Tarang Amin, chief executive officer, E.l.f. Beauty
Big, bold moves are the name of the game at E.l.f. Beauty under the leadership of CEO Amin, whether it’s the year’s buzziest acquisition, as with Hailey Bieber’s Rhode, or calling out sexism in the C-suite. (Who can forget 2024’s “So Many Dicks” campaign?) But for Amin, it’s not about shock value — it’s about connecting to culture and understanding the key drivers of Gen Z today. And boy, does he understand. Since taking the reins of E.l.f. 2014 and going public in 2016, Amin has overseen 25 consecutive quarters of growth. Giant results, indeed.
Jonathan Anderson, creative director of women’s, men’s and haute couture collections
Founder of the JW Anderson brand, Anderson rose to prominence with his early gender-busting menswear collections and has become known for his conceptual, craft-driven approach. During his 11 years at Loewe, the Irish designer transformed the label from a small, reputable Spanish leather house into a vibrant global luxury brand steeped in contemporary culture. Parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is now betting on his magic touch to rev up Dior.
The Arnault children
While business titan Bernard Arnault remains firmly at the helm of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the next generation is making their mark across the group and its brands. Delphine Arnault is chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture as well as the spearhead of the LVMH Prize for Young Designers, while Antoine Arnault, who was the group’s “Mr. Olympics” for the 2024 Paris Games, is Vuitton’s head of communication, image and environment and vice chairman and CEO of Christian Dior SE. They separately received the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian decoration in January 2025.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Arnault was named deputy CEO of the Moët Hennessy wines and spirits division in November, after nearly four years as Tiffany & Co.’s executive vice president of product, communication and industrial. Currently the CEO of Loro Piana, Frédéric Arnault was previously head of LVMH Watches after a seven-year tenure at Tag Heuer. He also played a key role in developing the 10-year global partnership between LVMH and Formula 1. Youngest sibling Jean Arnault serves as director of watches of Louis Vuitton and has initiated the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. Who will eventually succeed Arnault, who already has said he wants to remain in place until at least age 85?
A$AP Rocky, performer, entrepreneur and designer
The multitalented rapper, songwriter and fashion icon is known for bridging the worlds of music and high fashion (and for being Rihanna’s husband). Recognized for his innovative approach to style, he’s collaborated with Dior, Gucci and Prada, and serves as the creative director for Ray-Ban and his own clothing brand AWGE, which he’s determined to build into a major brand.
Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari and LVMH Watches
Jean-Christophe Babin
Katie Jones/WWD
Babin has taken Bulgari to new heights, growing the brand not only in its core jewelry category but also turning it into a serious watchmaker that regularly breaks records for the thinnest watches and expanding its luxury hotel offering. In March parent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton gave him the added role of CEO of LVMH Watches, which comprises the Hublot, Zenith and Tag Heuer brands. He faces the challenge of continuing to grow Bulgari and the group’s watch brands in the face of the slowing luxury market — and the new U.S. tariffs on Swiss imports.
Richard Baker and Marc Metrick, Saks Global
Baker and Metrick are, respectively, executive chairman and CEO of Saks Global and face one of the industry’s toughest tasks: Stabilizing the combined Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Group and getting it on the growth track. But with angry and anxious vendors, bonds trading below face value and tougher times, can they make their new vision for luxury retail work?
Pietro Beccari, chairman and CEO, Louis Vuitton
“Don’t think big, think huge” is a trademark Beccari-ism. A dynamic force in luxury, the hard-charging, fun-loving executive has masterfully steered brands like Fendi, Dior and now Louis Vuitton with a rare blend of strategic acumen, creative intuition and raw ambition. He has a reputation for rolling out dreamy destination fashion shows, gob-smacking pop-up shops and department store takeovers, mega exhibitions and flagships that break the luxury mold with elements of education and entertainment baked in.
Victoria and David Beckham, brand builders in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and sport
London’s enduring power couple have spun their early success in entertainment and sports into gold, venturing into businesses across fashion, beauty, sport, lifestyle and consumer goods, and building a family empire worth an estimated 500 million pounds. Victoria’s fashion and beauty business is profitable while David’s sponsorships, and a major deal with Authentic Brands Group have them poised for more success — helped by the Netflix documentary on him and the upcoming one on her.
Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO, in charge of brand development, Kering
During her time as CEO of Saint Laurent, former investment banker Bellettini was behind the move to launch the brand’s film division, which went on to produce last year’s Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning “Emilia Pérez.” Ability to think beyond the boundaries of fashion led to her promotion as deputy CEO in charge of brand development, a key position as Kering tries to regain its momentum with new designers taking the reins at key brands in its stable including Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta. How she deals with the arrival of new Kering group CEO Luca de Meo is a key question, though.
