Richard Pinabel takes over as new global brand president

Global beauty giant L’Oréal has appointed Richard Pinabel as global brand president of Armani beauty, succeeding Véronique Gautier who has held the position since 2010. Since January 2022, Pinabel has been the global deputy general manager of Lancôme, a brand which, like Armani beauty, is part of L’Oréal’s luxury division.

Pinabel joined the L’Oréal group in 2002, starting his career with Armani fragrances. In 2006, he orchestrated the launch of Viktor&Rolf’s FlowerBomb fragrance in the United States, then continued within the group as head of marketing for Ralph Lauren, before taking over as general manager of Viktor&Rolf, Maison Margiela, Stella McCartney, Boucheron and Zegna in 2008.

In 2012, the executive became general manager Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Japan, before taking up the position of brand president worldwide of the Shu Uemura brand. In 2018 he returned to Europe to manage L’Oréal’s luxury division in Portugal, before joining Lancôme two years later.

In 2018, L’Oréal and Armani renewed their licensing agreement until 2050. The brand has fragrance lines, including the Si fragrance, as well as skincare and make-up lines. The licence is part of L’Oréal’s billionaire licence club. “Under the leadership of Véronique Gautier, Armani beauty has achieved significant global growth in Asia, Europe and the United States, tripling the brand’s turnover,” says the L’Oréal press release.