Thierry Chaunu

Thierry Chaunu is Chairman of Kaleidoscope Luxury PR & Communications, a New York-based agency specializing in high luxury lifestyle, fashion, watch and jewelry brands across North America.

Executive Career

Thierry Chaunu's four-decade career spans executive leadership roles at premier luxury houses. After joining Cartier's Paris headquarters as Senior Product Manager, he advanced to Vice-President of Marketing at Cartier North America (1985–1991). He then served as President for USA, Canada, and Mexico at French silver house Christofle (1992–1998), followed by CEO of Chopard USA (1999–2005). As Global President & COO of Leviev Diamonds (2005–2010), he expanded the retail managed operations for the world's largest supplier of investment-grade gems.

Consulting & Brand Building

In 2010, Chaunu founded Brands Consulting LLC, advising scores of luxury clients including Chaumet, Louis Vuitton High Jewelry, Jacob & Co, and Anna Hu High Jewelry, to name a few. He relaunched the iconic jewellery brand Marina B, served as CEO Americas for Italian jeweller Damiani, and became exclusive agent & CEO, North America for legendary French jeweller Mauboussin, founded in Paris in 1827. Demand for his expertise and advice on branding and distribution of luxury goods continues unabated, notably in North America.

In 2015, he also launched BeauGeste Luxury Brands, serving as President of the exclusive North American sales agency representing Swiss, French, and Italian luxury watch and jewelry brands including: Baume & Mercier, Chronoswiss, Reservoir, Eberhard & Co., Lladró, Tonino Lamborghini, U-Boat, and many others.

In 2023, Thierry became Chairman of Kaleidoscope Luxury PR & Communications.

Boutique & Retail Development

Under Thierry's leadership, the brands he served expanded their retail footprints dramatically — from Christofle boutiques at Bal Harbour, Short Hills, Houston, Mexico City and Toronto, to Chopard boutiques in Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, Las Vegas, South Coast Plaza and Aspen, to Leviev flagship stores on Old Bond Street in London, Madison Avenue in New York, Moscow, Dubai, and Singapore. Each opening was a complete, hands-on and tailored experience: from site selection and landlord negotiations to construction, staff recruiting, and PR/advertising launches.

Events & Cultural Engagement

Thierry's career has placed him at the center of the world's most prestigious events: the Cannes Film Festival, the Grammy Awards, the Golden Globes, and the Oscars. He served as a judge at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (2004–2005), attended co-hosted Elton John's Oscar galas, and organized dozens of private VIP exhibits from Monaco Yacht Show to Moscow's Fine Arts & Antiques Fair. He launched the Spyker Swiss collection of Chronograph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans — a complete luxury sport watch collection developed from creation to critical acclaim.

Education & Civic Service

Born in Paris in 1956, Chaunu earned a master's degree in economics and public administration from Sciences Po Paris (1978) and a Chinese civilization diploma from the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris (1979). He served in the French Navy, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Since 2020, he has served as President of the American Society of Le Souvenir Français, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to honoring some 5,000 French soldiers, sailors, and aviators buried in the United States. He is the author of “Memories of France,” a compilation of more than 3,500 French sites in the United States. He is a Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite.