Latest news with #NicolasTopiol
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Longtime CEO of Christian Lacroix Steps Down
Nicolas Topiol has stepped down as chief executive officer of Christian Lacroix after an eventful 20-year tenure spent shepherding the brand through multiple transformations. Topiol confirmed his departure to WWD following a wistful post on his personal LinkedIn account. More from WWD EXCLUSIVE: Lacoste Has a New CEO - and He Comes From Cognac Jewelry Brand DoDo Has Named a CEO Celine North America Has a New President 'Bold, baroque creativity can meet the rigor of a sustainable business model,' said the executive, who joined Lacroix in 2005 when Falic Group acquired the company from LVMH Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton. 'Twenty years later, the maison stands strong, resilient, profitable, desirable and protected. It has weathered crises. Shifted models. Changed markets. Passed through hands. Yet remained immovably important.' Topiol said his departure was planned after a transition period in the wake of another changing of hands, from Falic Group to Spanish company Sociedad Textil Lonia, or STL. A successor has not been named. Contacted by WWD, a spokesperson for STL said 'the responsibility has been fully assumed by the STL headquarters, as the current Christian Lacroix team remains relatively small.' One of Topiol's biggest decisions came in 2009 when Lacroix fell into administration after accumulating an estimated $150 million in losses since its 1987 inception by the namesake couturier. The executive decided to exit the costly ready-to-wear and couture businesses to focus on a few licensed categories, finding traction with fashion accessories, home furnishings and lifestyle products. Topiol said he would now devote himself to his role as president of Bechert Corp., a private firm that advises on M&A, strategic repositioning, turnarounds and brand management. Meanwhile, the founding designer continues to dedicate himself to costume design for top theater and opera companies across Europe, in addition to designing the Desigual x M. Christian Lacroix line. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: Maje Names Charlotte Tasset Ferrec CEO Nadja Swarovski Exits Family Company Amid Ongoing Corporate Shakeup Aeffe MD Exits Fashion Group
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
After 20 years, Nicolas Topiol leaves Christian Lacroix; STL takes over
Nicolas Topiol is stepping down as CEO of Christian Lacroix after nearly 20 years of leadership. He confirmed his departure in a LinkedIn post, as first reported by WWD. The transition marks the completion of a planned handover to Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL), the Galician company behind CH Carolina Herrera and Purificación García. STL, in which Puig holds a 25% stake, became Christian Lacroix's majority shareholder in January 2025. 'When I took over Christian Lacroix in 2005, many already saw it as a relic,' Nicolas Topiol wrote in his LinkedIn farewell. 'But we brought it back to relevance—honoring its heritage while shaping its future.' He highlighted the brand's expansion into licensing, lifestyle categories, and retail, all without compromising its core identity. Topiol said he departs 'with pride,' describing Christian Lacroix as 'strong, resilient, profitable, desirable, and protected.' He emphasized that the brand had remained 'unshakable' despite economic downturns, changes in ownership, and shifting business strategies. Moving forward, Topiol will focus on his role as president of Bechert Corporation, a private consulting firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Over nearly 20 years, he helped steer Christian Lacroix through dramatic evolution. 'We weathered crises, rebuilt the foundation, restructured operations, and led a successful handover,' he said, reflecting on his tenure. Christian Lacroix was founded in 1987 by its namesake designer in partnership with LVMH, while Lacroix was still creative director at Jean Patou. The brand quickly gained fame for its bold, baroque aesthetic—richly influenced by Lacroix's hometown of Arles, with Spanish flourishes, vivid colors, and theatrical silhouettes. In 2005, LVMH sold the label to U.S.-based travel retail group Falic. The 2009 financial crisis severely impacted the business, pushing it into receivership. Though the brand avoided liquidation, it shuttered its couture and ready-to-wear operations and pivoted to a licensing-based model. That same year, Christian Lacroix exited the house to pursue theatrical costume design for opera and stage.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
After 20 years, Nicolas Topiol leaves Christian Lacroix; STL takes over
Nicolas Topiol is stepping down as CEO of Christian Lacroix after nearly 20 years of leadership. He confirmed his departure in a LinkedIn post, as first reported by WWD. The transition marks the completion of a planned handover to Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL), the Galician company behind CH Carolina Herrera and Purificación García. STL, in which Puig holds a 25% stake, became Christian Lacroix's majority shareholder in January 2025. 'When I took over Christian Lacroix in 2005, many already saw it as a relic,' Nicolas Topiol wrote in his LinkedIn farewell. 'But we brought it back to relevance—honoring its heritage while shaping its future.' He highlighted the brand's expansion into licensing, lifestyle categories, and retail, all without compromising its core identity. Topiol said he departs 'with pride,' describing Christian Lacroix as 'strong, resilient, profitable, desirable, and protected.' He emphasized that the brand had remained 'unshakable' despite economic downturns, changes in ownership, and shifting business strategies. Moving forward, Topiol will focus on his role as president of Bechert Corporation, a private consulting firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Over nearly 20 years, he helped steer Christian Lacroix through dramatic evolution. 