Daily Front Row

2012 December 18

Michael Burke Replaces Jordi Constans at Louis Vuitton

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(NEW YORK) Louis Vuitton's recently-minted chief executive officer Jordi Constans is leaving his post, citing medical reasons for the swift departure. Constans first joined Vuitton in September 2011. Last month, he succeeded longtime CEO Yves Carcelle, who helmed the French house for more than two decades and is currently serving on the executive committee while also attending to his duties as chairman of Paris' Foundation Louis Vuitton, a Frank Gehry-designed art museum set to open in 2013. Prior to his Vuitton experience, Constans served as the executive vice president at French food behemoth Danone SA in the dairy product division and sat on the company's executive committee. 

Bulgari CEO Michael Burke will replace Constans, effective tomorrow. Burke's appointment at Louis Vuitton serves as a homecoming for the executive. After a plummy position as worldwide managing director at Christian Dior Couture in 1986, Burke served as president and CEO of Louis Vuitton North America from 1993 until 1997. A few years later, Burke switched camps, landing at Fendi in 2003 to take over as CEO and chairman. Since last February, the helmsman has overseen Bulgari. No replacement has been named at the Rome-based luxury giant.

LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault spoke of Constans' exit in a release: "During his time with Louis Vuitton Jordi Constans has shown remarkable leadership which has earned him the respect of the entire team...On behalf of the entire group I wish Jordi a full recovery."