Galeries Lafayette names new exec in charge of fashion and beauty offer

By

Marion Deslandes

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Nov 19, 2018

French department store group Galeries Lafayette has created a new senior executive post, putting the former CEO of Lancel, Marianne Romestain, in charge of the product range and purchases for ready-to-wear, accessories and beauty for the Galeries Lafayette and BHV Marais department stores. Romestain’s remit comprises two categories, ready-to-wear and assorted accessories, which were previously the responsibility of Elisabeth Cazorla and Guillaume Pats.

The Galeries Lafayette group has tapped an experienced manager for the new position. Between 2014 and June 2018, Romestain was CEO of French leather goods label Lancel, having held the same role at the Gérard Darel group between 2011 and 2013. She previously worked for the Fast Retailing group, from 2005 to 2011, as general manager of Comptoir des Cotonniers and later also of Princesse tam.tam. Romestain, 51, is a graduate of the ENSAE university in Paris, and started her career in business with consulting firm Bossard in 1990, before joining Cartier in 1996.

At the Galeries Lafayette group, Romestain will be tasked with “bolstering the ongoing transformation by making the online and in-store product range unique, strengthening the partnership with brands and boosting the appeal of the Galeries Lafayette's own labels.” Romestain has joined the group's executive committee and will report to Nicolas Houzé, general manager of Galeries Lafayette and BHV Marais.

Her appointment means that two senior managers will instead leave the executive committee. Guillaume Pats, who joined Galeries Lafayette in 2010 and was in charge of the accessories and specialist range (beauty, perfumery, luggage etc.) is leaving the group. Elisabeth Cazorla, formerly in charge of ready-to-wear purchases, will take on a new role, outside of the Galeries Lafayette - BHV Marais department stores: she will oversee the group's off-price retail business, including the Bazarchic event sales website and the Galeries Lafayette’s outlet store network.