Because in each and every one of them, we offer a balanced collection, from entry level to higher price points, and from different occasions and views. This generation doesnt appreciate being considered a target. In an exclusive interview with Vogue Business, CEO Francesca Bellettini shares her plans to continue growth while sticking to the brand's DNA. Ms. Bellettini attributes her calm demeanor to her upbringing in the town of Cesena, near the Adriatic, the youngest of three daughters; her sisters are much older. Such praise is undoubtedly due, but Bellettinis work behind the scenes has been just as instrumental. Indeed, it is this quality, together with a deep understanding of the importance of balance in all aspects of business, that has propelled Saint Laurent to remarkable heights in todays turbulent economic landscape. Its part of the DNA of the brand, Bellettini told Business of Fashion (BoF) in an April 2016 interview. Premium access for businesses and educational institutions. A record number of women made Britains rich list, Yves Saint Laurents chief exec talks about managing a successful fashion business, and in one area of Silicon Valley, women rule. CEO Talks: Francesca Bellettini on Saint Laurent's Next Big Goal of Yves Saint Laurent. Some people dont believe it, but Anthony was the only one I met for the job.. Another question asked whether it was difficult for Bellettini to take a job in Paris, for a Parisian brand, when not speaking French herself. and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, Well, it turned out they didnt know much. A seasonless strategy favouring evolution over revolution has hammered home the brand's message to consumers. We dont do it to sell an extra bag. International Womens Day happened to coincide with the campaign. After graduating from high school, Bellettini had two plans. Nevertheless, Bellettinis success was not easy to achieve. Good morning, WMPW readers! California Weighs $360,000 in Reparations to Eligible Black Residents. It earned the brand criticisms. He asked me did I want to be C.E.O. The biggest move to bring clarity back was changing the brand name. Bellettini became the Strategic Planning Director and Associate Worldwide Merchandising Director of Gucci in 2003, the Worldwide Merchandising and Communications Director of Bottega Veneta in 2010, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Yves Saint Laurent in 2013. Francesca Bellettini, the chief executive of Yves Saint Laurent, in Paris. With the house on track to end 2021 with sales over 2 billion, CEO Francesca Bellettini believes the brand can rise even further. In 1999, she joined the Business Planning and Development division of the Prada group, and later became Operations Manager for Helmut Lang. Francesca Bellettini | Kering Francesca Bellettini, chief exec of fast-growing Yves Saint Laurent, Gina Miller, co-founder of investment boutique SCM Private, has campaigned against sneaky chargesin the asset management market. Premium Digital includes access to our premier business column, Lex, as well as 15 curated newsletters covering key business themes with original, in-depth reporting. Showing Editorial results for francesca le. All rights reserved. Proud to Be Italian: the Most Powerful Italian Women of The Fashion What was truly striking, however, was when Bellettini explained her out-look on life: if Plan A fails, Plan B will never be a watered-down version; instead, both paths will take her down something remarkable and exciting. Saint Laurent CEO Francesca Bellettini's big ambitions Saint Laurent is the new rising star at Kering. Will Others Follow? (if applicable) for The Wall Street Journal. Saint Laurent still has white space to open stores, develop in Asia and reinforce cross-selling across product categories, says Ortelli. Francesca Bellettini was considered an odd choice for the heritage house but shes led it into the billion-euro club. Victoria Beckham and Francesca Bellettini talk creativity and After looping across the vast courtyard of the former 18th-century abbey, through the showrooms, we pass through the front gate at the rue de Bellechasse. She doesnt wear hose even in the dead of winter. The brand also completely stopped making public markdowns during the pandemic. Bellettini proclaimed herself to be a perfectionist; and although this can be helpful to produce meticulous work, she also recognized how it does not allow for mistakes; and, mistakes are critical on the journey to growth and success. That, to me, has been what makes her such a wonderful CEO, especially in a creative field like fashion, said McInnes. It was this confidence that led her to choose Mr. Vaccarello, 38, to replace Mr. Slimane, the designer who turned around the struggling Saint Laurent while changing the name of its ready-to-wear line, its store dcor, ad campaigns and every product. Certainly, Bellettini deserves to be recognised as one of the most influential leaders in fashion today. Already a member? She joined the famous Parisian house, replacing Paul Deneuve, at a crucial time in its development. Francesca Anderson, the rich wife of an older millionaire, can't cope with the death of her lover, who is the father of her only son, James. (Bellettini has been opening an average of 20 new stores per year globally.). Plan B was to study Mechanical Engineering at Bologna University and work for Ferrari; she had a bright laugh when describing how she aspired to be on the side-lines of the track changing the racing wheels of the cars. Despite this, Bellettini stated that they are stronger than ever as a brand. The oldest executive at Kering SA is Baudouin Prot, 69, who is the Director. Simmenauer adds that the brands handbags in particular are timeless and well priced. Francesca Bellettini joined Kering in 2013. I could spend all day in here, Vaccarello says. Renaming a world-famous brand is never advisable. Indeed, such a drastic identity change is usually a big no for