#BoF500 – The New Class: Executives

LONDON, United Kingdom — The global fashion business is animated by the ideas, emotions and actions of a core community of influential insiders. Since 2013, The Business of Fashion has been hand-curating a list of these select influencers, resulting in the annual BoF 500. Each year, we blend our own on-the-ground intelligence with hundreds of nominations from current and former BoF 500 members, unearthing interesting new names from across the world.

This year, the BoF 500 is more diverse than ever before, with 113 new members representing every exciting facet of this trillion-dollar industry. They join a host of established names, from designers, executives and retailers to media professionals, technology entrepreneurs, models and muses. Together, these are the people shaping the global fashion industry in 2016. Here are the 18 newly inducted executives.

Alison Loehnis — President In-Season, Yoox Net-a-Porter Group

Tasked by Federico Marchetti to lead Net-a-Porter in its new incarnation as a part of the Yoox Net-a-Porter Group, Loehnis has been with the business since 2007.

Chris Gay — President, Society Management

A leading talent scout, Gay has worked with some of the biggest names in modelling including Naomi Campbell, Liu Wen, and Natalia Vodianova.

Rocha is rapidly expanding his family's label by tapping the growing affordable segment of the Brazilian market.

Geoffroy De La Bourdonnaye — President Director General, Chloé

The French executive previously spearheaded the turnaround of London department store Liberty's fortunes and has been working his magic at Chloé since 2010.

Gian Giacomo Ferraris — Chief Executive Officer, Roberto Cavalli

Credited with returning Versace to profitability within two years, Ferraris is now turning his experienced eye to Roberto Cavalli.

Guram Gvasalia — Chief Executive Officer, Vetements

The Georgian-born businessman has shaken up the luxury industry with the subversive brand he runs with his brother.

Jacopo Venturini — Chief Merchandising Officer, Gucci

James Ferragamo — Women's and Men's Shoes and Leather Goods Division Director, Ferragamo

As the third-generation member of the family that founded the Italian shoe brand, he is following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather in leading the company.

Kevin Plank — Chief Executive Officer, Under Armour

The US entrepreneur has built one of the world's most successful sportswear companies in less than 20 years. 

Luigi Maramotti — Chairman, Max Mara

The Italian businessman has overseen the company's rapid expansion into emerging markets like China, Russia, and Brazil.

Marco Gobbetti — Chief Executive Officer, Burberry

The Italian executive has a strong track record in leading luxury companies, most notably at Céline, where, together with Phoebe Philo, he generated double-digit growth.

Masahiro Okafuji — Chief Executive & President, Itochu Corporation

A pioneer of the fashion licensing and textiles business in Japan, under Okafuji's leadership, Itochu has rebalanced its business portfolio towards consumer-facing businesses.

Mohamed Alabbar — Investor

The business mogul who built the world's tallest building and the Dubai Mall recently invested more than €100 million in Yoox Net-a-Porter.

Nicolas and Guillaume Houzé – Chief Executive & Image and Communications Director, Galeries Lafayette

The dynamic brothers' willingness to think differently is positioning their family's iconic 100-year-old store firmly towards the future.

Park Seo-Won – Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Doosan Corporation 

As the heir apparent to a Fortune 500 business empire, this vice president is growing a vast retail network in his native South Korea.

Sabrina Fung — Group Managing Director, Fung Retailing Group

The daughter of Dr Victor K. Fung stepped out from behind the scenes to become the leader of her family's brand portfolio, which includes Sonia Rykiel, Gieves & Hawkes, Hardy Amies, and Kilgour.

Sanjay Kapoor – Managing Director, Genesis Luxury

One of India's most established retail businessmen, he became a gateway figure into the market and has franchise agreements with Armani, Bottega Veneta, Jimmy Choo, Paul Smith, and Coach, among others.

Victor Luis – Chief Executive Officer, Coach 

The executive has overseen a gradual turnaround at the American giant, restoring the brand back to growth.

A collectable directory of the people shaping the global fashion industry in 2016 is included in the fourth annual BoF 500 special print edition. Click here to order your copy.

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