PARIS, Feb 19, 2004/ FW/ --- There is a lot of movement at the venerable French fashion house Givenchy. Last December, Ozwald Boateng was appointed Creative Director of Givenchy Homme, the house’s first foyer in the burgeoning menswear market.

Then last January, after presenting his Spring 2004 haute couture collection, Julien Macdonald, Creative Director for Womenswear announced that he is leaving the house.

And today, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton announced that Marco Gobbetti has been appointed President and CEO of Givenchy Couture, replacing Marianne Tesler, who has decided to pursue other career interests.

Commenting on the appointment Bernard Arnault said in a statement, “We are delighted to welcome Marco Gobbetti to Givenchy Couture. His international experience in fashion and leather goods, acquired in nearly 20 years with several prestigious brands, including Moschino most recently, will be a key asset to the second stage of the development of Givenchy. This appointment reflects the strategic importance of the prestigious Givenchy brand for the LVMH Group.”

Marco Gobbetti is bringing with him years of experience in the retail business on board Givenchy. He has been CEO of Moschino since 1993. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the American University of Washington and a Master in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix, Arizona.

From 1984 to 1989, he worked with Bottega Veneta as Sales Director for the United States and subsequently as Marketing & Sales Director, prior to joining the Valextra brand as Managing Director.