established brands, but the audacious move came as part of a shake-up intended to give the brand some much-needed clarity. Mr Saint Laurent himself said in the 70s: Why should we change a product when its already perfect? So, those people who were criticising the fact that some of our products were recurring and that we had a permanent collection probably didnt remember that it was actually part of the DNA of the brand, Bellettini told BoF. (In the third quarter, sales were up 28.1 per cent, while Kering sales were up 12.2 per cent) In 2020, when the pandemic hit, sales were down 13.8 percent while Kering sales were down 16.4 percent. In the third quarter of 2021, Saint Laurent generated 22 per cent of its sales in Asia Pacific, versus 41 per cent for Gucci and 35 per cent for Bottega Veneta. She had always loved fashion, but the job came with a 50 percent pay cut. The chief executive officer of Saint Laurent last year steered the brand's revenues past the barrier of one billion euros, or $1.11 billion at . For more information read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. When she arrived from another Kering brand, Bottega Veneta, in 2013, the. Do whatever you like. She took the job. In the past we would use it to do flooring of the warehouses. In his place, Bellettini appointed Anthony Vaccarello, a young designer who had previously been successful at Versus Versace. We focused even more on what we could control, staying focused on the things we could do better, she explains. Francesca Bellettini (FB): Saint Laurent's retail performances in China absolutely surpassed the pre-COVID-19 situation, boosted by Chinese consumers buying locally. The rebranding brought with it a more refined, heightened sense of elegance and luxury, reaffirming Saint Laurent as one of the worlds preeminent luxury fashion brands.. Saint Laurent Paris is consistent throughout, from manufacturing to customer service, with every employee at every level aware of the brand identity and carrying on their jobs with a full understanding of the story they are telling.. Her major renovation of the companys organisation not only consolidated the brands new image, but also allowed Saint Laurent to reach a whole new audience. They are reluctant to be targeted.. Bloomberg Daybreak, anchored from New York, Boston, Washington DC and San Francisco provides listeners with everything they need to know. The companys enviable performance can, in large extent, be attributed to a drastic and unexpected rebranding. Gucci became the first brand to go public, attracting business administrators to the sector. Londons Investment Appeal Is Unraveling as Arm Heads to the US, UN report: Modern weapons being smuggled to Haiti from US, British Parents Turn to Home Equity to Help Young Buy Property, Sorry, Fed, Most US Mortgage Rates Were Locked in During Pandemic Lows, Fed Says MoreRate Hikes Are Needed to Curb Inflation. Anyone can read what you share. View the profiles of people named Francesca Bellettini. Bellettini shared a particular story about one of the biggest mistakes of her career which put her heart out for the audience; it was vulnerable and so very important. Some mourned the YSL moniker, while others embraced the freshness of the new name and new look. We support credit card, debit card and PayPal payments. By Roza Kovak. She was appointed president and CEO of Yves Saint Laurent in 2013. Saint Laurent CEO Francesca Bellettini Reveals the Brand's Secrets to Moreover, Bellettini called for everyone to be ambitious but never impatient; experiences take time to be made. Also, focus: In Paris, Ms. Bellettini lives in an apartment close to the 17th-century htel particulier on the Left Bank that serves as the companys creative core. PARIS The Vogue Paris Fashion Festival gathered industry voices from heritage brands to startups; traditional retail to digital; casting agents to supermodels. She took it to that level within a three-year period.. That mindset is reflected in what Saint Laurent does as much as what it chooses not to do. How Anthony Vaccarello and Francesca Bellettini took Saint Laurent to We work a lot on conversion.. Smaller categories such as silk, jewellery and eyewear are also booming, contributing to growth. Francesca Bellettini is an Italian businessperson who has been the head of 8 different companies and currently is Chairman at Yves Saint Laurent of Monaco, Chairman of Yves Saint Laurent Parfums SAS, Chairman & President of Yves Saint Laurent SAS, Chairman at Yves Saint Laurent Logistica SRL, Chairman for SL Luxury Retail SRL, Chairman at Yves Saint Laurent Spain SA, Chairman of Yves Saint . It was brilliant from a marketing standpoint. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, with many interpreting the change as a sign of disrespect to the companys founder and namesake. This is why we invested a lot in training. You will be charged Sales have just hit the 1.5 billion mark; her ultimate goal is to double it. This inspired Bellettini to, in 1999, join the Business Planning and Development division of the Prada group. Consumers realised it and since the offer was already well-developed, they could find it in stores.. The event ended with this final question: what is the greatest piece of advice you can share to the audience? For me, this is a balance between creativity, merchandising and business, added Bellettini. Bellettini also believes that no job is a waste of time, even if we have to deal with bosses that we do not like. So maybe it makes sense that in this new mothership, the result of three years of work, he prefers a hidden space over all else. She allots 90 minutes every Monday morning for a lesson with a French tutor and sometimes stays up to midnight studying grammar. Its no longer about brand loyalty so much as in being at the forefront of peoples minds, said Gail McInnes, fashion industry expert and CEO of Stylist Box. Email us at [email protected]. All rights reserved. Francesca Bellettini: The Powerhouse Behind the Billion-Dollar Brand A dust-up occurred in 2015 during Mr. Slimanes tenure, when an ad featuring the young Dutch model Kiki Willems was censured and called irresponsible by Britains advertising watchdog agency because she looked excruciatingly thin. The company has a remarkably even worldwide geographical coverage in terms of stores and customers. