Antoine Arnault – LVMH and Lessons from the Best

Antoine Arnault is a powerhouse in the luxury industry, the eldest son of Bernard Arnault—Chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). As the driving force behind several LVMH brands, Antoine has masterfully blended tradition with innovation, ensuring that heritage and craftsmanship remain at the heart of modern luxury.

On 25th February, Antoine sat down with Timon Afinsky, founder of the Create What You Wish Existed series, for a candid discussion on artistry, influence, sustainability, and legacy—the very pillars shaping luxury’s evolution.

Our co-founder, Darshana Ubl, had the pleasure of attending this intimate conversation with Antoine, who serves as Chairman of Loro Piana and Vice-Chairman & CEO of Christian Dior SE. He shared rare insights into what makes LVMH a powerhouse and why tradition and innovation must go hand in hand in the world of luxury.

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Key Takeaways from the Interview

Q1: With the rise of online shopping, have physical stores suffered?

Antoine confidently dismissed the notion that luxury retail is declining:

"On the contrary, the luxury buyer enjoys the experience of buying their goods from our stores, where they know they will receive the best service from presentable and smiling staff. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, our stores have thrived over the past few decades, and online shopping has not been a threat.”

He further added:

“We are fortunate to be in a business where the customer spends a lot of money with us and walks out with a big smile.”

At LVMH, the in-store experience is irreplaceable—a reflection of meticulous service, exclusivity, and the emotional connection that true luxury fosters.

Q2: How does one balance personal life and business?

As a husband to Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova and a father of two, Antoine opened up about the realities of balancing work and family:

“Natalia and I had six years of disrupted sleep because of our little ones. For a few years, there wasn’t much of a social life outside of work and family. But we have come out the other way now, and things are much easier.”

His perspective on luxury is deeply personal:

“For me, luxury is being able to balance my work life with family life and to spend quality time with my children. I am grateful for their good health.”

This candid moment underscored an important truth—even in the world of high fashion and billion-dollar empires, family remains a priority.

It was also evident that legacy is deeply embedded in LVMH’s DNA. All four of Antoine’s siblings work within the family business, and he envisions the next generation playing a role based on their individual interests and capabilities.

Q3: Will AI disrupt the luxury market?

Surprisingly, Antoine sees AI as an enabler rather than a disruptor:

“On the contrary, it helps brands understand more about what the customer wants. The IT department uses it as a tool, but not much disruption can be seen in a space that is focused on high-quality handmade and custom pieces.”

LVMH is not in the business of chasing trends. He highlighted how competitors rushed to buy virtual real estate in the Metaverse, while LVMH chose to observe.

“Many in the industry said it was the wrong move, but time has proven otherwise—customers still prefer to buy luxury products in-store rather than online.”

Similarly, he emphasized that platforms like Amazon cater to a different audience, and LVMH’s focus on “slow fashion” ensures its exclusivity and desirability remain intact.

Q4: What is LVMH’s most successful store in emerging markets?

Without hesitation, Antoine pointed to Louis Vuitton’s store in Dubai Mall as the strongest performer:

“Dubai, in general, is a very lucrative market for luxury goods, and I’m looking forward to spending more holidays there with my family.”

Dubai has firmly positioned itself as a global luxury hub, and LVMH is well aware of its potential.

Q5: What types of brands does LVMH seek to acquire?

LVMH isn’t looking for just any brand; heritage and storytelling matter.

“We look for heritage brands with archives of their stories. A new fashion designer would not be a part of our brand.”

This approach ensures that every acquisition aligns with LVMH’s legacy—preserving authenticity while embracing the future.

Q6: Does LVMH intervene in the creative process of its brands?

Antoine clarified that LVMH respects creative independence:

“The designers have ‘Carte Blanche’—a complete say in what they produce. However, from time to time, we invite them to visit new markets, which may inspire their collections. For example, we have taken designers to China to immerse themselves in Oriental culture, but the final decision always rests with the brand.”

This autonomy allows each Maison under LVMH to retain its distinct identity while benefiting from the group’s global reach.

