Sophie Vann Guillon

CEO

Valmont

Her well-honed instinct, supremely analytical mind and uncompromising commitment to quality have been the keys to success for Sophie Vann Guillon. 

 In the 1980s, having earned a degree in marketing from a university in California, this elegant French woman with Vietnamese ancestry enhanced the international dynamism of Parfums Balmain and Oscar de la Renta. She fell for the magic of perfumery, discovered most refined ingredients and notes, understood olfactory oppositions as well as cold vs. warm tones.

Relocated in Geneva for Yves Saint Laurent Perfumes, Sophie handled both roles of Operational Marketing Director and Public Relations Manager, on all segments i.e. fragrances, makeup and skincare. She made YSL stand out as never before on the Swiss market, studied its formulas, delved into the ingredients used, learned about the industrial processes and optimized inventory management. These were the talents that her partner Didier recognized in 2000, when he invited her to join the Valmont Group.

Sophie explored every department, implemented management techniques used by major corporations, brought formulations to new levels and… applied revolutionary innovations in every Maison. Her refusal to let obstacles get in her way made it easier to design new flagship products for Valmont and l’Elixir des Glaciers, while her familiarity with the world of perfume simplified the creation of Storie Veneziane by Valmont. In the meantime, her demanding nature and expertise in make-up led the Group to create innovative products and new hues.

Sophie Vann Guillon’s success lies in her skill in combining passion and experience: she observes, analyzes, understands and acts. She masters both product development and marketing, trusts only proven professionals and assesses any situation with amazing speed.

Her youthfulness and charm belie her maturity and stem from her love of life… a source of energy that leads her to seek human contact, take an interest in any subject, admire innovative ideas, master six languages and stand out wherever she goes. At the helm of CVL SA, as CEO, Sophie ensures the integrity and longevity of each and every Valmont brand, manages everyday affairs for each catalogue and… never slows down.