Michael Burke began by working with Bernard Arnault in real estate in France and then in the United States. After the founding of LVMH, Bernard Arnault put him at the head of Christian Dior in the United States. In 1993, Michael Burke became president and CEO of Louis Vuitton North America. He was, among other things, the force behind the acquisition of Marc Jacobs. He then returned to Paris as managing director of Christian Dior worldwide.

Appointed head of Fendi in 2003, he is currently CEO of Bulgari. With nearly 200 outlets and concessions around the world, Bulgari expects to open three flagship stores—in London, Hong Kong, and Paris—in 2012