Fursac's Elina Kousourna named CEO of Maje

SMCP Group, owners Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac, has announced Elina Kousourna’s appointment as CEO of Maje, effective 17 April 2023.

Kousourna is moving into her new role after three years as Head of the Fursac brand. Under her leadership, and that of its Creative Director, Gauthier Borsarello, Fursac accelerated its growth in France and Europe. The brand changed its name and entered the official Fashion Week calendar in 2022.

Before joining Fursac in 2019, she spent four years as Head of Strategy and Development at SMCP. Prior to her stint at SMCP, Kousourna was a Principal at the consulting firm Boston Consulting Group for nearly seven years.

Kousourna will remain a member of SMCP group’s Executive Committee and continue supporting the Fursac teams until the arrival of a new CEO.

The appointment follows a recent change in management at Maje, which saw Charlotte Tasset Ferrec, who became CEO in January 2022, exit the company last month.

Isabelle Guichot, CEO of SMCP, commented: "I am very pleased to announce Elina’s appointment as CEO of Maje, a brand I know well for having managed it myself. This announcement is particularly important for me as it illustrates a strong value of our Group: promoting talents and internal mobility.

"Elina has the talent and the proper vision to lead the House and continue to work towards achieving our priorities which are desirability, responsible development, and customer satisfaction."

Guichot noted that Elina has been a key player in the group's growth, impacting it strategy and development since 2015. In her new role, Elina will "continue the expansion and influence of Maje, while respecting its so singular and feminine DNA".

Elina Kousourna, CEO of Maje, added: "I am delighted to be joining Maje at a pivotal moment in its history and to work alongside an inspirational woman like Judith. Maje is celebrating its 25thanniversary, the right moment for the brand to further assert its identity, as modern nomad, and strengthen its global presence.

"I would like to thank Isabelle, Judith and the rest of SMCP Board of Directors for their trust in me to write that exciting new chapter for Maje."