Editor’s Note
This article has been updated to reflect LVMH’s announcement of a planned leadership transition at Bvlgari, with Laura Burdese set to become CEO in July 2026.
On December 18, French luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton announced the appointment of Laura Burdese as Chief Executive Officer of its Italian high jewelry Maison Bvlgari. Her appointment will take effect on July 1, 2026.
Burdese has served as Deputy CEO of Bvlgari since July 2024 and will assume the top role following an approximately two-year transition period. As part of this leadership change, current CEO Jean-Christophe Babin will step down from his position but will continue to play a key role within the Maison as Chairman of the Bvlgari Board, CEO of the Bvlgari Hotel business unit, and President of the Bvlgari Foundation.
Burdese joined the LVMH Group in 2016 and initially served as CEO of the Italian fragrance Maison Acqua di Parma. She joined Bvlgari in 2022, where she oversaw marketing and communications, leading the brand’s recent transformation and elevation. Her contributions were recognized with her promotion to Deputy CEO in 2024.
Commenting on the appointment in the official press release, Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH Group Managing Director and CEO of LVMH Watches & Jewelry, stated:
Bianchi also paid tribute to Babin, who has held senior leadership roles at TAG Heuer and Bvlgari for more than 25 years:
During Babin’s tenure, Bvlgari significantly strengthened its presence in both high jewelry and watchmaking. In the watch division, the Maison gained global recognition through the Octo Finissimo collection, culminating in the launch of the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC in 2024, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch.
Bvlgari has also reinforced its industrial capabilities with the expansion of its production site in Valenza, Italy, establishing an integrated system that spans manufacturing, craftsmanship training, and talent development within the country. Today, Bvlgari operates what it describes as the world’s largest single-brand jewelry manufacturing facility.
This CEO transition is positioned as a strategic leadership move that ensures continuity while guiding Bvlgari into its next phase of growth, building on its heritage as an iconic Roman high jeweler. Under Burdese’s leadership, the Maison’s next chapter will be closely watched by the global luxury industry.
