Fabien Lyonnet

Wholesale and retail development strategy, Apparel and Footwear expert. Ex. Ralph Lauren ; Lacoste ; Courir

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About

+15 years experience in sales and buying Footwear, apparel, sportswear, premium, luxury Footwear specialist, international retail & wholesale environment. Key account manager and business developper. What drives me ? • Understanding consumption habits and predict market trends • Identify key products and brands to meet the demand • Embracing new challenges and creating business opportunities • Contributing and having impact on the business’s trajectory • Empowering individuals by developing their strengths • Forging and nurturing strategic partnerships • Thriving in fast-paced and collaborative environments

Experience

  • Fondateur at EAST BLUE.
    May 2026 - Present · 2 mos

    Dubai-based brand agency and consulting studio specialized in fashion, footwear and lifestyle brands. Focused on brand development, wholesale distribution, strategic partnerships and market expansion across the Middle East. Combining 15+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, sales and business development to help brands grow with the right positioning, network and product strategy.

  • Fondateur at FL Advisory
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    Commercial, buying and merchandising senior consultant. Fashion (Footwear and apparel) - Ralph Lauren Footwear : business development, people management. - Flender group : sales and business development, wholesale and retail development. Strategy, organisation.

  • Head of Business Development at Flender Group
    Jun 2025 - Apr 2026 · 11 mos

    Leading Business Development at Flender Group. Driving growth and strategic partnerships across the Middle East, Africa, India, Turkey and CIS regions. My role focuses on fostering strong brand relationships with our portfolio of international partners including Carhartt WIP, ARTE Antwerp, thisisneverthat, Gramicci, Butter Goods, AND WANDER, District Vision, EDWIN, MARKET, HUF, RIPNDIP, Karl Kani, Jason Markk, TwoJeys and KOMONO, while continuously identifying new brands and market opportunities to expand our footprint. I lead the development of business processes and operational improvements to support scalable growth, strengthen our presence with retail partners, and unlock commercial opportunities across the region.

  • Regional wholesale sales manager Footwear Underwear Golf France Belgium Netherlands and Luxembourg at Ralph Lauren
    Oct 2021 - May 2025 · 3 yrs 8 mos

    Scope: Wholesale / FRANCE BELGIUM NETHERLANDS LUXEMBOURG > 250 partners >20M€/y sell in. Team Management : 4 sales including senior sales associates and regional agent. Multi account portfolio : Key accounts management (Courir, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps…), e-com digital accounts and multibrand independant stores (generalists, footwear specialists, underwear specialists, golf specialists and green grass) Business development : Achieve steady growth by developing the régional commercial strategy => +80% growth in 3 years Build and consolidate strong partnerships Lead key account trade term negotiations. Active participation in product development for footwear : Consultant role for worldwide footwear merch and product development : long term product lifecycle management, collection consistency, identify regional trends (shapes, materials and colorways), gap filling, price policy.

  • Category manager / Senior buyer men footwear at COURIR
    Jun 2017 - Sep 2021 · 4 yrs 4 mos

    Scope: Retail / EUROPE / >350 stores + e-com > 300M€/y retail sales / >15 brands. Team management : 1 buying assistant and 1 intern. Responsible for the men’s footwear offer. Partnership with international brands : Nike, Adidas, New balance, Asics, Converse, Timberland, Lacoste, Polo RL… Maximizing sell out via dynamic assortment strategy, market analysis, trends forecast, sales performance and action plan : • Monitor product assortment • Manage and secure OTB • Proactive merchandising and marketing strategy according to brands and market trends. • Design exclusive products with marketing action plans • Project management for exclusive collaborations with brands (Reebok x LA HAINE, Asics x Naruto, Saucony x Bleu de Paname, Adidas x Ed Banger) • Source new brands and products