Just over a year into Fenty‘s launch, the Paris-based label as founded by Robyn Rihanna Fenty is making some changes at the executive level with news that Bastien Renard has been appointed as managing director for the LVMH-owned label.
The position was previously held by Véronique Gebel, who came to the position as a Louis Vuitton executive with ready-to-wear department expertise. Renard will report to Jean Baptiste Voisin, chief strategy officer at LVMH. Rihanna retains her title as founder, CEO and artistic director.
Perhaps indicating a change in approach, Renard resume is highlighted by his 20 years working for athletic brands Nike and Converse at multiple global headquarters. According to WWD, Rendard joined Fenty without fanfare sometime over the past few months.
Prior to joining Fenty, Renard was vice president and general manager of Nike by You, the brand’s online custom shoe program. Prior to Nike, he was vice president of global footwear at Converse where, according to his LinkedIn profile, he oversaw “Converse’s innovation agenda and all product collaborations with top tear influencers and brands” including JW Anderson, Tyler the Creator, and Miley Cyrus.
A graduate of Stanford University, Renard first joined Nike in 1997 as an intern in Amsterdam. His 23-year-career at the blue chip brand included multiple senior brand director and marketing roles, positions he held while located in the brand’s Portland, Paris and Netherlands offices.
