Isabelle & Olivier Chouvet
Co-Founders, The Independents
The husband-and-wife duo whose company The Independents acquired industry stalwarts Karla Otto and Bureau Betak has built one of fashion’s most powerful communications groups.
Husband-and-wife duo Isabelle and Olivier Chouvet are the co-founders of global luxury marketing and communications firm, The Independents, which owns 20 creative agencies including Karla Otto, Bureau Betak and influencer marketing firm Lefty.
In the early 2000s, Isabelle and Olivier, founded k2 an events and experiential content company which spotted early opportunity to capitalise on new demand for events and communications strategies in the nascent East Asia market. The move led to partnerships with brands looking to get a foothold in the region, including Berluti, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Dior. In 2017, k2 and public relations firm Karla Otto merged to form The Independents, and Isabelle became chief executive.
Under their leadership, The Independents has grown into a formidable marketing leader in the fashion and luxury sectors having acquired a string of specialised agencies — including Lucien Pagès Communication, Prodject, Sunshine, Bureau Béatrice and Kennedy among others.
In 2023, The Independents raised $400 million and set a goal of doubling in size by 2025. The firm has recently leading design studio 2x4, the cinematic documentary production company Terminal 9 Studios, and the pioneering 360° culinary studio WE ARE ONA to its portfolio, resulting in a global team of 1,200 that operates across 16 countries.
In 2025, The Independents launched L’Incubateur to identify and nurture the next generation of creative talent and innovative entrepreneurs in the global luxury and lifestyle industries.
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The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
