The LVMH Dynasty: A real life SUCCESSION story in the World of Luxury Goods

The Arnault family gatherings at LVMH's (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) opulent headquarters could easily be mistaken for a scene straight out of HBO's hit TV show SUCCESSION.

Picture this: Bernard Arnault, the world's richest person, the "wolf in cashmere", and the patriarch of luxury goods, as the real-life Logan Roy. With his iPad in hand, he gathers his five ambitious children for a power lunch that rivals any high-stakes family meeting on the small screen. He leads the discussion with flair, throwing around ideas and seeking advice from his next-gen heirs.

Bernard has been meticulously grooming his five adult children to carry on his empire for years, imparting his business acumen and jet-setting lifestyle since they were kids. And with LVMH, the world's largest luxury conglomerate, valued at a staggering $480 billion, the stakes have never been higher.

So the question on everyone's lips in the fashion world is: Who will be the chosen one to lead the iconic conglomerate into the future?

Let me break this down… SUCCESSION style.

Delphine Arnault, the poised and strategic eldest child, could be the spitting image of Siobhan Roy, Logan's equally sharp daughter( except she has blonde hair). Just like Siobhan, Delphine has made her mark in the business world, recently nabbing the coveted CEO position at Christian Dior, LVMH's crown jewel.

Her younger brother Antoine, the suave and calculated CEO of the family's holding company, is akin to Kendall Roy, Logan's ambitious, overly confident and smooth-talking son.

But the Arnault family tree doesn't stop there. Alexandre, Frédéric, and Jean, Bernard's three sons from his second marriage, each bring their own unique strengths and quirks to the table, much like Logan's other children on SUCCESSION. All three have studied at top engineering schools, a qualification that their father considers crucial to his own success.

Alexandre, the debonair EVP of Tiffany & Co., moves in elite circles, rubbing elbows with A-listers like Jay-Z and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. He has shades of Roman Roy, the witty, often inappropriate and unpredictable youngest son of the Roy family whose knowledge of sexual innuendo’s always delivers.

Frédéric, with his engineering background and leadership at Tag Heuer, is reminiscent of Connor Roy, the quirky, often forgot about and unconventional Roy sibling.

Jean, the marketing whiz at Louis Vuitton's watches division, could be likened to Shiv's husband Tom Wambsgans, with his sharp wit and strategic moves.

As Bernard jokingly drops hints about retirement and playing tennis, his children, much like the Roy siblings, are keenly eyeing the throne of the LVMH empire. Their ( perceived)sibling rivalry is akin to the power struggles and backstabbing maneuvers seen on SUCCESSION, with each child vying for their father's favor and the ultimate prize of taking over the family business. With his team of trusted lieutenants including Sidney Toledano and Michael Burke, much like Logan's loyal inner circle, watching and mentoring his children's every move. It's like a UHNW luxury version of "The Apprentice.”

Who will rise to the challenge and inherit the throne of LVMH?

While Bernard Arnault rarely speaks about succession in public, those close to him say that it has been on his mind for a long time. As he continues to tighten his family's grip on LVMH and elevate his children to senior roles within the company, the question of who will succeed him as chief executive and chairman of the world's biggest luxury conglomerate remains unanswered.

Will it be Delphine, with her calculated poise and business acumen of her father, or one of Bernard's other children, who are constantly maneuvering in this real-life version of SUCCESSION?

As the Arnault family drama continues to play out, the fashion and luxury world eagerly awaits the next episode in this captivating family saga. It's a story that could rival the compelling narratives of SUCCESSION, with all the glamour, wealth, and high-stakes power plays.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching with truffle popcorn and champagne in hand.