Lacoste has appointed éric Vallat as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Vallat succeeds Thierry Guibert and will take up his position on September 1, the French fashion company said on Friday.
With more than 30 years of experience in international corporations in the fashion and luxury industry, Vallat has extensive industry knowledge. Vallat comes from the Rémy Cointreau Group, where he is currently still working as a CEO. Previously, he headed Rémy Martin and was responsible for the Fashion & Accessories area at the luxury group Richemont. He also had leadership positions at the French luxury group LVMH, including in the European business of Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior Couture. He was also at the head of the Bonpoint and JM Weston brands.
At Lacoste, Vallat should “build on the existing dynamics” and “True to its identity in a new chapter of growth”, said Guibert in a message.
Change of leadership in a phase of change
Guibert, who remains CEO of the MF Brands Group and the Mouse Frères Group – the parent company of Lacoste – said that it was a “privilege” to have Lacoste over ten years and “to accompany a profound transformation that led the brand into a completely new dimension”.
His decision to concentrate on the management of the group was deliberately made. With Vallat, “a brave leader with a proven track record” is now taking over the management of Lacoste.
The appointment takes place in a transition phase: the brand is currently in a worldwide expansion strategy with a special focus on the US market. In January 2025, Guibert told the Financial Times that Lacoste wanted to increase his annual turnover to four billion euros – among other things through new stores, concessions and the recovery of license control.
These growth ambitions follow a successful 2023, in which Lacoste recorded a sales increase from eight percent to around three billion euros. Guibert was confident that the brand can reach an annual growth rate of five to ten percent in the coming years.
This article was used with digital tools translated.
Fashionunited uses artificial intelligence to accelerate the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us make the international reporting of fashionunited a German -speaking readership quickly and comprehensively accessible. Articles that have been translated using AI-based tools are read and carefully edited by our editor: Correcting inside before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me by email to [email protected]