Jacquemus, on the cusp of an international retail expansion, has tapped Celine North America president Sarah Benady as its next chief executive officer, WWD has learned.
According to market sources, Benady is poised to fill a role vacant since Bastien Daguzan stepped down in December 2023.
Benady has been at the helm of Celine’s North American operations for nearly four years, and also boasts experience in the affordable luxury space, where designer Simon Porte Jacquemus has found his niche.
Before Celine, she spent logged four years as North American president of French fashion chain Ba&sh. Before that, she spent six years at French fashion chain The Kooples, first as international director and then president, according to her LinkedIn profile.
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A graduate of French business school HEC, Benady started her career as a project manager at French department store Printemps.
Jacquemus recently opened freestanding stores in London and New York, as the brand seeks to grow its direct-to-consumer sales, and tell his brand story in physical spaces.
The Paris-based company, founded and owned by the designer, has confirmed it is seeking a minority investor to fund its ongoing retail growth and expansion into beauty.
It is looking for additional funds for its next phase of store openings in 2025 and 2026, and to help it explore the new category, the company has indicated.
Simon Porte Jacquemus has been doing double duty as creative director and CEO since the departure of Daguzan, who went on to join Fear of God in Los Angeles.
Benady and Jacquemus officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
