Women's leadership in the luxury sector: challenges and opportunities

In the world of luxury goods, as in most sectors, women are in the minority in management positions and have only limited opportunities for career advancement. However, the situation is gradually improving, with women now occupying 28% of executive positions. Let's take a look at the challenges and opportunities of female leadership.

Overview of women's leadership in luxury

The luxury sector is a world in which women naturally occupy a central place, particularly as customers or muses. Paradoxically, female leadership, i.e. positions of power and management, is not as well represented. Women are increasingly visible in the executive spheres of the major fashion houses, but they are still under-represented compared to their male counterparts.

However, the situation is changing for the better. Today, many women are at the helm of the most prestigious luxury brands. They include such iconic figures as Francesca Bellettini, CEO of Saint Laurent, Delphine Arnault, head of Christian Dior Couture, and Sabina Belli, head of the Pomellato group (part of the Kering group). These women leaders represent not only a positive development, but also a source of inspiration for many future female leaders.

However, it is important to recognise that these examples are not enough to mask a complex reality. Despite progress, barriers persist, all too often limiting women's access to the most senior positions. Only 28% of management positions in the luxury goods industry are held by women. This figure highlights a paradox: while women make up a large majority of luxury customers, their presence at the top of the hierarchy remains a minority.

Why does this gap persist? The main challenges cited include persistent prejudice, the lack of networks of influence adapted to women and the difficulty of reconciling personal life and professional ambitions, particularly in sectors as demanding as luxury goods. However, these challenges are not insurmountable, and luxury brands, aware of the issues, are increasingly committed to achieving greater parity. There are an increasing number of initiatives, including mentoring programmes, female leadership programmes and the introduction of quotas to accelerate the presence of women on boards of directors.

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Challenges faced by women executives

Access to leadership positions in the luxury sector remains more complicated for women, despite the progress that has been made. Behind the successes of some female managers, there are still many challenges.

Gender stereotypes

One of the main difficulties facing female luxury executives is the gender stereotypes that are still too prevalent in the business world. Women have to fight against the idea that they do not possess the same leadership skills as their male counterparts. Sensitivity, empathy and finesse, often considered feminine qualities, are paradoxically perceived as weaknesses when it comes to taking on roles of great responsibility.

What's more, in a sector where image is paramount, women executives often have to deal with constant pressure linked to their appearance and style. Expectations of them are higher, creating an extra mental burden that they have to manage on a daily basis. They must constantly prove their legitimacy in order to be taken seriously.

Access to decision-making positions

Although women are making progress in the luxury industry, access to decision-making positions remains complex. The famous glass ceiling is still a reality in the luxury industry, where boards of directors and executive positions are dominated by men.

One of the main reasons for this is the lack of networks of influence favourable to women. Key positions are often attributed by co-optation within restricted, predominantly male circles, where it is difficult for women to penetrate. What's more, women's non-linear career paths, sometimes linked to maternity or reconciling their personal lives, are still too often seen as penalising interruptions rather than enriching experiences. What's more, the luxury sector, with its demanding pace, frequent travel and often extended working hours, makes it particularly difficult for women to manage their work-life balance.

Emerging opportunities for female leadership

The luxury sector also offers unique opportunities for more assertive female leadership. Some emblematic women illustrate these new perspectives perfectly. But what are these emerging opportunities, and how can women leaders seize them to transform the face of luxury?

Dior : Delphine Arnault

Delphine Arnault, daughter of LVMH founder Bernard Arnault, is not only one of the most influential women in the industry: she also embodies a profound shift in the perception of female leadership. At the head of Christian Dior Couture, Delphine Arnault has successfully imposed her strategic vision, focused on innovation, creativity, and the preservation of exceptional craftsmanship. By initiating programmes such as the LVMH Prize for young designers, she provides opportunities for emerging talents, highlighting diversity and creativity.

Her career highlights a major opportunity for women: that of using their position to promote a more inclusive, modern, and forward-looking luxury. Delphine Arnault also embodies an inspiring leadership that proves women can excel in strategic roles while bringing different values.

Yves Saint Laurent : Francesca Bellettini

The example of Francesca Bellettini, CEO of Saint Laurent, is just as interesting. Since her appointment, she has successfully transformed the brand into a global luxury heavyweight. Under her leadership, Saint Laurent has experienced significant growth, with revenue more than doubling in just a few years. Her success demonstrates that female leaders bring a fresh vision to management, often characterised by a better understanding of the expectations of female consumers, who today represent nearly 70% of luxury buyers. Furthermore, by promoting a more inclusive corporate culture based on diversity and openness, Francesca Bellettini fosters a leadership style that often proves to be more agile, more innovative, and more in tune with societal changes.

How to Achieve Effective Gender Parity in Luxury

Achieving true gender parity in the luxury industry requires far more than mere commitments. It demands concrete actions, profound cultural changes, and a strong willingness to challenge traditional models to reach genuine gender equality.

The first step towards effective parity undoubtedly involves a deep shift in mindsets. To achieve this, luxury houses must foster a corporate culture that values inclusion and diversity at all levels. This requires genuine diversity management, starting with raising awareness of unconscious biases so that everyone, both women and men, understands how these prejudices influence recruitment or promotion decisions. Regular training programmes, workshops, and conferences can help create a more open and supportive environment, where everyone feels free to express their potential without fear of discrimination. This cultural change must be driven from the highest levels of hierarchy to have a real impact.

Female leadership in the luxury industry is on the rise, and despite some obstacles, women leaders prove every day that they have nothing to envy their male counterparts. Luxury has never been so inspiring, innovative, and elegant. But how many more years will it take to achieve true gender parity?