A Legacy Built Over Centuries

The LVMH empire, as we know it today, was meticulously crafted by Bernard Arnault, who merged Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy in 1987. But its roots run even deeper:

• Moët & Chandon (1743) and Hennessy (1765) merged in 1971 to form Moët Hennessy.
• Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854.

As of 2025, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) encompasses a diverse portfolio of over 75 distinguished luxury brands, known as "Maisons," across various sectors. Below is an overview of these brands, categorized by their respective sectors:

Wines and Spirits:

• Ao Yun
  
• Ardbeg
  
• Belvedere
  
• Bodega Numanthia
  
• Chandon
  
• Château d'Esclans (Whispering Angel)
  
• Château Cheval Blanc
  
• Château d'Yquem
  
• Château Minuty
  
• Cheval des Andes
  
• Clos des Lambrays
  
• Cloudy Bay
  
• Colgin Cellars
  
• Dom Pérignon
  
• Glenmorangie
  
• Hennessy
  
• Krug
  
• Mercier
  
• Moët & Chandon
  
• Newton Vineyard
  
• Ruinart
  
• Terrazas de los Andes
  
• Veuve Clicquot
  
• Volcan de mi Tierra
  
• Woodinville
  
• Clos19
  

Fashion & Leather Goods

• Barton Perreira
  
• Berluti
  
• Celine
  
• Christian Dior Couture
  
• Emilio Pucci
  
• Fendi
  
• Givenchy
  
• JW Anderson
  
• Kapital
  
• Kenzo
  
• Loewe
  
• Loro Piana
  
• Louis Vuitton
  
• Marc Jacobs
  
• Moynat
  
• Patou
  
• Phoebe Philo
  
• Rimowa
  
• Vuarnet
  

Perfumes and Cosmetics:

• Acqua di Parma
• Benefit Cosmetics
• BITE Beauty
• Cha Ling
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
• Fresh
• Parfums Givenchy
• Guerlain
• Kenzo Parfums
• KVD Vegan Beauty
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian
• Make Up For Ever
• Marc Jacobs Beauty
• Officine Universelle Buly
• Ole Henriksen
  
• Parfums Christian Dior
  
• Perfumes Loewe
  
• Sephora

Watches and Jewelry:

• Bulgari
• Chaumet
  
• Daniel Roth
  
• Fred
  
• Gerald Genta
  
• Hublot
  
• Repossi
  
• TAG Heuer
  
• Tiffany & Co.
  
• Zenith
  

Selective Retailing:

• DFS
• La Grande Epicerie
• La Samaritaine
  
• Le Bon Marché
  
• Starboard Cruise Services
  
• 24S
  

Other Activities:

• Belmond
  
• Bulgari Hotel and Resorts
  
• Maisons Cheval Blanc
  
• Connaissance des Arts
  
• Cova
  
• Investir
  
• Jardin d'Acclimatation
  
• Le Parisien
  
• Les Echos
  
• Paris Match
  
• Radio Classique
  
• Royal Van Lent
  

This extensive collection of brands underscores LVMH's commitment to excellence and innovation across the luxury sector.

3 Key Takeaways for Mayfairsilk

1️⃣ Craftsmanship is the cornerstone of luxury.

At Mayfairsilk, our silk pillowcases, sheets, and eye masks are hand-cut by artisans using the finest Grade 6A Mulberry silk. Quality and meticulous attention to detail lead to stronger customer loyalty and repeat purchases.

2️⃣ Building a brand takes time.

Luxury is not an overnight success—it’s a journey. Staying true to our values, communicating what sets us apart, and persevering will drive long-term recognition.

3️⃣ Limited editions keep brands exciting.

Innovation and exclusivity fuel desire. Introducing limited-edition pieces keeps our loyal customers engaged and makes every collection feel special.

Final Thoughts

Antoine Arnault’s insights reaffirm what true luxury stands for: impeccable craftsmanship, heritage-driven storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

At Mayfairsilk, we share these values—our dedication to creating timeless, sustainable, and luxurious silk products ensures that we remain a cut above the rest.

Because true luxury never follows trends—it defines them.

👉 Discover Mayfairsilk at Mayfairsilk.com