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Her father, whom she adored, was an accountant at a lumber company; her mother, a school administrator. The Saint Laurent head office is based on Rue de Bellechasse in Paris. Bellettini has overseen a radical rebranding, overhauling the company from within Image: Nico. President and Chief Executive Officer, Yves Saint Laurent. Due to the extraordinary growth of the company under her leadership, she has been named by the Financial Times as one of the 25 most influential women of 2022. There, on the driveway at the edge of the sidewalk, the cobblestones under our feet rumble as we slowly start to descend: It turns out to be a platform elevator that takes us down, Bond-villain style, to a small parking lot. In early 2016, Slimane shocked the fashion world by announcing his decision to leave Saint Laurent, in spite of the success and influence he enjoyed in his role. The biggest move to bring clarity back was changing the brand name. Bellettini notes that tourists and local customers shop differently: tourists are in search of a better price but know what product they want, while locals are more selective. Despite a heavy workload and "massive" pressure, she said she feels secure in her career. Thats critical: Saint Laurent doesnt give into trends, not even to court the sought-after Gen Z customer. Got some news on an exceptional woman? For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the Settings & Account section. Showing Editorial results for francesca bellettini. (For example, we would never do gaming simply because its something Generation Z is into. But in spite of this natural reaction, one brand has defied the trend. Whilst at the Italian leather goods and ready-to-wear brand, also owned by Kering, Bellettini oversaw merchandising, visual display and communications and was instrumental in the brands repositioning and popularity in emerging markets. Bellettini says her brand derives its revenue from a range of. Ready-to-wear, however, is growing faster at the moment, Bellettini notes, but she adds that the breakdown per category is not meaningful. Alex Murdaugh Receives Life Sentence: What Happens Now? Bellettini has increased control over distribution, rationalised the number of wholesale doors and put in place a controlled and even more selective product distribution by signing contracts of selected distribution in Europe, converting in concessions some doors with wholesale partners. In 1999, she joined the Business Planning and Development division of the Prada group, and later became Operations Manager for Helmut Lang. It wasnt her first time in the line of fire, in any case. The brand has had an inflection, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Edouard Aubin, with less black and white and more color, thus catering to a broader audience, he wrote in a note. Bellettini joined YSL during a crucial time in its development. Creative director Hedi Slimane left to take the reins of Celine and she recruited Vaccarello to succeed him. This is made possible through a leadership style that is confident, but trusting. Bellettini has achieved this global reach through a keen focus on developing local markets. And though former Creative Director Hedi Slimane was very much a driving force for this transition, it was CEO Francesca Bellettini who ensured the success of such a risky strategy, while also overseeing a radical overhaul of the company from within. university The decision was to invest. You have to know where you want to go, she said. Cathy Chai left her steady job in financeat a UN agencyin Beijing for a finance gig at Medecins San Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) in war-torn South Sudan. Today, the collections may not be identical, but the fact equal importance is placed on menswear and womenswear is something quite uncommon in the world of high fashion. Definitely the sensitivity of people and their ability to speak out is much bigger than before, she said. Already, as soon as Vaccarello arrived, they had made the decision to always wait one year to mark down the current collection. Bellettini recommended her viewers to always be observant of a companys culture before applying for a job. Yves Saint Laurent Names Francesca Bellettini CEO; Hedi Slimane - WSJ Francesca Bellettini - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia With the brands new direction firmly established, Bellettini is now focused on the future. This has been a big strength during the pandemic, when tourism stopped. Francesca Bellettini (born 18 April 1970) is an Italian business woman. Reproduce canciones como "Distratto (I Wonder About You) [Acoustic Live Solo]", "Be My Husband (Acoustic Live Solo)" y mucho ms. The fundamentals are even stronger, Bellettini says of the luxury houses current business, speaking in an exclusive Vogue Business interview at her marble-clad office in Paris. As a luxury brand, you secure the best part of the leather. All Rights Reserved. Getty. Bellettini says: Anthony always created a very compelling and complete collection and the show in March 2020, featuring colored tailoring jackets and latex pants, gave visibility to its offer variety. Her obsession is paying off. We see with the store reopening worldwide, we have a lot of younger customers coming, people in their 20s, buying gifts, etc., she says. Francesca Bellettini a star at Saint Laurent | Financial Times It was her fathers kind wisdom to follow her dreams at the young age of 29 that drove her to push away her fears and pursue a more uncertain path.