall as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Amandine Ohayon. Mendenhall is set to guide the brand into its next phase, balancing sustainability with global expansion. His leadership background in luxury menswear positions him to strengthen McCartney’s global retail and accessories business.

Valentino Leadership Shift Ricardo Bellini has been appointed CEO of Valentino, signaling a strategic shift for the Italian luxury house. Bellini’s experience at Chloé suggests a renewed focus on balancing heritage with modern global positioning.

Proenza Schouler Welcomes a New Creative Director Rachel Scott takes over as Creative Director of Proenza Schouler, succeeding founding duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Scott’s appointment marks a new era for the New York label known for its modern tailoring and refined minimalism. Her background in contemporary design is expected to bring fresh momentum to the house’s creative identity.

Change at the Top of American Vogue In a historic editorial shift, Chloe Malle has been named Head of Editorial Content at American Vogue, succeeding the legendary Anna Wintour. This marks a generational handover at one of the most influential fashion publications in the world. Malle’s rise reflects Condé Nast’s broader strategy to evolve legacy titles for digital-first audiences.

Thom Browne Appoints a New CEO Sam Lobban has assumed the role of CEO at Thom Browne, succeeding Rodrigo Bazan. Lobban is tasked with steering the brand’s continued international growth and cultural influence. Having risen within Nordstrom, he brings a sharp perspective on retail expansion and consumer engagement.

New Management at S.Oliver Group Brothers Julian and Johannes Rellecke have joined the management board of S.Oliver Group, strengthening leadership at the German fashion company. Their addition comes as the group looks to modernize operations and broaden its appeal across Europe.

Mango Expands Womenswear Leadership Eva Gallego has been appointed Head of Womenswear at Mango, reinforcing the Spanish retailer’s creative and commercial positioning. The move highlights Mango’s ambition to sharpen its womenswear offering in an increasingly competitive high-street market.

3.1 Phillip Lim Strengthens Design Leadership Announced earlier this year and now effective this September, Michelle Rhee has officially stepped into her role as Head of Design at 3.1 Phillip Lim, helping redefine the brand’s modern New York identity. Her promotion signals a renewed focus on creative innovation at the cult-favorite label.

Sonsie Skin Names a New CEO Pamela Anderson’s Sonsie Skin has appointed Kailey Bradt as Chief Executive Officer, positioning the clean beauty brand for international expansion. Bradt’s previous experience as founder of eco-beauty label Susteau aligns with Sonsie’s sustainability-driven positioning.

Casablanca Adds a Marketing Leader Priya de Souza has joined Casablanca as Chief Marketing Officer, set to elevate the brand’s global reach. The appointment points to Casablanca’s effort to solidify its presence as a lifestyle-driven luxury house.

Revision Skincare’s New CEO Lisa Paley has been named CEO of Revision Skincare. She steps in to steer the American skincare brand through its next stage of clinical product innovation and global expansion.

Ferragamo CFO Change La Tour has resigned as CFO of Ferragamo, with La Morgia stepping into the role on an interim basis. The shift comes during a transitional phase for the Italian brand as it reassesses its financial strategy.

Creative Departures at Oscar de la Renta In a surprise move, the Creative Directors of Oscar de la Renta have exited the label, leaving questions about the house’s next creative chapter. Their departure leaves the New York brand at a pivotal crossroads in defining its future identity.

Luca de Meo Takes Over Kering Luca de Meo officially becomes CEO of Kering following shareholder approval, ushering in a new phase for the luxury conglomerate. His appointment closes months of speculation over leadership succession at the group.

VF Corp. Sells Dickies VF Corporation has finalized the sale of workwear brand Dickies to Bluestar Alliance. The divestment is part of VF’s broader restructuring to streamline its brand portfolio.

Gucci’s New CEO Francesca Bellettini has been appointed CEO of Gucci, succeeding Jean-François Palus, who held the interim role. Bellettini’s track record at Saint Laurent signals Kering’s confidence in her ability to deliver both creative synergy and financial growth.

A New Role at Fendi Silvia Venturini Fendi has been named Honorary President of Fendi as the Roman house prepares to define a new creative direction. The move acknowledges her decades of stewardship as the maison repositions for its next generation.

HYPEBEAST Names a New Editor-in-Chief Former Highsnobiety Social Media Director Maddrell Stinney has been named Editor-in-Chief at HYPEBEAST.

Jimmy Lam to Lead Ba&sh in Asia-Pacific Ba&sh has appointed Jimmy Lam as CEO Asia-Pacific, tasking him with spearheading the brand’s expansion and strengthening its presence across the region. His appointment reflects the French label’s push to accelerate growth in key Asian markets.

Maison Kitsuné Taps Abigail Smith as Creative Director The brand's recent pivot toward a more streamlined and restrained aesthetic is now official with the appointment of British designer Abigail Smith as Creative Director, confirming its new creative direction.

Governance Shift at Kunst-Werke Berlin Haegue Yang has been appointed Chair of the Executive Board of Kunst-Werke Berlin, marking a major governance shift at the institution. As one of South Korea’s most internationally recognized artists, her leadership brings a globally engaged perspective to the Berlin-based art center.

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