Patrizio and Lorenzo Bertelli, respectively chairman and head of marketing and corporate social responsibility at Prada Group
The embodiment of the generational shift at luxury houses, the father and son are helping to steer Prada Group into its next generation. Patrizio led the group’s ’90s acquisition spree, its Hong Kong IPO in 2011, and most recently the takeover of Versace. His eldest son Lorenzo, who joined the company in 2017, spearheads the group’s ESG efforts and forward-facing evolution. Can they build a truly Italian luxury group competitive with the French?
Hailey Bieber, model and founder, Rhode
Hailey Bieber
Chad Salvador/WWD
In beauty, there’s truth and trend — and rarely the twain shall meet. But Bieber’s Rhode is the rare unicorn that straddles both worlds. Launched in 2022 with only five stock keeping units, Rhode was snapped up just three years later by E.l.f. Beauty in a deal valued at $1 billion.
Marco Bizzarri, Elisabetta Franchi chairman, investor
Bizzarri led a textbook turnaround at Gucci, selecting Alessandro Michele as creative director in 2015. Between then and 2022, the size of Gucci tripled, reaching sales of 9.73 billion euros. After leaving Gucci in September 2023, Bizzarri has been investing in fashion brand Elisabetta Franchi and design company Visionnaire. He is also a partner on Orienta Capital Partners and an investor in Forel.
Manolo Blahnik, founder, designer
Blahnik’s shoes have become icons, worn in palaces, down runways and by first ladies and A-list celebrities alike.
The ever-energetic Spanish designer has been optimistic about the slowdown of luxury in hard times and is intent on leaving behind a family legacy, naming his niece, Kristina Blahnik, as CEO. Together they have grown the company’s retail footprint and moved into new territories including Shanghai, Miami and Milan.
Matthieu Blazy, artistic director, Chanel
Blazy held senior design roles at Raf Simons, Maison Margiela and Celine under Phoebe Philo before joining Bottega Veneta — first under Daniel Lee, then succeeding him as creative director in 2021 in a tenure marked by a focus on material innovation and quiet luxury. He was tapped last year for one of the biggest jobs in fashion — artistic director of fashion activities at Chanel — and he’s due to show his eagerly anticipated first collection for the house in October.
Nicolas Bos, CEO, Compagnie Financière Richemont
He at first didn’t want the job, but Richemont chairman Johann Rupert is nothing if not persuasive, so Bos decamped from Van Cleef & Arpels after a stellar 11-year run as CEO to become chief of the entire group in June 2024, overseeing all its maisons, functions and regions. Bos and the 75-year-old Rupert clearly make a good team: Richemont’s latest results outpaced almost all its competitors thanks to its core watches and jewelry businesses. Can they keep up their string of success?
Thom Browne, designer
Thom Browne
Sasha Maslov/WWD
The designer has become globally recognized for his avant-garde approach to women’s and men’s, couture and even home, with conceptual runway shows that are must-sees in New York and Paris. But the brand has been struggling and parent Ermenegildo Zegna recently tapped a new CEO there to jolt its turnaround. Browne also faces another challenge: as chairman of the CFDA, can he reignite American fashion and make New York Fashion Week more competitive with Milan and especially Paris?
Tory Burch and Pierre-Yves Roussel
A rare married couple in fashion, Burch and Roussel continue to grow what has become a pillar of American fashion ever since Burch founded the label in 2004. Roussel’s arrival as CEO in 2019 has enabled her to focus purely on design and over the last few years Burch has substantially elevated her collections with better fabrics and styles that play off of classic American sportswear but with a decidedly Burchian twist.
Laura Burdese, deputy CEO, Bulgari
A bubbly personality and sparkling energy coupled with sharp business acumen define Burdese, who makes a case of the (too) few women executives sitting at the top of international luxury companies. She was promoted to her current post — a newly created position at the LVMH-owned brand where she oversees the jewelry, watches, perfumes and leather goods business — after playing a key role in Bulgari’s elevation strategy since her arrival in 2022 as vice president of marketing and communication. Is she the next CEO?
Michael Burke, chairman and CEO of LVMH Americas
One of LVMH kingpin Bernard Arnault’s most trusted deputies, Burke is probably best known for his stellar decade leading Louis Vuitton, where he tripled revenues and quadrupled profits, according to market sources. He also left his mark on Bulgari, Fendi and Christian Dior, leveraging his mastery of global retail markets and real estate, merchandising prowess, complicity with creatives and sharp instincts about where luxury is heading. A charismatic, cerebral and well-rounded executive, he thrives on complexity and in his new role will have to ensure LVMH brands keep growing in the Americas despite the tough economic landscape.
