Giorgio Armani has always valued executives who truly ’embrace’ a company’s vision and do not depart after just two or three years to chase the next highest bidder- each time with a lavish severance. The appointment, announced a short while ago, of Giuseppe Marsocci as CEO of the Armani Group with immediate effect (together with his simultaneous entry to its Board of Directors) reflects this philosophy. As confirmed in a statement by the Board of Directors of Giorgio Armani SpA, Marsocci brings more than 35 years of international experience in the fashion and luxury sector, 23 of them within the Armani Group, in roles of increasing responsibility in Milan and abroad; most notably in New York, where he served as CEO of the Americas.
Giuseppe Marsocci, CEO of the Armani Group
Over the past six years, from 2019 to the present, the Piedmontese executive has reported directly to Giorgio Armani, serving as the group’s deputy general manager and global chief commercial officer. He has sat on numerous corporate boards and served as chairman of Giorgio Armani Retail Srl, as well as CEO and/or president of various overseas subsidiaries of the group.
Proposed unanimously by the Armani Foundation, Marsocci will report to the board chaired by Leo Dell’Orco, on which Silvana Armani will serve as vice-chair. In the coming weeks, the company notes, the Board of Directors of Giorgio Armani SpA “will take its final shape upon completion of probate procedures and execution of the will, but it was decided to move ahead now by appointing the CEO in advance, to inaugurate the new course without any interruption in the management of the company,” the fashion group’s statement reads.
Leo Dell’Orco, chairman of the company’s board, highlighted Marsocci’s key qualities in the statement: “His international professional experience, deep knowledge of the sector and of the company, discretion, loyalty, and team spirit, together with his closeness in recent years to Mr Armani, make Giuseppe the most natural choice to ensure continuity along the path mapped out, built and perpetuated for 50 years by the founder,” in keeping with the company’s founding principles and the enduring direction set by the Piacenza-born designer, who passed away earlier this month.
Giuseppe Marsocci expressed his gratitude “for the trust placed in me. This is a project of extraordinary importance, focused on continuity and on enhancing one of the world’s most prestigious Made in Italy brands which, for clients and the market, has transcended the status of a simple label to rightfully become a lifestyle brand.”
‘The objective is demanding,” continued the new CEO, “all the more so in a luxury market engaged in deep self-reflection, but it is achievable thanks to the fundamental contribution of an outstanding network of clients, suppliers, partners, and passionate colleagues around the world, particularly in Milan, many of whom have been close to Mr Armani for many years. Together we will do everything to perpetuate his model of enterprise and his idea of beauty, and we will carry it forward with consistency and sensitivity, taking into account the values and expectations of a changing world.”
Giuseppe Marsocci, a 61-year-old from Turin with a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Turin, has prior experience in sales, marketing and brand management at the Turin-based GFT Group, a licensee of Valentino, Dior, Ungaro, Stone Island and Armani. Other notable roles include five years at Fila Sport (HDP Group) as head of international business development.
Marsocci joined the Armani Group in 2003, taking on roles of increasing responsibility both at the Milan headquarters and in the group’s overseas subsidiaries. These included: commercial director of Armani Collezioni; CEO of the Swiss subsidiary (formerly the logistics and customer service hub for all overseas markets); global director for diffusion/wholesale lines; and, for more than ten years in the New York office, first as president of Trimil US, the Zegna/Armani joint venture, before serving as CEO of the Americas from 2014 to 2019.
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Gucci owner Kering and private equity firm Ardian said on Tuesday they had completed a joint venture agreement for a New York property deal valued at $900 million.
Kering’s brands include Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Balenciaga – Reuters
Under the deal concluded earlier this year, Kering is contributing the property at 715-717 Fifth Avenue in New York to a newly created joint venture with Ardian, the companies said in a joint statement. Ardian will hold a 60% stake in this, with Kering retaining 40% and receiving $690 million in net proceeds.
The transaction is part of Kering’s broader strategy to secure control of high-profile retail locations while also raising cash. In January, Kering said it had transferred three of its Paris real estate assets to a new joint venture with Ardian, freeing up 837 million euros in proceeds.
“Like the investment agreement already signed in Paris, this transaction allows us to secure another long term highly prominent retail location for our houses while enhancing our financial flexibility,” said Kering chief operating officer Jean-Marc Duplaix, commenting on the New York Ardian deal.
London’s Selfridges continues to be the pop-up destination of choice in London’s West End (Harrods has that status in Knightsbridge) and one of the world’s best known labels will be there as of January.
Dior
Dior, which already has a strong presence in the London flagship will be unveiling its first pop-up boutique for its new summer 2026 creations inside the in-demand Corner Shop.
That’s important because it will celebrate the launch of Jonathan Anderson’s first collection.
Running from 8 January to 28 February, the unique space will “reveal a playful world like a waking dream”. The company said the summer 2026 menswear collection “breathes a certain spontaneity into the art of dressing, while the womenswear line radiates freshness, with leather goods presented alongside exquisite creations. An exceptional selection that expresses the reinvented essence of Dior”.
Dior is currently inviting customers to book appointments and said it will “extend the experience through a curated selection of exclusive events at the pop-up boutique”.
That includes notebook personalisation with “a nod to Versailles-style gilding, personalised detailing applied by an expert [that] promises to add a truly signature touch”. And there’s also bookmark calligraphy where visitors can add their initials to a bookmark, inspired by the newest Dior Book Tote designs by Anderson.
The news of the pop-up comes in the same week that Dior unveiled its super-sized flagship concept House of Dior Beijing. That five-storey space dwarfs the Selfridges space but underscores the ambitious plans LVMH has for the brand, the huge investment Dior is putting into its global growth and its targeting of key luxury markets.
Lululemon was making headlines last week as its CEO exited but it had more upbeat news on Sunday as Lewis Hamilton made a personal appearance at the Regent Street, London, flagship store to to celebrate the launch of The Lewis Hamilton Edit, a curated 36-piece capsule personally selected by the champion racing driver.
André Maestrini and Lewis Hamilton – Lululemon
Importantly too, joining Hamilton in-store for photos was Lululemon’s new interim co-CEO, André Maestrini, marking his first public appearance in the role and highlighting the company’s focus on innovation, as well as stressing that there’s no vacuum at the top of the company’s leadership tree.
Hamilton became a Lululemon ambassador earlier this year and made an unannounced appearance in the store.
Available exclusively at the Regent Street location and on the brand’s UK webstore, the Edit brings together Hamilton’s favourite menswear and womenswear pieces from the brand’s Winter 2025 collection — “each style chosen for its high performance and elevated aesthetic, all filtered through the distinctive personal style he’s renowned for”.
The appearance may have been unannounced but there were plenty of fans gathered outside to see him in a full look from the Edit as he greeted the crowd, signed autographs, and posed for photos.
The first 100 people in the queue also received Lululemon products signed by Hamilton and he was also helping staff style looks and wrap gifts behind the tills.
Such appearances are hugely important for stores at this time of year as they compete to attract customers.
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