What's Her Recipe For French Dressing?

Reinventing the iconic Yves Saint Laurent brand is more than a numbers game for Valerie Hermann

VITAL STATISTICS

NAME VALERIE HERMANN

CURRENT JOB CEO, YSL

FIRST JOB SUPERVISED SPECIAL PROJECTS AT THE COMITE COLBERT

INSIDE TRACK WENT TO BUSINESS SCHOOL WITH PPR CHAIRMAN FRANÇOIS-HENRI PINAULT

CLAIM TO FAME GUIDING JOHN GALLIANO THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

Salvation, not surprisingly, started with a handbag. "We need a bag," Valerie Hermann announced two weeks after taking over as CEO of Yves Saint Laurent. "We need a good bag, something that will sell."

Carine Roitfeld, editor in chief of French Vogue, told her not to bother. "The Saint Laurent girl doesn't carry a bag," Roitfeld said. "She puts her hands in her...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!