Bernard Arnault to Receive WWD’s 2026 John B. Fairchild Honor

Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) proudly announces Bernard Arnault as the recipient of the 2026 John B. Fairchild Honor, WWD’s highest distinction. The award will be presented live during the WWD Honors ceremony on October 27, 2026, in New York City.

Presented annually at the WWD Honors ceremony, the John B. Fairchild Honor recognizes individuals whose creativity, vision, and leadership have left an enduring impact on the global fashion industry. Named for WWD’s legendary publisher, the John B. Fairchild Honor celebrates transformative careers that have shaped fashion and business on a global scale. Past recipients include Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Leonard Lauder, Miuccia Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Brunello Cucinelli, Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti.

The WWD Honors event, a star-studded gathering in New York City, brings together the industry’s leading executives, creatives, and changemakers for an evening honoring those whose work continues to define the future of fashion, beauty, and retail, culminating with the presentation of the John B. Fairchild Honor.

“WWD’s John B. Fairchild Award honors an industry-defining legacy, and few leaders have shaped global luxury on the scale of Bernard Arnault,” said Amanda Smith, CEO, Fairchild Media Group. “Presenting him with this recognition is a watershed moment not only for WWD, but for the global fashion community. It is a testament to the very definition of leadership and to an individual with the rare ability to redefine the boundaries of vision, scale, and craftsmanship.”

“I am honored to receive the John B. Fairchild Award,” said Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. “I knew well and respected John and his approach to talking about creativity. He broadened WWD’s coverage to go beyond fashion into the people behind the business as well as expanding into beauty and culture, all areas that are important to LVMH.”

“Mr. Fairchild met scores of designers and executives throughout his legendary and groundbreaking career yet admired and spoke fondly of few, and one of those was Bernard Arnault. He lauded him of course for his business acumen but, above all, for his passion for creativity, one he shared with Mr. Fairchild.” said James Fallon, Chief Content Officer, Fairchild Media Group. “He would always talk excitedly about touring stores in Paris with him, and of course offering his honest and unfiltered opinions! It is an immense privilege to present this year’s WWD John B. Fairchild Honor to Mr. Arnault, one that I am sure would thrill Mr. Fairchild himself.”

“I am grateful to the teams at WWD for maintaining his legacy, for their ongoing support to our maisons and for keeping us informed and inspired,” Arnault added. “Thank you for giving me an honor bearing a legend’s name.”

WWD Honors is held in conjunction with the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit, taking place October 27-28, 2026.

The 2026 WWD Honors event is sponsored by Presenting Partner: Aily Labs. Event Partners also include Aetrex, Boston Consulting Group, Google, Katten, Pixel Moda, Saudi Fashion Commission and more to follow.

About WWD

Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) provides a balance of timely, credible business news and key fashion trends for leading retailers, designers, manufacturers, marketers, financiers, Wall Street analysts, international moguls, media executives, ad agencies, trend-makers, and global consumers. Founded in 1910 by Edmund Fairchild and helmed for over two decades by legendary publisher John B. Fairchild, WWD has been the daily media of record and the industry voice of authority for over 115 years. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation under Fairchild Media Group, WWD reaches a global audience of nearly 16 million+ every month across print, digital, mobile, video, social, and events, including the annual WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit and Global Summits in 3 international markets. As an increasingly complex marketplace heightens the need for information and competitive intelligence, WWD delivers spirited coverage with frequency, integrity, and a legacy of getting it right and getting it first.