Yesterday, Chanel has announced the appointment of Simona Cattaneo as the new president of Chanel Fragrance and Beauty, effective January. Cattaneo will join the iconic fashion house in October to transition alongside Anne Kirby, the current president who will retire at the end of the year after 35 years with Chanel.
Cattaneo brings over 30 years of experience in the luxury beauty industry. She has held leadership roles at prominent brands such as Tod’s Group, where she served as general manager, and Coty Inc., where she was president of the luxury division. Her career also includes senior roles at Burberry Beauty and Parfums Christian Dior, as well as starting her journey at L’Oréal. Chanel highlighted Cattaneo’s expertise in managing prestige brands, leading large transformations, and building high-performing teams. She is also recognized for her commitment to inclusion, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.
This leadership transition is part of a broader change at Chanel, following Kirby’s significant contributions to the brand. Since 2018, Kirby has driven growth, creativity, and innovation across fragrance, makeup, and skincare. Her leadership of the Comètes Collective, a group of makeup artists tasked with pushing the boundaries of beauty creation, has furthered Chanel’s influence in the makeup world. Kirby’s focus on research and innovation also led to notable global growth in Chanel’s skincare sector.
The appointment of Cattaneo signals Chanel’s continued focus on maintaining its strong brand identity while adapting to the evolving luxury beauty landscape.
