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.
Laura Burdese is Bulgari’s new CEO – Bulgari
“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.
MadaLuxe Group on Thursday said it has acquired fine jewelry brand Ippolita, as the U.S. lifestyle group looks to bolster its portfolio and expand into the fine jewelry category.
Ippolita
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Under the deal, founder of Ippolita, Ippolita Rostagno, will continue in her role as chief creative officer, overseeing all aspects of design across the brand’s jewelry collections.
“I founded Ippolita with the belief that fine jewelry should celebrate the artistry of the hand and honor the individuality of the women who wear it,” said Rostagno. “Joining MadaLuxe Group opens an exciting new chapter—one that allows us to protect our heritage while embracing meaningful opportunities for growth. I am delighted to continue guiding the brand’s creative vision as we reach an even broader global audience.”
Launching in 1999 exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, Ippolita is known for its sculptural jewelery that blends contemporary design with Italian craftsmanship. Today, the brand is sold through leading luxury retailers and boutiques worldwide.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ippolita into the MadaLuxe Group family,” said Adam Freede, CEO and co-founder of MadaLuxe Group, which added it will support the New York fine jewelry brand’s continued growth across key markets worldwide.
“Ippolita is an iconic brand with a rich artistic heritage, extraordinary customer loyalty, and a timeless visual vocabulary. We see significant opportunity to drive brand growth through strategic support and investment. Above all, we saw a great chance to add someone as talented as Ippolita to the MadaLuxe family, who views the importance of people and company culture the same way that we do.”
Volcom and Boardriders brands are returning to Hawaii with the reopening of two flagship retail locations on O’ahu, marking a renewed commitment to the surf culture that has long shaped the brands’ identities.
Volcom and Boardriders brands reestablish retail presence in Hawaii. – Volcom
Boardriders will reopen its U.S. flagship in Waikīkī through Authentic’s partnership with BR Japan. Located steps from the Duke Kahanamoku statue, the more than 7,000-square-foot space will serve as a key global retail destination, offering a curated assortment of Action and Outdoor brands including Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy and RVCA.
“Our store sits right in front of the birthplace of surfing, the most important location in surfing history,” said Sammy Yoo, president of BR Japan.
“This is our flagship store, arguably the most important property in the surf industry, and we want it to feel truly original. The imagery we’re collecting, from Waikīkī’s early surf culture to iconic shots of our athletes, honors the past while inspiring the future.”
Volcom will also reestablish its presence on the North Shore with the reopening of its Haleiwa store through Authentic’s partnership with The Levy Group, which has teamed up with longtime Hawaii retailer Cycle City.
“Reestablishing Volcom’s presence in Haleiwa is an important milestone for us,” said Louis Levy, president of The Levy Group.
“Hawaii has always been central to the brand’s story, and we’re committed to building stores with a partner that reflects the energy, creativity, and authenticity that define Volcom. With our iconic Volcom houses at Pipeline only six and a half miles away, re-opening this location is another step in supporting Volcom athletes, consumers, and the community on O’ahu’s North Shore”
Authentic acquired Boardriders from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., in 2023. Through this acquisition, Authentic expanded its portfolio with Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, DC Shoes, RVCA, Element, VonZipper and Honolua. Likewise, Authentic acquired the Volcom brand from luxury giant Kering in 2019.
Since acquiring the brands, Authentic has focused on expanding the Action and Outdoor Sports portfolio through partnerships that reflect the heritage of each label. The Hawaii openings follow the launch of 15 new stores across Western Europe and contribute to more than 20 new retail locations opened globally with partners to date.
Lululemon announced on Thursday plans to expand its international footprint in 2026 with six new market entries, marking the largest number of new country launches the brand has undertaken in a single year.
Lululemon to enter six new markets in 2026. – Lululemon
The expansion will be carried out through Lululemon’s new franchise partnership model and will include entries into Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania, alongside a previously announced move into India.
The European launches will be executed in partnership with Arion Retail Group, while Lululemon’s entry into India will be supported by a partnership with Tata CLiQ.
Consumers in Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania will be able to shop Lululemon’s full assortment online, while customers in India will have digital access through Tata CLiQ Luxury and Tata CLiQ Fashion. Physical retail plans, including store locations and opening timelines, will be announced in the new year.
Community engagement will remain central to Lululemon’s expansion strategy, with the brand planning to extend its ambassador network and host local events focused on movement and wellbeing as it enters new regions.
“As we continue to see strong demand for the Lululemon brand around the world, we’re thrilled to grow our presence and communities across Europe and Asia Pacific with entry into six new markets in 2026,” said Sarah Clark, senior vice president, EMEA, Lululemon.
“Each of these markets offer exciting potential for our brand, and we look forward to working with our franchise partners to introduce our innovative products and engaging guest experiences to more consumers in these regions.”
The upcoming launches represent the latest step in Lululemon’s international growth strategy. The company currently operates in more than 30 markets globally, spanning North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and mainland China. The new entries follow Lululemon’s expansion into Italy earlier this year, as well as recent franchise-led openings in Denmark, Turkey and Belgium.