Dive Brief:
- Lelio Gavazza has been appointed as CEO at Tom Ford Fashion and will assume the role effective Sept. 18, according to a Tuesday release.
- Gavazza currently works with LVMH Group, serving as executive vice president of sales and retail at Bulgari. Prior to LVMH, he spent over two years at Chinese menswear company Sharmoon, eleven months of which were spent as CEO. Zegna Group acquired a 50% stake in that company in 2003.
- In his new role, Gavazza will report directly to Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna, chairman and CEO of Zegna Group, which currently holds the license for all Tom Ford fashion, accessories, underwear, fine jewelry, childrenswear, textile and home design products.
Dive Insight:
Estée Lauder Companies completed its purchase of the Tom Ford brand in April, outbidding rival Kering and landing the cosmetics company its first fashion acquisition and largest licensing deal to date. Through the deal, ELC became sole owner of the Tom Ford brand, including its trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
At the deal’s close, Guillaume Jesel was appointed president and CEO of the Tom Ford brand, and Peter Hawkings was named its new creative director.
“I am delighted to welcome Lelio Gavazza as CEO, TOM FORD FASHION,” Jesel said in the release. “The Estée Lauder Companies and TOM FORD have had an exceptional and longstanding relationship with Gildo Zegna and the Zegna Group. We look forward to working closely with Gildo, Lelio, and their teams to take TOM FORD FASHION to its next level in global luxury.”
The Estée Lauder deal included a continuation of Ermenegildo Zegna Group’s long-standing license for Tom Ford menswear, which the company has held since 2006, plus an expansion of that agreement to include all the Tom Ford products now under the group’s license.
“Lelio’s track record of strong global leadership brings outstanding luxury expertise to TOM FORD FASHION across retail management, wholesale distribution, marketing, digital and key markets, including China,” Zegna said in the release. “I have personally known and appreciated Lelio for many years, and I’m confident that his world-class business acumen, deep international experience, and leadership skills will prove invaluable in the development of the TOM FORD FASHION business globally.”
Gavazza will also become part of the senior management of the Zegna Group when he assumes his new position. As CEO, he’ll be responsible for the entire Tom Ford Fashion business, including collection development, merchandising, production, retail and wholesale distribution. He’ll also work with Jesel to ensure “the alignment of fashion with the holistic luxury strategy for the brand,” per the release.
“I am honored to join Zegna Group as its CEO of TOM FORD FASHION and look forward to working with Gildo Zegna and partnering with Guillaume Jesel to continue to foster the growth of TOM FORD at the pinnacle of luxury fashion,” Gavazza said in the release.
Meanwhile, Hawkings is expected to show his debut womenswear spring 2024 collection for Tom Ford during Milan Fashion Week in September. Hawkings, who was founder Tom Ford’s longtime collaborator and has been with the brand for 17 years, started with Ford at Gucci in 1998. He later helped launch the Tom Ford brand and oversaw the menswear division.
Zegna Group is currently in charge of the Tom Ford Fashion business, while ELC oversees the overall brand strategy, and continues to manage its fragrance, cosmetics and skin care products.
