Yves Carcelle, the main driver of Louis Vuitton’s fortunes over its recent decades died yesterday, aged 66, following a long struggle with illness.

 

Carcelle had a 20-year tenure as Chief Executive of probably the world’s best known luxury brand. He left the role in 2012 to serve as Chairman of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

 

During his time at the helm of Louis Vuitton Carcelle’s vision and strategy shaped the house into a highly sought-after luxury brand – which has been maintained despite its popularity across a widening consumer profile.

 

In a statement from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Carcelle’s former employer described him as “the artisan of Louis Vuitton’s development worldwide, especially in Asia and Japan”, helping the brand to access new product categories and segments. The luxury house also entered the airport duty free channel for the first time in September 2011 at Incheon Airport under Carcelle’s leadership.

 

DIVERSIFICATION SKILLS

Carcelle – a graduate of France’s Ecole Polytechnique and the prestigious business school, Insead – also oversaw Louis Vuitton’s entry into the world of fashion, through Marc Jacobs’ shows, and also into the jewellery and watchmaking sectors.

 

“It is with deep emotion and regret that I learned of Yves Carcelle’s passing,” says LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault (left). “A tireless traveller, Yves was a pioneer who embodied the image and values of Louis Vuitton.  Always curious, passionate and in motion, he was one of the most inspiring leaders of men and women whom I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

 

“My thoughts today are with Yves’ family, as well as with all his former staff at Louis Vuitton, who will long remember him as a manager and mentor who was accessible, human and sincere.”

 

CAREER

Carcelle began his career with Spontex in 1970 before joining Blenda Pharm laboratories in 1974, where he was appointed Director of the Absorba Division – Poron in 1979 and president of Descamps in 1985.

 

He joined the LVMH group and its Executive Committee in 1989 as Strategic Director, and became Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO a year later. Carcelle was also a board member of the Comité Colbert and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. He was a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor and an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.