Post by SMART FASHION COUNCIL

KYLIE JENNER JUST HIRED A BALENCIAGA AND GANNI VETERAN AS KHY'S CEO Laura du Rusquec joins Khy. She left GANNI at the end of April after two years as CEO, and before that spent more than seven years at Balenciaga rising from chief of staff to deputy CEO, playing a central role in the house's international expansion under Cédric Charbit. The biography she brings to Khy is the most complete available for the brief Jenner has set. ESSEC Business School. Morgan Stanley. Gucci Group as senior strategy manager. Kering's Couture and Leather Goods division leading development and M&A. Pomellato as global director of brand, marketing, and merchandising. Back to Kering as strategy director. Then Balenciaga — seven years, five titles, from chief of staff through EMEA president to deputy CEO. Then Ganni as CEO. Now Khy. Kylie Jenner's own framing of the appointment is the most important signal about where Khy is going: "Laura's appointment reflects the direction Khy is taking — a brand defined by craftsmanship, longevity, and a clear vision. Her experience in luxury and fashion is a perfect fit for this new chapter, and I'm proud to build this next phase alongside her." Craftsmanship. Longevity. Clear vision. These are not words associated with a celebrity DTC drop brand. They are the language of a brand trying to become something more durable — the same pivot Rhode made under Hailey Bieber, the same trajectory Ôrebella is executing with its Series A and professional CEO appointment. Du Rusquec's own statement confirms the direction: "Khy's commitment to thoughtful design, high quality, and a unique community-driven approach aligns with the expectations of today's consumers." Khy was founded in 2023, launching with limited-edition DTC drops that sold out within minutes. It has since unveiled a new website and refreshed social media identity. The appointment of du Rusquec is the commercial infrastructure step that follows those creative signals — the professional CEO who can translate the founder's creative direction and loyal community into a brand with genuine longevity rather than a series of successful moments. The L Catterton thread is worth noting. L Catterton — the private equity firm backed by LVMH — controlled Ganni when du Rusquec was CEO there. L Catterton also held the majority stake in Everlane before the Shein sale. The firm's portfolio spans beauty, fashion, wellness, and consumer — and du Rusquec's exit from Ganni to Khy is a move from an established L Catterton asset to an emerging celebrity brand attempting institutional credibility. 🏎️ Join the SMART FASHION COUNCIL Connect with like-minded builders, access real-time insights on how AI creates new layer value: https://lnkd.in/gBAp8s_h #ai #chrematistics #fashion #crypto #blockchain #innovation #defi #vc #angel #smart