Chanel, the renowned French luxury brand, has made an exciting announcement regarding its United States region. Stéphane Blanchard, a long-term manager within the company, has been appointed as the new president of this key region. This decision showcases Chanel’s dedication to recognizing and promoting internal talent. With over 30 years of experience at Chanel, Blanchard currently holds the position of general manager of Chanel Korea and has a strong background in international business.
Blanchard’s appointment will officially take effect on September 1, 2023. He will report directly to Leena Nair, the global CEO of Chanel, and will become a part of the company’s global leadership team. This news comes shortly after the announcement of the departure of John Galantic, the former president and COO of Chanel, Inc., after his long tenure of sixteen years with the company. Galantic will remain in his position until the end of June.
During his impressive seven-year tenure leading Chanel in South Korea, Blanchard implemented various transformative initiatives in areas such as talent development, customer engagement, retail flexibility, and sustainability. These efforts played a significant role in driving business growth. The brand also commends Blanchard for his leadership in the digital and data processing domains across the Asia-Pacific region. Chanel recognizes Blanchard’s versatility and agility as a leader, as well as his multicultural perspective. The company highlights his ability to build strong teams and consistently achieve solid performance in multiple markets. Prior to his time in South Korea, Blanchard held positions as general manager of Chanel Russia and CIS, as well as Chanel Germany.
The United States market holds great importance for Chanel, and this appointment signifies the brand’s renewed focus on this crucial market. To celebrate this new chapter with the United States, Chanel has chosen Los Angeles as the location to unveil its 2023/24 cruise collection. The highly-anticipated fashion show is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9 and will be a significant event in the brand’s return to California. This marks sixteen years since Chanel last showcased its cruise collection in the heart of the Santa Monica airport with the legendary Karl Lagerfeld at the helm.
Chanel’s decision to promote Stéphane Blanchard as the president of the United States region demonstrates the brand’s commitment to internal talent and their confidence in his ability to further strengthen their presence and growth in this important market. With his extensive international experience and proven leadership capabilities, Blanchard is well-prepared to take on this new challenge and contribute to Chanel’s continued success.
Useful links:
1. Chanel Official Website
2. Vogue Fashion Shows
