Ganni appoints former Balenciaga director as new CEO

Ganni has appointed former Balenciaga deputy CEO Laura du Rusquec as its new CEO, replacing Andrea Baldo, who is stepping down after more than five years in the role after delivering double-digit annual growth and building a retail presence for the Danish contemporary women’s brand.

Nicolaj Reffstrup, co-founder of Ganni, said Baldo, whose long career in fashion has included senior roles at Diesel, Marni and Coccinelle, “has been an integral part of Ganni’s journey, guiding us through both challenges and opportunities with unparalleled dedication led. His vision has been crucial in shaping what Ganni is today. We are extremely grateful for his leadership and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Du Rusquec will be based in the L Catterton brand’s Paris office. Commenting on her appointment, she said: “I am thrilled to be joining Ganni at such a pivotal time and building on the brand’s strong foundation. Ganni’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and their forward-thinking approach to luxury is exactly what the future of fashion needs. I look forward to leading the talented team to new heights and further global expansion.”

She had been with Balenciaga for more than seven years and her career also included several senior roles at Balenciaga’s parent company Kering. “Laura’s extensive experience in EMEA and global markets with a specialty in luxury provides her with unique insights and strategies ideal to lead Ganni into the next phase of growth and brand innovation,” said Eduardo Velasco, partner at private equity house L Catterton, which invests in the brand since 2017.

In a post on Linked-in announcing his departure, Baldo said: “In these more than five years, we have achieved our great ambition to become a truly global fashion player, delivering great responsible products to our #gannigirls community and great returns for our shareholders.

“First and foremost, my thanks go to the talented global teams who made this possible, working hard in Copenhagen, London, Paris, New York, Shanghai and across stores worldwide to execute our strategy.”

Since 2009, Ganni has been owned and run by husband and wife team Ditte Reffstrup and Nicolaj Reffstrup, who have created a global brand known for its quirky design, aesthetics and sustainable credentials. The brand is available globally through high-profile third-party partners and through its website and has recently expanded its own retail presence. It now has five stores in London, including a recently opened new concept store in Marylebone.