'We weathered crises, rebuilt the foundation, restructured operations, and led a successful handover,' he said, reflecting on his tenure. Christian Lacroix was founded in 1987 by its namesake designer in partnership with LVMH, while Lacroix was still creative director at Jean Patou. The brand quickly gained fame for its bold, baroque aesthetic—richly influenced by Lacroix's hometown of Arles, with Spanish flourishes, vivid colors, and theatrical silhouettes. In 2005, LVMH sold the label to U.S.-based travel retail group Falic. The 2009 financial crisis severely impacted the business, pushing it into receivership. Though the brand avoided liquidation, it shuttered its couture and ready-to-wear operations and pivoted to a licensing-based model. That same year, Christian Lacroix exited the house to pursue theatrical costume design for opera and stage.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
After 20 years, Nicolas Topiol leaves Christian Lacroix; STL takes over
Nicolas Topiol is stepping down as CEO of Christian Lacroix after nearly 20 years of leadership. He confirmed his departure in a LinkedIn post, as first reported by WWD. The transition marks the completion of a planned handover to Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL), the Galician company behind CH Carolina Herrera and Purificación García. STL, in which Puig holds a 25% stake, became Christian Lacroix's majority shareholder in January 2025. 'When I took over Christian Lacroix in 2005, many already saw it as a relic,' Nicolas Topiol wrote in his LinkedIn farewell. 'But we brought it back to relevance—honoring its heritage while shaping its future.' He highlighted the brand's expansion into licensing, lifestyle categories, and retail, all without compromising its core identity. Topiol said he departs 'with pride,' describing Christian Lacroix as 'strong, resilient, profitable, desirable, and protected.' He emphasized that the brand had remained 'unshakable' despite economic downturns, changes in ownership, and shifting business strategies. Moving forward, Topiol will focus on his role as president of Bechert Corporation, a private consulting firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Over nearly 20 years, he helped steer Christian Lacroix through dramatic evolution. 'We weathered crises, rebuilt the foundation, restructured operations, and led a successful handover,' he said, reflecting on his tenure. Christian Lacroix was founded in 1987 by its namesake designer in partnership with LVMH, while Lacroix was still creative director at Jean Patou. The brand quickly gained fame for its bold, baroque aesthetic—richly influenced by Lacroix's hometown of Arles, with Spanish flourishes, vivid colors, and theatrical silhouettes. In 2005, LVMH sold the label to U.S.-based travel retail group Falic. The 2009 financial crisis severely impacted the business, pushing it into receivership. Though the brand avoided liquidation, it shuttered its couture and ready-to-wear operations and pivoted to a licensing-based model. That same year, Christian Lacroix exited the house to pursue theatrical costume design for opera and stage.
Fashion Network
03-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
After 20 years, Nicolas Topiol leaves Christian Lacroix; STL takes over
Nicolas Topiol is stepping down as CEO of Christian Lacroix after nearly 20 years of leadership. He confirmed his departure in a LinkedIn post, as first reported by WWD. The transition marks the completion of a planned handover to Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL), the Galician company behind CH Carolina Herrera and Purificación García. STL, in which Puig holds a 25% stake, became Christian Lacroix's majority shareholder in January 2025. 'When I took over Christian Lacroix in 2005, many already saw it as a relic,' Nicolas Topiol wrote in his LinkedIn farewell. 'But we brought it back to relevance—honoring its heritage while shaping its future.' He highlighted the brand's expansion into licensing, lifestyle categories, and retail, all without compromising its core identity. Topiol said he departs 'with pride,' describing Christian Lacroix as 'strong, resilient, profitable, desirable, and protected.' He emphasized that the brand had remained 'unshakable' despite economic downturns, changes in ownership, and shifting business strategies. Moving forward, Topiol will focus on his role as president of Bechert Corporation, a private consulting firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Over nearly 20 years, he helped steer Christian Lacroix through dramatic evolution. 'We weathered crises, rebuilt the foundation, restructured operations, and led a successful handover,' he said, reflecting on his tenure. Christian Lacroix was founded in 1987 by its namesake designer in partnership with LVMH, while Lacroix was still creative director at Jean Patou. The brand quickly gained fame for its bold, baroque aesthetic—richly influenced by Lacroix's hometown of Arles, with Spanish flourishes, vivid colors, and theatrical silhouettes. In 2005, LVMH sold the label to U.S.-based travel retail group Falic. The 2009 financial crisis severely impacted the business, pushing it into receivership. Though the brand avoided liquidation, it shuttered its couture and ready-to-wear operations and pivoted to a licensing-based model. That same year, Christian Lacroix exited the house to pursue theatrical costume design for opera and stage.
