Arie Kopelman: Transforming Chanel into a Luxury Powerhouse

Arie Kopelman: A Visionary in Luxury Fashion

Arie Kopelman, the vibrant and charismatic president and chief operating officer of Chanel Inc., passed away on October 7 at the age of 86 at his home in Manhattan. His son, Will Kopelman, confirmed that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Kopelman was instrumental in reshaping Chanel Inc., the American branch of the iconic French luxury house, into a global powerhouse in the fashion industry. His contributions were particularly remarkable given that he entered the fashion world as a relative outsider. Before taking the helm at Chanel, his only experience in the industry was managing the Chanel fragrance account at the renowned advertising firm Doyle Dane Bernbach.

“We’d attend fashion shows, and Arie would often ask me, ‘What’s a set-in sleeve? What’s a drop shoulder?’” recalled his wife, Coco Kopelman, in a 1995 interview with The Boston Globe. “However, he was a quick learner and picked up the nuances of the industry in no time.”

Mr. Kopelman took charge of Chanel at a pivotal moment. Just two years prior, the company had appointed the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld as its creative director. Lagerfeld, often regarded as the “soul of fashion” by Anna Wintour, the editor of American Vogue, infused the brand with a fresh vision and creative energy.

While Lagerfeld was the creative genius, Mr. Kopelman brought a wealth of marketing expertise to the table. With a background in advertising, having previously managed high-profile accounts like Ivory soap for Procter & Gamble, he was equipped with the necessary skills to elevate the brand’s presence.

Utilizing marketing principles such as “Retail is detail,” Mr. Kopelman harnessed Lagerfeld’s design ingenuity and transformed the revered French couturier into a commercial juggernaut. “My dad always said that he took the Procter & Gamble playbook and applied it to Chanel,” Will Kopelman shared in an interview, highlighting his father’s innovative approach to the luxury market.

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