Sarah Burton, creative director, Givenchy
Having joined Alexander McQueen as an intern in 1996 during her studies at Central Saint Martins, Burton was named creative director of the house in 2010 following the founder’s death. She rocketed to fame by designing the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress and over the years upheld the brand’s legacy of narrative-driven, technically rigorous design until her departure in 2023. At the helm of Givenchy since last year, Burton has already signaled a female-friendly agenda with a wearable first collection and a debut campaign highlighting the female gaze.
Burak Cakmak, CEO, Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia
How does a country build a sustainable, luxury fashion industry from scratch? Just ask Cakmak, who is doing just that in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has identified the sector as one of its key growth pillars of the future. Since taking on the role in April 2021, the ever-energetic, driven Cakmak has helped catapult the country’s designers to become globally recognized, doing road shows from New York to Milan, and is consistently raising the profile of Saudi Fashion Week. From textiles to finished products, Cakmak has already boosted fashion’s contribution to the Saudi economy — and he isn’t stopping there.
Stefano Cantino, Gucci CEO
He has one of the toughest — and highest-pressured — tasks in fashion: turning the struggling Gucci around. A strategic, thoughtful executive, Cantino took on the CEO role of Gucci in January, having joined the brand nine months earlier from Louis Vuitton and earlier having worked for years at Prada. With Demna taking the design reins — with his first real show in February 2026 — can Cantino do it?
Cardi B, recording artist, entrepreneur and actress
The Grammy-winning Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, popularly known as Cardi B, has been a style icon ever since her music breakthrough in 2017, collaborating with the likes of NYX Professional Makeup and Reebok; launching her first owned business, Whipshots; appearing on magazine covers and in ad campaigns and even walking the haute couture runways. Now we’re about to find out if her style can translate to a broader audience: She’s introducing her own apparel and beauty brands in association with Revolve Group.
Michael Chalhoub, CEO, Chalhoub Group
Chalhoub took the CEO reins from his father Patrick earlier in 2025 during the company’s 70th anniversary year. The transition comes as the business his grandfather founded builds on decades of growth in the Middle East, which has become a key target region for luxury players given the slowdown in China. But Chalhoub also has his sights set on America, with the company launching its mega-concept Level Shoes via e-commerce there and eyeing possible brick-and-mortar.
Willy Chavarria, designer
Willy Chavarria
Kuba Dabrowski/WWD
Chavarria has over the last few years become one of the hottest designers around with men’s and women’s collections that plumb his Mexican American heritage and his outspoken championing of marginalized communities and social issues. He makes no secret of wanting to build a megabrand and work for a big European fashion house as well, having had conversations with LVMH. Is one of its brands in his future?
Maria Grazia Chiuri, designer
She made history as the first female couturier in Dior’s history and during her tenure from 2016 to 2025 oversaw a golden age of growth thanks to a mix of commercially successful product and feminist-driven storytelling. Known for her collaborations with female artists and artisans, she redefined Dior’s visual language through politically engaged runway shows and modern reinterpretations of classic silhouettes. Having left Dior, she’s focused on refurbishing a theater she bought in Rome — but is another fashion house still in her future?
Telfar Clemens, founder of Telfar
Clemens’ brand has helped to redefine accessibility and inclusivity in fashion through community building. His tote bags, often dubbed the “Bushwick Birkin,” have become a cultural sensation, selling out in minutes. Clemens’ commitment to his “Not for you, for everyone” tag line challenges traditional notions of exclusivity in high fashion, extending his influence beyond fashion and into the cultural zeitgeist.
Judd Crane, executive director, buying and brand, Selfridges
Crane oversees buying and merchandising for all product categories, including ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, jewelry, travel and kids and has an eye on beauty and advertising. That wider view over merchandise and the Selfridges brand comes as the store’s new owners, Central Group and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, map out their future strategy for the store. So what’s next for the retailer and him?
Joanne Crevoiserat, CEO, Tapestry Inc.
Crevoiserat brought Tapestry out of the pandemic with some momentum and grand vision — the $8.5 billion acquisition of Michael Kors parent Capri Inc., a turnaround project that would complement the company’s already strong Coach business. The deal fell through under antitrust scrutiny, but Tapestry has managed to, if anything, gain speed. The much smaller Stuart Weitzman has been spun off and Kate Spade is being reworked under new management, but Coach continues to go from strength to strength with an approach that is at once high-tech and based in branding fundamentals.
Brunello Cucinelli, founder, executive chairman and creative director of namesake company
A self-made man, the son of a farmer, Cucinelli has built his namesake company to reach sales of more than 1 billion euros, but he prides himself on focusing on gradual growth, balancing profit and promoting the idea of “humanistic capitalism” and human sustainability, including restoring the medieval hamlet of Solomeo. A favorite “quiet luxury” brand of the uber rich, Cucinelli continues to buck the luxury slowdown hitting many of its peers.