Cédric Charbit
Chief executive of Saint Laurent (since January 2025)
Cédric Charbit is the chief executive of Saint Laurent, the Kering owned Paris house, since January 2025. He previously led Balenciaga for more than eight years and began his Kering career in product strategy at Saint Laurent.
| Role | Chief executive, Saint Laurent |
|---|---|
| Since | January 2025 |
| Previously | Chief executive, Balenciaga (2016 to 2025) |
| Joined Kering | 2012 |
| Education | ESC Toulouse |
Who is Cédric Charbit?
Cédric Charbit is a luxury fashion executive and the chief executive of Saint Laurent, one of the leading houses in the Kering group, which also owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga. Since taking up the role in January 2025 he has led the house alongside its creative director Anthony Vaccarello. Before that he spent more than eight years as chief executive of Balenciaga, giving him experience of running two of Kering's best known Paris houses.
Career
Charbit is a graduate in finance and business of ESC Toulouse. His early career included the role of deputy buying director at the Paris department store Printemps and vice president at Emilio Pucci. He joined Kering in 2012 as product strategy director at Saint Laurent and later became executive vice president of marketing and product for the house.
In 2016 he was appointed chief executive of Balenciaga, a role he held until January 2025. In November 2024 Kering announced that he would succeed Francesca Bellettini as chief executive of Saint Laurent from 2 January 2025, while Gianfranco Gianangeli, previously chief commercial officer of Saint Laurent, took over at Balenciaga. At the time both chief executives reported to Bellettini as Kering deputy chief executive for brand development.
Influence on the fashion business
Charbit's career combines merchandising, product strategy and general management. Key elements include:
- A background in buying and product strategy before leading a house
- Leading Balenciaga as chief executive for more than eight years
- Returning to Saint Laurent, where he had built his Kering career
- Working closely with creative directors to turn runway concepts into commercial products
His appointment at Saint Laurent also returned him to the house where he had built his Kering career, giving him detailed knowledge of its product, its teams and its creative identity before taking charge.
Why it matters
Saint Laurent is one of Kering's most important brands, and its performance is closely watched as the group works to restore growth. Charbit's move from Balenciaga to Saint Laurent illustrates how luxury groups rotate experienced chief executives between houses, and his background in buying, product strategy and marketing reflects the growing importance of merchandising discipline in a slower luxury market.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the CEO of Saint Laurent?
Cédric Charbit has been chief executive of Saint Laurent since January 2025. He succeeded Francesca Bellettini after more than eight years as chief executive of Balenciaga.
What is Cédric Charbit known for?
He is known for leading Balenciaga from 2016 to 2025 and for his background in product strategy and marketing at Saint Laurent, where he started his Kering career in 2012.