After YSL, Valerie Hermann takes on new CEO role at Reed Krakoff

After Yves Saint Laurent, Valerie Hermann is taking off for the United States, where she’ll become CEO of Reed Krakoff, a New-York based producer of ready-to-wear and accessories. Hermann starts in her new role April 1, according to WWD. On February 17, PPR, the French luxury goods and retail giant which controls YSL, announced that Hermann was leaving in order to pursue another opportunity in the US. Earlier yesterday, PPR announced that Robert Polet, the chief executive of Gucci Group (which includes all PPR’s luxury brands), would leave the company following a company reorganization.

International buyer numbers up at Milano Unica

Over 20,000 visitors (+2% compared to the February 2010 edition) attended the latest Milano Unica, dedicated to the s/s 2012 collections. International buyers increased significantly (+12%), with a particularly strong showing from China (+298%), Brazil (+60%), Korea and Russia (+43%), the US (+23%), Japan and Spain (+13%) and Germany (+10%). The turnover and exports of the textile sector in 2010 grew 11.8% and 11.6%, respectively over 2009.

Update Gucci Group: Paul Deneve appointed new CEO of Yves Saint Laurent

Further management changes are underway at the highest levels of Gucci Group. After announcing that CEO Robert Polet will leave March 1, as part of a company-wide reorganization (see earlier story), Gucci Group parent PPR said that Valerie Hermann, chief executive of Yves Saint Laurent, will also leave. Hermann, who has been with the company for six years, “has chosen to seize a new career opportunity in the United States,” PPR said in its statement, and will be replaced by Paul Deneve. The new chief executive began his career in the luxury goods industry in 1998, as managing director of Courrèges. He subsequently held senior executive level positions in Nina Ricci and Lanvin. Before entering the luxury goods world, Deneve worked for Exxon and then for Apple Europe.

Polet to leave Gucci Group as part of PPR reorganization

After months of rumors, Gucci Group announced that Robert Polet, chief executive since 2004, will leave as part of a wider corporate reorganization. Polet’s departure, effective March 1, was announced in a release Thursday morning. Along with Polet, YSL brand CEO Valerie Hermann also will leave her role. Starting March, PPR’s Luxury Business Group will report directly to François Henri Pinault, Chairman and chief executive of the French group, and no longer to Polet, whose position has been eliminated. Alexis Babeau, previously COO of Gucci Group, will become deputy CEO of the Luxury Business Group. The new PPR organization will be focused around Sports & Lifestyle on the one hand, Luxury on the other. In the statement, Pinault said: “To carry out this strategy and support the continued growth of our brands, we have decided to put in place a new organizational structure. While preserving the autonomy of our brands, this new framework will enable them to better leverage the Group’s stature to reach their full growth potential.”

Gucci in tie-up with Fiat for limited edition 500

After its debut in the yachting world, with the Aquariva (Ferretti Group) by Gucci, the Italian luxury brand is entering the automotive sector, with a special edition Fiat 500. The car will be presented on Wednesday, February 23, after the fashion show, at the Spazio Diana.

Jean Nouvel to design the Excelsior, Coin’s new concept store opening in Milan

The Coin group has chosen Jean Nouvel as the architect to follow the Excelsior project, a concept store that will open in Milan in September 2011. The artistic direction will be assigned to Antonia Giaciniti, of the homonymous Milanese luxury boutique. It is the first time that the French architect designs a store in this Italian city: he will renovate the exterior façade and the interior spaces of the ex cinema Exclesior in Galleria del Corso, and turn the space into a luxury shopping store.

Gucci takes position against denim sandblasting

Gucci supports the Clean Clothes Campaign (a group of syndicates and NGO’s improving conditions in the global garment industry) against denim sandblasting techniques. The brand is committed to promote relations with these syndicates, NGOs and research institutes to study alternative techniques and abolish the treatment. Levi Strauss and H&M have appealed to the cause, and brands such as G-Star, Lee and Wrangler have turned in favour of it.

Patrizia Pepe: licence agreement with Albisetti Spa

Patrizia Pepe signs a licence agreement with Albisetti Spa for the activewear and beachwear collections. The first will start with the F/W 11-12 with activewear and easywear, the second for the S/S 2012 will have glam swimwear and beach outfits. Distribution will be worlwide and the brand will develop its lifestyle concept after the debut in the perfume world.

Vionnet opens first monobrand location in Kuwait City

High-end French womenswear producer Vionnet will open its first monobrand boutique, in Kuwait City. In a press release Monday, the Paris-based company said the new project was possible thanks to the contribution of franchise partner sheikh Majed Al Sabah. The 70 square meter store, located in the capital’s new high-end 360 Mall, was designed to the specifications of Rodolfo Paglialunga, Vionnet’s creative director. “We are happy to take on this new project,” said Vionnet President and brand co-owner Matteo Marzotto. “It is a very significant step, considering that it takes place less than two years after we presented the first collection.”

Privalia 2010 sales surge 141%, to 168 million euros

Online private buying club Privalia on Monday said 2010 sales surged 141% on the previous year, to 168 million euros, as consumers in all the markets where it operates snapped up fashion products and accessories at bargain prices. In its statement, the company – founded in Spain in 2006 – affirmed that thanks to a recent 70 million euro capital increase, in 2011 it could grow also through acquisitions. In Italy, where Privalia is present since 2008 and where it has 1.3 million registered members, the company’s sales reached 35.43 million euros. In Italy, Privalia said it organizes some 80 sales each month of Italian and international brands.