When we speak about leaders and top executives in luxury other names come to the mind before Michael Burke, but he is the undisputed number one.
Tough and demanding as a boss he is also a great motivator, a polarizing executive (love him or hate him or both) but he is with no doubt le Mazzarino de LVMH.

He’s very bright and entertaining but also a man of strategy and execution, long term collaborator of Bernard Arnault, he succeeded in:

• launching LV in the USA in the ’80s
• supporting Toledano relaunch of Dior in the ’90s
• turning around Fendi in the 2000s (the biggest challenge ever)
• merging Bulgari into LVMH (quite a challenge due to the presence of Francesco Trapani in the Group)
• managing a new amazing era for Vuitton

He’s a manager with long term view and with great energy. Vuitton is clearly safe in his hands as he won’t spoil the brand with weird collections or short term objectives, he will continue to develop cool capsules, he will manage the right balance of art and glamour (a trend that Beccari at Dior should clearly follow), he will make the company revenues grow healthily.

No doubt he’s the Man of Luxury tout court.
An example to follow for many fashion and luxury managers aiming for success.

In a very interesting interview recently released to the SCMP, Michael Burke, the CEO of Louis Vuitton (and maker of the successful relaunch and turnaround of Fendi), pointed out some interesting Key Success Factors for Louis Vuitton in China.

1. Deep and effective work of streamlining of retail network, fixed cost optimization and margin optimization during slowdown of 2016
2. Revamp of the key flagship stores with a renovation and refresh of the atmosphere
3. An exhibition to communicate the values and heritage of the Brand to the locals in China
4. The attention for the existing customers as well as the potential ones in terms of in-store customer experience
5. Sharing of the heritage as well as embracing the future with new products and innovative collaborations with younger, cool brands
6. Entrepreneurial attitude: accepting failures and risk-taking
7. No fear of counterfeiting having strong foundation, unique Brand personality and a cool image

The success and the growth of LV is not stunning, it’s not fireworks but it is steady and strong. Discreet and at the right pace to keep growing in the long term.

The Brand doesn’t depend on a genius. It’s not a one-man show. It’s Louis Vuitton. Uber alles.