Stéphane de La Faverie has been appointed as the chief executive officer of The Estée Lauder Companies, succeeding Fabrizio Freda, who announced his retirement earlier this year. With a tenure at Estée Lauder that began over a decade ago, de La Faverie served as executive group president, overseeing several prestigious brands, including Estée Lauder, Jo Malone London, The Ordinary, and Le Labo. His experience includes executive roles at renowned beauty brands such as Giorgio Armani, Lancôme, Ralph Lauren, and Biotherm, making him a seasoned leader in the industry.
The transition in leadership comes at a crucial time for Estée Lauder, which has been navigating a restructuring effort amid declining sales and recent organizational changes. William Lauder, who will step down as executive chairman while remaining chair of the board, expressed confidence in de La Faverie’s capabilities, highlighting his deep understanding of the company’s heritage and culture. This strategic appointment is expected to drive long-term growth as the company adapts to current challenges, particularly in the wake of significant losses in its most recent financial report.
As Estée Lauder embarks on this new chapter, it continues to focus on revitalizing its brand portfolio and executing transformational strategies to address the evolving market landscape, particularly in regions facing recovery challenges, such as China and Asia travel retail.