title: “Bottega Veneta Gets a New CEO: Kering Bets on LVMH Veteran Romain Spitzer” source: https://internationalleathermaker.com/kering-appoints-romain-spitzer-as-bottega-veneta-ceo/ date: 2026-07-27

Bottega Veneta Gets a New CEO: Kering Bets on LVMH Veteran Romain Spitzer

Kering has made its move. Romain Spitzer, currently President and CEO of the Fragrance Group at LVMH Beauty, will take the helm at Bottega Veneta on September 1, 2026. The appointment sends a clear signal about Kering’s priorities for one of its most important luxury houses — and about the competitive dynamics reshaping the upper echelons of the luxury industry.

Spitzer brings more than three decades of luxury sector experience to the role. His career reads like a tour of LVMH’s crown jewels: Guerlain, Yves Saint Laurent Parfums, Parfums Christian Dior, and LVMH Fragrance Brands. He’ll need every bit of that experience, because Bottega Veneta sits at a critical juncture. The brand, famous for its intrecciato woven leather goods and understated luxury aesthetic, has been one of Kering’s brightest spots in recent years — but the luxury landscape is shifting beneath everyone’s feet.

Kering CEO Luca de Meo, who himself is relatively new to the top job, was effusive in his endorsement. “Bottega Veneta is one of the strongest and most distinctive Houses in luxury, with exceptional craftsmanship, a unique creative identity and remarkable growth potential,” he said. “Romain has the leadership, vision and international experience to unlock the next phase of the House’s development.”

The emphasis on “craftsmanship” is deliberate. Bottega Veneta’s identity is inseparable from its leather goods heritage. The brand’s artisans in Vicenza produce some of the most sought-after handbags in the world — the Cabat, the Knot, the recently revived Drop bag. Unlike Gucci, which leans on fashion-forward designs and celebrity endorsements, Bottega Veneta’s appeal rests on tactile, technical mastery of leather. A CEO who understands that DNA — or at least respects it — is essential.

Spitzer’s mandate, as described by Kering, focuses on “strengthening the brand’s desirability, enhancing client relationships and driving retail excellence.” Translation: more direct-to-consumer investment, better store experiences, and tighter control over the customer journey. The luxury industry has been moving aggressively toward vertical integration for years, and Bottega Veneta is no exception. Expect to see accelerated boutique openings, particularly in Asia, and a continued pullback from wholesale partnerships that dilute brand exclusivity.

The poaching from LVMH is also symbolically significant. Kering has spent the last several years watching LVMH absorb Tiffany, consolidate its dominance, and widen the gap between the two luxury conglomerates. Bringing in a senior LVMH executive to run one of Kering’s flagship houses is both a practical talent acquisition and a statement of intent. Kering isn’t conceding the luxury arms race.

For the leather industry specifically, Bottega Veneta matters. The brand is one of the largest consumers of high-quality Italian leather, working with tanneries in the Vicenza and Santa Croce districts. Any shift in Bottega’s strategy — toward new product categories, different materials, or altered production volumes — has downstream effects on Italy’s tanning sector. Spitzer’s background in fragrances rather than leather goods means he’ll be leaning heavily on the existing craftsmanship team. Whether he protects and nurtures that capability, or pushes for efficiency and diversification, will be closely watched in Vicenza.

Source: International Leather Maker