Creative Direction: Amy Sessions
Photographer: Ziga Mihelčič
Fashion Editor: Camille Macawili
Makeup & Hair: Karolina Kurowicka at MMG Artists
Videographer: Mark Mathew
Cover Star: Ingie Chalhoub
As Etoile Group celebrates its 40th anniversary, founder and President Ingie Chalhoub reflects on her success, setbacks and strengths.
Having the ultimate combination of remarkable leadership, pure passion and exceptional vision, she continues to lead and drive further expansion while remaining authentic to its pioneering spirit.
Tap the gallery above to view the full shoot.
What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
The start of my day is dedicated to setting a positive and focused tone. I like to begin with a moment of mindfulness, reflecting on the day’s goals and aligning my thoughts. This is then followed by a cup of tea or coffee. After that, I review any urgent emails and messages to check if there are any pressing matters before completing a quick workout. This routine helps me stay grounded, energised, and ready to tackle whatever the day has to bring.
As founder of Etoile Group, you revolutionised the fashion and retail industry by bringing the biggest luxury brands to the region. How was your vision received back then?
The launch was met with a sense of anticipation and curiosity about the region’s readiness for high-end fashion. Although I was faced with some skepticism and challenges, I believed strongly in the untapped potential and sophistication of our market and its consumers. The initial challenges were overcome through strategic partnerships and deepening my understanding of both the global luxury landscape and local tastes. In doing so I was able to gain the trust of international brands and ensure their collections resonated with our local clientele.
How has it evolved since it launched 40 years ago and has it been challenging to maintain authenticity to your vision as the brand has scaled?
Over the past four decades, Etoile Group has undergone a remarkable transformation. When we launched in the early 1980s, our focus was on bringing high-end European fashion to the Middle Eastern market. Since then, we’ve expanded our portfolio and established ourselves as a multifaceted luxury group. My vision has always centered on blending cultural heritage with modern luxury, and this has evolved with the times. We’ve embraced technological advancements, such as e-commerce and digital marketing, to stay relevant in an increasingly digital world. Maintaining authenticity has also been key, especially as we’ve scaled over the years. Our commitment to quality and innovation has never wavered, along with continuously remaining dedicated to empowering young designers to ensure that the next generation of talent is provided with the opportunities to make their marks on this dynamic industry. This not only keeps us rooted in our original values but also pushes us to continually innovate. Our focus on customer-centricity has always been a priority and has led us to develop authentic relationships with our clients and partners. We’ve adapted to changing consumer preferences while staying true to the pioneering spirit that defines us. This balance of tradition and innovation has been key to our sustained success and growth in the ever-evolving luxury market.
In a challenging and ever-changing retail market, how do you ensure the business is continually set up for success and stays ahead of the curve?
Staying ahead in the luxury retail and fashion market requires a proactive approach and constant innovation and adaptability. We invest heavily in market research to understand evolving consumer trends and preferences. Embracing technology has also been crucial; our omni-channel presence ensures a seamless shopping experience across both physical and digital platforms. Additionally, fostering strong and long-lasting partnerships and connections with global brands and local designers helps us offer unique and exclusive collections that keep our clientele engaged and loyal. I believe our agile and forward-thinking mindset as an organisation allows us to navigate and truly thrive in a dynamic environment that is constantly changing.
How do you manage those who are resistant to innovation and change?
Managing resistance to change involves open communication and demonstrating the value of innovation. I believe in involving all stakeholders in the process and addressing their concerns transparently and strategically. Highlighting successful case studies and the long-term benefits of embracing new ideas also helps in shifting more resistant perspectives. It’s also essential to provide support and training to ease transitions, as this ensures that everyone from within the organisation feels equipped and confident in adapting to new approaches. Creating a culture that celebrates innovation and continuous improvement is also key as it also helps foster collective growth.
With a seismic shift in retail, Middle Eastern consumer behaviour and how they shop, how are you embracing this change?
Staying attuned to the evolving needs and preferences of regional consumers is critical. Our investment in e-commerce and digital plat- forms has allowed us to cater to the increasing demand for online shopping while maintaining the luxurious experience our clients expect. We also prioritise creating exclusive, personalised and immersive shopping experiences, both online and in-store, that meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Additionally for each of our brands we try to always push for exclusive collections and pieces that are just for our GCC region such as the Ramadan capsule col- lections, which accentuates our commitment to our clientele. By leveraging data analytics, we can also tailor our offerings to meet the specific desires of our clientele. Additionally, working with like-minded partners, especially in terms of sustainability and ethical practices, has become increasingly central to our strategy, which is aligned with the growing consciousness of our clients.
What is your approach to leadership and how do you ensure these values filter down through the different departments that you oversee?
