LVMH Acquires Stake in Maison Francis Kurkdjian

FRANCE: LVMH has acquired a majority share of fragrance house Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Marc Chaya and Francis Kurkdjian will continue as chief executive officer and creative director, respectively, and will remain shareholders of Maison Francis Kurkdjian, which was founded in 2009 and is currently present in 40 countries. Last year, it became a member of the Comité Colbert, the association that promotes French luxury and art de vivre around the world.


“I am delighted to welcome Maison Francis Kurkdjian to the LVMH Group. Their avant-garde spirit and the quality of their creations give this fragrance House great potential and a promising future,” Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH said in a press statement.


Francis Kurkdjian has designed visionary fragrances that meld exacting quality and contemporary flair for leading names in beauty and fashion, according to LVMH. He has collaborated with several LVMH Houses, including Acqua di Parma, Christian Dior, Guerlain and, most recently, Kenzo. For more than 20 years he has explored new creative territories in fragrances through his own bespoke fragrance atelier, collaborations with artists and pop-up installations. Kurkdjian received the honorary title of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in 2008.


A former partner at Ernst & Young in Paris, Chaya has been part of the perfumer-manager duo that has led Maison Francis Kurkdjian since they founded it in 2009.


The acquisition will allow Maison Francis Kurkdjian to pursue its growth, particularly in international markets, fully respecting its distinctive character, uncompromising quality standards and creative freedom, according to LVMH.


“We share the same spirit of creativity, excellence and entrepreneurial drive as the LVMH Group. This rapprochement is built on a shared vision and we will continue to guide the future of our House as part of an exceptional Group,” said Chaya.


“I have always championed my personal conception of beauty and respect for the métier of perfumer-creator. Maison Francis Kurkdjian lets me freely express my inspirations,” noted Kurkdjian in a press statement. “LVMH clearly understands the nature of our maison, and the group’s approach to custom-crafted creativity guarantees that our distinctive identity will thrive for the long-term.”