Fashion
Bulgari appoints Laura Burdese as new CEO
Published
December 18, 2025
Bulgari has named Laura Burdese, a 10-year veteran of LVMH, to be the famed jewellery brand’s CEO, though her appointment is only effective from July 1, 2026. Burdese succeeds Jean-Christophe Babin and will report to Stéphane Bianchi.
“I am very proud of this smooth transition from one great leader to another. For the past three years, Laura and Jean- Christophe have worked side by side to sustain and orchestrate the brand elevation of the iconic Roman jewellery Maison. The nomination of Laura, while opening a new chapter for Bulgari, is a tribute to her strong contribution and accomplishments,” said Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH group managing director and CEO of LVMH watches and jewellery, in a release.
Burdese began her career in the LVMH Group as CEO for Acqua di Parma, before joining Bulgari in 2022 as chief marketing officer. After leading the brand transformation and elevation over recent years, she was promoted to deputy CEO in July 2024.
“Jean-Christophe has shaped the success of TAG Heuer and Bulgari while creating unique paths within their respective industries. I am confident that in his new missions, he will bring the same energy and keep on supporting LVMH and its maisons thanks to his extraordinary vision,” Bianchi added in a release.
Babin will step down as CEO of Bulgari after more than 25 years in the giant luxury group, first at TAG Heuer and then at Bulgari. Under his leadership, the maison underwent a profound transformation, reclaiming its unique position as the quintessential Roman high jeweller. He also spearheaded Bulgari’s advancements in watchmaking and expanded Bulgari into the luxury hospitality industry with new hotels in major global cities.
Babin also demonstrated a strong commitment to Italian craftsmanship, evidenced by the inauguration of a new factory extension in Valenza and the launch of the Scuola Bulgari. Babin will continue to serve as chairman of the Bulgari Board, CEO of the Bulgari Hotel Business Unit, and president of the Bulgari Foundation. He will also report to Bianchi.
Burdese started her career in the beauty industry, holding brand management positions at Beiersdorf and L’Oréal. In 1999, she joined the Swatch Group as marketing director Italy, before doing management stints at Klein Watch and Jewelry and Swatch Group’s Italian subsidiary. In addition to this role in 2012, she was named president and CEO of Calvin Klein Watch & Jewelry Co. Ltd.
In October 2016, she joined LVMH as president and CEO of Acqua di Parma. In 2022, Burdese was appointed vice president of marketing and communications at Bulgari, before being appointed deputy CEO in 2024. She holds a degree in International Economics from the University of Trieste and a Master’s degree in Marketing and Communication.
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Fashion
Australia’s Myer posts strong H1 FY26 sales growth, up 24.5% YoY
Operating gross profit surged 35.1 per cent to $886.0 million, while underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 10.5 per cent to $112.8 million. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 21.7 per cent to $51.7 million, with statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) up 32.8 per cent to $40.3 million.
Myer has reported strong H1 FY26 results, with total sales rising 24.5 per cent to $2,279.5 million and NPAT up 21.7 per cent to $51.7 million.
Growth was supported by Apparel Brands integration and strategic investments.
Loyalty members reached 5.1 million.
Early H2 FY26 sales rose 1.7 per cent, though the company remains cautious amid macroeconomic pressures and weak discretionary demand.
The company maintained strong financial discipline, with cost of doing business at 27.9 per cent of total sales, within its FY26 target of around 29 per cent. Myer also reported a robust net cash position of $287 million, reflecting strong cash conversion and balance sheet flexibility, Myer said in a press release.
Myer’s ongoing transformation strategy continued to gain traction during the period, particularly through its customer engagement and brand expansion initiatives. The relaunched Myer one loyalty programme reached a record 5.1 million active members, supported by enhanced personalisation driven by AI-led data modelling.
The company also strengthened its product portfolio, introducing new exclusive brands and securing partnerships with global names such as Fenty Beauty, La Mer, Gap, and Topshop.
“Our H1 result reflects momentum across our business as we continue to implement the Myer Group Growth Strategy. Sales growth was achieved both in store and online, and our disciplined cost management allowed us to make targeted investments including in e-commerce, marketing, product, merchandise and supply chain to deliver on our plan,” said Olivia Wirth, executive chair at Myer.
“We achieved our biggest Black Friday on record for Myer Retail, and total sales for the group through the important trading months of December and January were in line with last year—a good outcome that demonstrates the resilience of the business,” added Wirth.
The integration of Myer Apparel Brands progressed steadily, with the company targeting at least $30 million in annualised synergies, alongside an additional $10 million from integrating sass & bide, Marcs, and David Lawrence.
Operationally, Myer continued to optimise its store network, closing 22 stores and opening 12 during the period, while advancing its omni-channel capabilities. The company is set to launch an expanded Myer Marketplace platform in May 2026.
Supply chain efficiency also improved, with 32 per cent of online orders fulfilled through third-party logistics and distribution centres, compared to 13 per cent a year earlier.
In the first seven weeks of the second half (H2), total sales grew 1.7 per cent YoY, with Myer Retail sales up 2.2 per cent, driven by strong performance in home and kids categories.
Despite the positive momentum, the company remains cautious amid macroeconomic uncertainty and pressure on discretionary spending.
“Given the current volatility in the wider macroeconomic environment and the ongoing pressures on discretionary spending, we are more focused than ever on delivering value for our customers,” added Wirth.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Export demand lifts North India cotton yarn; local demand slow
Fashion
WTO launches 3rd phase of Enhanced Integrated Framework
EIF is a mechanism aimed at leveraging and coordinating support for trade and investment priorities in least-developed countries (LDCs).
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for stronger partnerships to achieve the objectives of the Enhanced Integrated Framework’s (EIF) third phase, launched yesterday in Yaounde.
It aims to coordinate support for trade and investment priorities in LDCs.
The latest six-year phase has also secured fresh contribution pledges from Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
The new phase was launched at a side event to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, co-organised by Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates and the EIF executive secretariat.
The third phase of the EIF introduces a shift from stand-alone projects to multi-year country programming. It is designed to help LDCs better integrate into the global trading system while addressing structural vulnerabilities and seizing new opportunities in areas such as digital trade, services, green value chains and regional integration.
The latest six-year phase also received new contribution pledges from Germany ($1.964 million), Liechtenstein (~$63,139), Norway ($4.15 million), Switzerland ($3.16 million) and the United Kingdom ($6.67 million).
“This third phase of the EIF comes at a defining moment for the LDCs and recently graduated countries. Familiar structural vulnerabilities are being compounded by a disrupted global trading system, power politics, debt pressures, climate change, and global economic uncertainty. At the same time, the current global context offers some important opportunities for LDCs to use trade to drive growth, development, and job creation,” Okonjo-Iweala said in a release issued by the WTO.
The DG also emphasised the need to scale up support and partnerships to match the ambition of the new phase.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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