Veteran luxury executive Valerie Leon has been named president of Belmont Park Village, the newest in The Bicester Collection’s portfolio of 12 open-air discount shopping centers, or “villages,” and the first to open in North America.
Leon has more than three decades of experience in luxury fashion and retail. She most recently served as president of the Americas at Givenchy, part of her 12 years at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, including senior roles at Christian Dior Couture and Marc Jacobs. Earlier in her career she held senior-level roles at Valentino and merchant positions at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Belmont Park Village is located at 2501 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, N.Y., about 19 miles east of Manhattan. It opened in October 2024 and is in the process of seeking designer and upscale brands to open stores there.
“At Belmont Park Village, Leon will lead the continued evolution of the destination as it enters a defining period of growth,” Bicester Collection said in a statement Monday. “Belmont Park Village is poised for strong momentum throughout the second half of 2026, with the expansion of The Apartment, the invitation-only suite for VIC guests, this summer, alongside a slew of upcoming boutique openings including A.P.C, Boss, Rag & Bone, Kiton, Billy Reid, Boggi, and more,” the statement indicated.
Among the tenants already in place, Belmont Park Village houses the first off-price U.S. boutiques from Missoni, Aquazzura, René Caovilla and Jacob Cohën as well as Thom Browne. There are also off-price boutiques from Hugo Boss, Coach, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianvito Rossi, Valentino, Etro, Brunello Cucinelli, Lululemon, The North Face and Levi’s, among others. A third or more of the center is populated by Italian labels. More than 40 of the approximate 150 retail spaces are currently occupied with shops that are open for business.
Belmont Park Village, photographed last December.
The Bicester Collection
It’s a much different experience than the typical American mall, outlet or discount centers. Given the quality of the architecture and interior design of the individual stores, the 340,000-square-foot Belmont Park Village seems more full price than off-price, but that’s the format. Stores display seasonal products from the past year at prices 30 to 65 percent off, and the prices are kept discrete, without signs blasting discounts. There’s a concierge, VIP client services, personal shopping, fine dining and The Apartment for entertaining or just taking a break from shopping.
The company also stated that the 460-acre Belmont Park Village “is poised for a defining new chapter alongside the grand opening of the wider Belmont Park campus in 2027,” which includes the reopening of the renovated and downsized Belmont Park Racetrack, and UBS Arena, which opened in 2021.
“Throughout her career, Valerie has earned a reputation as a transformative leader known for building and scaling luxury brands, driving commercial growth and elevating the client experience across some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses,” the Bicester Collection said. “She has also played a role in shaping luxury retail destinations through her involvement in store development and real estate strategy.”
“What drew me to Belmont Park Village is my passion for delivering exceptional client experiences,” said Leon. “The American luxury consumer is more discerning and more global than ever, and Belmont Park offers something genuinely rare: a campus where world-class brands, hospitality, sport and entertainment come together in one place. My focus is on making that experience worth the journey, for the clients we welcome and for the brand partners who trust us with their names.”
“Belmont Park Village is already demonstrating the extraordinary potential of The Bicester Collection in North America, and its most exciting chapter lies ahead,” said Desiree Bollie, chair and global chief merchant of Value Retail, creator and operator of The Bicester Collection. “Valerie brings deep luxury expertise, a strong commercial instinct and a profound understanding of the client. As we prepare for the grand opening of the wider Belmont Park in 2027, her leadership will help shape a future defined by exceptional experiences and meaningful growth.”
The Bicester Collection’s 12 villages are open-air discount shopping destinations with restaurants and services, primarily situated in Europe, as well as China and North America. The shops at all of the villages sell designer and upscale merchandise at off-price, although some in-season full-price merchandise also is available at some stores.
