Quick Facts: Sephora
| Current Owner | LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton |
| Ownership Type | Subsidiary of a public company |
| Owned by LVMH Since | 1997 |
| LVMH Controlling Shareholder | Bernard Arnault (Arnault family) |
| Sephora President & CEO | Guillaume Motte (since 2023) |
| Founded | 1969, in France |
| Stores Worldwide | 3,000+ across 35+ countries |
Who Owns Sephora?
Sephora has been owned by LVMH, the French luxury conglomerate controlled by billionaire Bernard Arnault, since 1997, when LVMH acquired the beauty retail chain and began an aggressive international expansion.
Arnault built LVMH into the world’s largest luxury goods company through decades of strategic acquisitions, and Sephora — despite operating in the more accessible beauty-retail space rather than ultra-luxury goods — became one of the group’s most important growth engines, particularly in North America.
Guillaume Motte has served as Sephora’s President and CEO since 2023, bringing experience from earlier roles across LVMH’s fashion and retail divisions, and was formally added to LVMH’s broader executive committee effective January 2025.
Under LVMH ownership, Sephora has grown into a global retail chain with more than 3,000 stores across over 35 countries, operating alongside LVMH’s other retail division brands while remaining structurally distinct from the group’s core fashion and leather goods houses.
Sephora Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Founded in France | Dominique Mandonnaud | Original open-sell beauty retail concept |
| 1997–Present | Acquired by LVMH | Bernard Arnault / LVMH | Begins global expansion strategy |
| 2023–Present | Guillaume Motte becomes President & CEO | Guillaume Motte | Joins LVMH Executive Committee, Jan. 2025 |
About LVMH & Bernard Arnault
Bernard Arnault has built LVMH into a conglomerate spanning fashion, leather goods, wines and spirits, watches, jewelry, and retail, with brands ranging from Louis Vuitton and Dior to Moët & Chandon and Tiffany & Co.
Sephora sits within LVMH’s Selective Retailing division, distinct from the fashion houses, giving it more operational independence in pricing and merchandising strategy even while ultimately reporting up through the Arnault-controlled parent company.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Sephora predates its LVMH ownership by nearly three decades: founded in 1969, acquired by LVMH in 1997.
- It operates in a different market tier than LVMH’s core luxury brands: mass-accessible beauty retail rather than ultra-luxury goods, making it one of the group’s more democratized properties.
- Leadership has changed relatively recently: Guillaume Motte took over as President and CEO in 2023, joining LVMH’s broader executive committee in 2025.
- Sephora is part of LVMH’s Selective Retailing division: operationally separate from the fashion and leather goods houses within the same parent conglomerate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Sephora?
LVMH, the luxury conglomerate controlled by Bernard Arnault, which has owned Sephora since 1997.
Who founded Sephora?
Dominique Mandonnaud, in France in 1969.
Who runs Sephora today?
Guillaume Motte, President and CEO since 2023.
Is Sephora part of LVMH’s fashion division?
No, it operates within LVMH’s Selective Retailing division, separate from fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Dior.
How many Sephora stores are there worldwide?
More than 3,000 stores across over 35 countries.
