Los Angeles-based activewear brand Alo Yoga has appointed Benedetta Petruzzo as chief executive officer of international operations, signaling a pivot toward luxury-tier global expansion. Petruzzo joins from Christian Dior Couture, where she served as managing director, following a highly successful tenure as CEO of Miu Miu.
The appointment marks a strategic inflection point for Alo, which is transitioning from a premium fitness brand into a multicategory luxury label. Petruzzo brings a proven track record from the Prada Group, where as CEO of Miu Miu she steered the brand to become one of the most coveted names in fashion, nearly doubling revenues in the first half of 2024 and surpassing the €1 billion (approximately $1.05bn) threshold.
Most recently, Petruzzo served as Managing Director at Christian Dior Couture, a role she assumed in October 2024 reporting to Delphine Arnault. At Dior, she oversaw product teams, supply chain operations and data systems globally for the maison. Her remit at Alo encompasses all international operations outside North America, focusing on market strategy and brand identity as Alo prepares major milestones including its upcoming Paris flagship on the Champs-Élysées.
Before joining the Prada Group in 2020, Petruzzo held leadership roles at Kering Eyewear, where she served as executive vice president for North America. Her experience scaling luxury brands across multiple markets while maintaining premium positioning makes her particularly suited to Alo’s ambitions of moving beyond activewear into lifestyle and luxury categories.
Alo: from celebrity favorite to global contender
Alo has carved out a distinctive position in the crowded activewear market by blending performance fabrics with fashion-forward aesthetics and wellness culture. The brand operates flagship stores in key US cities – including Los Angeles, New York and Miami – alongside a strong DTC e-commerce platform. International expansion has been measured to date, with select doors in the UK and Europe.
The timing of Petruzzo’s appointment aligns with broader industry patterns. She brings experience navigating regulatory environments, real estate strategy and localized merchandising across diverse geographies.
North American activewear brands are eyeing international growth as domestic market saturation looms, while European and Asian consumers continue to embrace athleisure categories. However, international expansion requires substantial capital investment in inventory, logistics, marketing and retail footprint – areas where Petruzzo’s operational experience at scale becomes valuable.
