Kering appoints Romain Spitzer as CEO of Bottega Veneta

Updated 1:17 p.m. ET on July 15

PARIS — Kering has appointed veteran beauty executive Romain Spitzer as chief executive officer of Bottega Veneta, effective September 1.

In his new Milan-based role, Spitzer will report to Kering CEO Luca de Meo and will become a member of Kering's executive committee.

He joins the French luxury group from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, where he most recently served as president and CEO of Fragrance Group LVMH Beauty.

His appointment concludes a monthslong search for a new leader at Bottega Veneta, which had been without a CEO since the departure of Bartolomeo Rongone in March to join Moncler. Rongone's departure was announced in January.

Leadership and Experience

"Throughout his career, Romain Spitzer has consistently nurtured brand appeal, fostered innovation and led high-performing international teams across diverse markets," Kering said in a statement released after market close on Wednesday.

"His knowledge of global luxury markets and his ability to support the long-term growth of luxury houses make him ideally positioned to lead Bottega Veneta through its next phase of development," the company added.

A graduate of ESCP Business School, Spitzer began his career at Guerlain in 1995 as a product manager. After marketing roles at Jean Paul Gaultier Parfums and Yves Saint Laurent Parfums, he joined Parfums Christian Dior in 2006 as head of the fragrance business unit, building a reputation as a perfume expert.

He was instrumental behind Sauvage, the world's bestselling fragrance across both men's and women's categories. The executive is widely regarded in the industry as a strong leader who commands significant respect from his teams.

In 2016, he became president and CEO of LVMH Fragrance Brands (Parfums Givenchy and Kenzo). His responsibilities later expanded to include Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Acqua di Parma, Loewe perfumes, Officine Universelle Buly, and new ventures.

Strategic Context

Spitzer joins Bottega Veneta amid a wide-ranging turnaround effort under de Meo, who has outlined plans to double business from the brand's non-leather goods categories under creative director Louise Trotter.

Kering stated that Spitzer is tasked with further enhancing the brand's desirability, deepening its connection with clients worldwide, and driving retail excellence across markets.

"Bottega Veneta is one of the strongest and most distinctive houses in luxury, with exceptional craftsmanship, a unique creative identity and remarkable growth potential. Romain has the leadership, vision and international experience to unlock the next phase of the house's development. I am confident he will build on its extraordinary strengths and take Bottega Veneta to the next level," de Meo said.

Industry Trends

In recent years, a growing number of fashion and luxury firms have accelerated their recruitment of beauty executives, drawn by the formidable marketing, digital, brand, and consumer engagement skills they develop in the sector.

De Meo had previously recruited several C-suite talents from the automotive industry, where he spent his entire career. Kering recently sold its beauty division to L'Oréal for €4 billion, including the signing of beauty and fragrance licenses for Kering brands.

— With contributions from Jennifer Weil