Finance

Siddhartha Shukla, the esteemed deputy CEO of Lanvin, is set to conclude his impactful tenure of more than four years with the luxury fashion house. This significant leadership transition, announced by the company, will see Andy Lew, the newly designated executive president of Lanvin's parent entity, Lanvin Group (formerly Fosun Fashion Group), assume the roles of chairman and CEO of Lanvin starting in January 2025. Lew is poised to provide continuous strategic oversight and support to the brand's leadership teams, ensuring a seamless continuation of its ambitious trajectory.

Lanvin Sees Leadership Shift Amidst Strategic Reorientation and Market Pressures

In a notable development for the high-fashion sector, Siddhartha Shukla, who served as deputy CEO of Lanvin, will be stepping down from his position. The announcement, made by the Lanvin Group on a Friday, indicates that Shukla's departure comes after more than four transformative years with the esteemed French fashion house. His exit is slated for January 2025. Concurrently, Andy Lew, who has been appointed executive president of Lanvin's parent company, Lanvin Group, is set to take on the additional responsibilities of chairman and CEO of Lanvin. Lew will play a pivotal role in guiding the brand's future direction, maintaining strategic continuity, and fostering strong leadership within the organization.

Shukla's journey at Lanvin, which began in December 2021, followed extensive experience in the fashion industry, including a dozen years in marketing at Kering, working with brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent, and an eight-year stint at Theory, culminating as its chief brand officer. His primary mission at Lanvin was to spearhead a comprehensive transformation in the wake of a turbulent period that saw multiple creative directors after the departure of Alber Elbaz in 2015. Under Shukla's guidance, Lanvin underwent a significant redefinition of its brand identity, product approach, retail aesthetic, and visual language. A key achievement included commissioning Steven Meisel for a distinctive black-and-white campaign in 2022, which introduced a new logo designed by M|M Paris. Following Bruno Sialelli's exit in April 2023, Shukla brought in Peter Copping as artistic director in June 2024, a designer renowned for his elegant feminine creations at Nina Ricci and Oscar de la Renta. This strategic hiring marked a 'return to le chic ultime,' or the ultimate chic, for Lanvin, echoing the vision of its founder, Jeanne Lanvin.

Since Copping's arrival, Lanvin has notably rejoined the prestigious Paris Fashion Week calendar and has witnessed encouraging year-on-year sales increases in women's ready-to-wear, footwear, and leather goods. Financially, the brand's sales escalated from €73 million in 2021 to approximately €120 million by 2023. However, the broader market landscape presented challenges. The luxury industry faced a downturn, impacting Lanvin, particularly with the contraction of the sneaker market—a segment where Lanvin's 'Curb' model had been a strong performer. Furthermore, a strategic rationalization of its retail footprint, involving the closure of about a dozen stores primarily in China, led to a projected decrease in sales to around €100 million for 2025, according to industry insiders.

The Lanvin Group, which made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2022, has also felt the repercussions of China's economic slowdown. In February 2026, the group divested its Italian menswear label, Caruso, to MondeVita Italy Srl. The group's portfolio still includes Austrian skinwear specialist Wolford, Italian shoemaker Sergio Rossi, and American knitwear brand St. John. The financial performance of the group reflected these challenges, with revenues declining by 22% in the first half of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024, and EBITDA losses deepening. This leadership announcement closely follows Lanvin's recent show during Paris Fashion Week, which received positive reviews, with Vogue Runway's Sarah Mower noting the abundance of 'great dresses'—a sentiment not seen since the tenure of Alber Elbaz.

The departure of a key executive like Siddhartha Shukla from a brand like Lanvin underscores the dynamic and often challenging nature of the luxury fashion industry. His efforts in revitalizing Lanvin’s brand identity and bringing in a new artistic director were commendable and demonstrably impactful in certain product categories. However, the broader economic climate, particularly the slowdown in key markets like China, highlights that even successful internal strategies can be overshadowed by macroeconomic pressures. This transition also reflects a common trend in fashion, where leadership changes are often accompanied by strategic realignments aimed at navigating evolving market conditions. It will be interesting to observe how Andy Lew's comprehensive oversight will steer Lanvin through these complexities and if the brand can regain its financial momentum while preserving its revitalized creative vision.

In recent months, the makeup world has seen a surge of maximalist aesthetics, ranging from the ethereal eye designs showcased at London Fashion Week to the sparkling pink eyeshadow seen on Zara Larsson and Jennie Kim's under-eye blush application. However, for everyday wear, the beauty community is increasingly embracing more practical and accessible approaches. Leading professional makeup artists Lisa Eldridge, Emily Wood, and Saba Khan have identified five key makeup trends for Spring 2026 that are simple to incorporate into your current routine.

Blue eyeshadow, though seemingly bold, has a consistent presence in beauty history, as noted by Eldridge. Her clientele includes renowned figures such as Alexa Chung and Kate Winslet. Eldridge emphasizes that blue eyeshadow has never truly faded from popularity, citing examples like Elizabeth Taylor's iconic look in Cleopatra and Kate Moss's icy blue smoky eye for Gucci's 1996 spring collection. This enduring appeal suggests blue tones can be timeless when applied thoughtfully.

For Spring 2026, Eldridge advises selecting a blue shade that not only brings you joy but also complements your complexion. She recommends using a small brush for a seamless blend and pairing this statement eye with a touch of mascara to achieve naturally defined lashes. Wood offers an alternative technique, suggesting extending the pigment up to the brow bone, combining it with unexpected matte shades, and finishing with an icy blue hue as a top coat for added dimension.

Another prominent trend is muted blush, applied with a soft, diffused effect. This style involves blending the blush from the apples of the cheeks all the way to the temples. Eldridge often pairs this look with a radiant foundation and coordinating eye and lip makeup to create a cohesive, monochromatic appearance. Khan observes that blush application is constantly adapting to reflect desired moods and personalities, noting a distinct shift towards muted, pastel-toned draping techniques.

The blurred lip trend, popularized by makeup artist Nina Park, has been embraced by celebrities like Lily-Rose Depp, Zoë Kravitz, and Greta Lee. For spring, a buffed red lip offers a fresh take on this style. To achieve this look, begin by lining your lips and gently buffing the liner to soften any harsh edges. Next, apply your chosen lipstick and lightly pat your finger over your lips to ensure the product is well-integrated and provides a diffused finish.

These adaptable trends provide an exciting opportunity to refresh your beauty routine. From the subtle elegance of blue eyeshadow to the soft flush of muted blush and the modern appeal of a blurred red lip, these looks offer versatile options for enhancing your natural beauty. By experimenting with these approaches, you can embrace the vibrant energy of spring with confidence and style.