Chaumet is familiar territory for you, isn’t it?
I had worked for Chaumet for 12 years, starting in 2006: first, as a managing director for Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong, then as global vice president of international sales and distribution. Prior to that, I had been at Cartier in Hong Kong for a decade.
Those years were a particularly interesting period in Asia, because it coincided with a notable shift in consumer behavior globally. The emerging middle class and a younger demographic were starting to embrace branded jewelry, which was once reserved for a more mature, millionaire class. That transformed the entire landscape of the jewelry industry.
Why did you decide to join Fred?
After 12 years at Chaumet, I was ready for a new challenge. When the position of chief executive became available at Fred, it was my chance to step up. I had 22 years of industry experience, and I knew I had something to contribute. There had never been an Asian chief executive in the LVMH group — it was the honor of my life when the opportunity came up.
What is behind the French-centric trajectory of your career?
I have always been fascinated by the French culture. I graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong where I studied Chinese literature with a minor in French studies. Then I earned a scholarship to ESSEC (École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales) business school in Paris. I always loved French food and cinema. Learning the French language broadened my horizons. My degree in luxury brand management helped me to align my interests with my career goals.
What is your outlook for the fine jewelry industry?
I am extremely optimistic. In the past two years, we have seen an unusually high growth rate in the jewelry industry. After the pandemic, there was an uptick in luxury spending resulting in a surge in sales and global consumption of luxury products. Today, we continue to see a rise in the number of jewelry clients even as growth returns to more normalized levels.
Meantime, the very high-end jewelry segment is still thriving. I see more people buying jewelry for everyday wear as an expression of personal style, and not just for special occasions or weddings. This trend suggests that the base of jewelry buyers across social classes and age groups is expanding. In short, I would say that the future of fine jewelry is very bright.
