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MILAN — Kering is reshuffling its C-suite with internal changes.
Mehdi Benabadji, chief executive officer of Brioni since January 2020, is moving on to Ginori 1735 as CEO, and Federico Arrigoni, most recently deputy CEO and Asia-Pacific president of Saint Laurent, will succeed Benabadji at Brioni. Both appointments are effective immediately.
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Benabadji will report to Jean-Marc Duplaix, Kering’s deputy CEO and chief operating officer, while Arrigoni will report to Francesca Bellettini, Kering deputy CEO in charge of brand development.
Arrigoni joined Kering in 2006 at Gucci and was appointed subsequently worldwide human resources director at Saint Laurent in 2015. Since then he has held key international positions at the storied French brand such as Asia Pacific president and chief commercial officer. In 2023 he was appointed Saint Laurent deputy CEO, directly overseeing all industrial operations and commercial activities for the brand.
He began his career at Decathlon in 1996, and in 2002, he moved to Autogrill as HR manager. In 2004, he was appointed Europe HR manager at Dolce & Gabbana.
“I am proud to see Federico becoming CEO of Brioni,” said Bellettini. “I trust that his extensive knowledge of the industry and his strong international experience make him the best profile to drive Brioni into the next phase of its development, building on the house’s remarkable history and achievements.”
Benabadji joined Kering in 2003. He was previously chief operating officer of the group, in charge of the group’s logistics and industrial activities. The executive has also worked for LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton label Berluti and Hermès International’s crystal glasswear brand Saint-Louis. He was temporarily in charge of Ginori after the departure of Giovanni Giunchedi as CEO in 2019.
“Ginori 1735 is a gem of Italian savoir-faire in porcelain, tableware and decoration, and I am glad that Mehdi will bring his deep understanding of traditional craftsmanship as well as his strong experience in international brand development to the house,” said Duplaix. “I am sure that he will help Ginori 1735 reach the further stage in its global growth.”
Brioni, designed by Norbert Stumpfl since October 2018, is marking its 80th anniversary in 2025. Embracing the younger generation and determined to nurture the tailors of tomorrow, Brioni — which has been controlled by Kering since 2011— in October unveiled the Nazareno Fonticoli School of Haute Tailoring, further strengthening the close relationship of the company with the Penne town, where it was founded, and the Abruzzo territory. Stumpfl has succeeded in shaping a precise and elevated design strategy for the brand, and while tailored suits are still Brioni’s bestsellers, the designer has been adding more casual looks and has expanded the knitwear offer.