Tom Ford Fashion names Gavazza its new CEO

Ermenegildo Zegna has named Lelio Gavazza to the newly created role of Tom Ford Fashion CEO, putting him at the helm of the American designer’s fashion business that it acquired under a long-term license last year from Estée Lauder.

An announcement has been expected for some time. Back in April when Lauder named Peter Hawkings as creative director at Tom Ford and Guillaume Jesel as the President and CEO of its overall Tom Ford business, it said that Zegna had appointed a new CEO of the fashion business. It promised the key exec would be announced in July and assume the role in the third quarter.

Sticking to the plan, Gavazza takes up the post on 18 September, reporting directly to Ermenegildo ‘Gildo’ Zegna, who’s Chairman and CEO of Zegna Group. He “will be part of the senior management of the group”.

The company said he’ll “be responsible for the end-to-end of the Tom Ford Fashion business, from collection development to merchandising, through production as well as retail and wholesale distribution”.

Gavazza has over 20 years of experience in global luxury and luxury distribution, joining from LVMH, where he’s currently Executive Vice-President, Sales & Retail at Bulgari. During his time at Bulgari, and prior to his current role, he’s held a series of key regional leadership roles, including MD of Greater China, and MD, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

That experience will be key. It aligns with Zegna’s stated aim of making Tom Ford a top global fashion brand and especially expanding it outside of its core US market.

Gildo Zegna hailed his track record of “strong global leadership” and “outstanding luxury expertise… across retail management, wholesale distribution, marketing, digital and key markets, including China”.

Having known him for some time, he also highlighted his “world-class business acumen, deep international experience, and leadership skills”.

Gavazza “will work closely with” Guillaume Jesel as he runs the wider Tom Ford business for Lauder, “ensuring the alignment of fashion with the holistic luxury strategy for the brand”.

Jessel said that “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”.