I try to root my leadership style in authenticity, collaboration, and empowerment. I do my best to lead by example, while demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to our values. Open communication is also crucial, and I ensure that all departments are aligned with our vision through regular meetings and encouraging two-way communication. Embracing a culture of continuous learning and development is also key. By providing opportunities for growth and recognising achievements, our team can be continuously motivated and inspired to excel to the best of their abilities.
What has being an entrepreneur taught you about passion, resilience and following your instincts?
It has highlighted that passion is the driving force behind success and taught me that resilience is crucial in overcoming setbacks and navigating challenges. Following and trusting my instinct has often led to solutions and opportunities that others might overlook. This journey has shown me that while strategic planing is essential, the ability to adapt is equally as powerful. These lessons have also helped shape my approach to business and enriched my personal growth and understanding of leadership.
“Each achievement underscores the importance of staying true to our values while embracing innovation”
What have been the most pivotal milestones of your career so far – and how has it shaped your understanding of success?
The establishment of the first Chanel boutique in Kuwait in 1983 is definitely a key milestone, followed by expansion of Etoile Group brand portfolio into the wider GCC region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and most recently Bahrain. 1998 also represented a pivotal year with the opening of Valentino, Ralph Lauren, and Tod’s in the region. 2024 is also a significant year for Etoile Group, launching 11 new stores across the GCC region. We opened ETRO boutique in KSA and revamped the ETRO boutique in Dubai Mall with a unique concept, the first of its kind in the world. Boutiques for Tod’s and Aquazzura were also opened in Galeries Lafayette Dubai Mall, as well as the reopening of the Tod’s and Hogan boutiques in Lebanon. We also delivered openings of the Tod’s Flagship Boutique at Kingdom Centre (Mamlaka) in Riyadh, an uplifted Chanel Boutiques at El Khayyat Centre in Jeddah & Sal- hiya in Kuwait, the Aquazzura Store in Riyadh as well as openings for Chanel, Etro, Tod’s and Aquazzura boutiques in Marassi Mall in Bahrain and Aquazzura in Kuwait. These strategic openings and accomplishments have taught me that success is the result of strategic vision, adaptability, and perseverance. Each achievement underscores the importance of staying true to our values while embracing innovation. It is indeed a continuous journey of growth and evolution, driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating exceptional experiences. It entails navigating through work cycles, with their ups and downs, including challenges such as COVID-19 or political instabilities. Embracing these hurdles and forging ahead with resilience is paramount. Success isn’t effortless; it demands steadfast dedication to our vision amid adversity. Embracing change and challenges while supporting our employees through- out has been pivotal. Our journey is marked by ambition, hard work, and setbacks that serve as invaluable learning experiences, reinforcing the groundwork for a prosperous future.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Trust in your vision and stay true to your passion. Don’t be afraid to take risks and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Remember that resilience and adaptability are key to navigating the world of luxury fashion and retail. Surround yourself with a supportive and talented team of like-minded individuals, and never underestimate the power of building strong relationships. Lastly, always prioritise maintaining an innovative and sustainable mindset, as they are essential for long-term success and impact.
What is the secret to managing multiple aspects of life personal and professional successfully?
The secret lies in prioritization and time management. Setting clear boundaries and goals for both realms helps me maintain my focus and efficiency. It’s also important to allocate specific time for family and personal interests, which helps me recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Starting by recruiting highly qualified talent, mentoring, coaching them and then prioritizing effective delegation. Trusting my team to handle responsibilities allows me to focus on strategic tasks. Building a cohesive team that shares my vision ensures tasks are com-pleted with dedication and excellence. With employees, I foster an environment without hierarchy or barriers, maintaining an open-door policy. I regularly engage with new joiners, conduct weekly market and boutique visits, and treat everyone equally. Connecting with people is key to fostering strong relationships. In essence, balancing personal and professional life requires discipline, organisation, and a supportive team. One of the most important things is being close to my family, partner, and children, supporting them in their daily lives and challenges through open communication and involvement. Organisation and planning are also crucial, along with prioritising self-care. Investing time in activities that nurture my physical and mental well-being keeps me energised and resilient.
This is The Visionary Issue – what do you envision as the future of Etoile Group and which new brands are on your radar?
I believe the future of Etoile Group is centered around expansion and innovation. We aim to broaden our reach beyond our current markets, exploring new territories and opportunities in the region and beyond. We will continue to collaborate with both global luxury brands and emerging local designers, bringing unique and exclusive collections to our clientele. New brands on our radar include those that prioritise sustainability and craftsmanship, reflecting our commitment to quality and ethical practices. Ultimately, our vision is to remain a leader in luxury retail and fashion, continuously evolving to meet the needs of our sophisticated consumers while staying true to our pioneering spirit.
