Biography
In May 2016, Rodrigo Bazan stepped down as president at Alexander Wang to join Thom Browne as chief executive officer. Bazan has driven the highly respected American tailoring specialist's continuing international growth.
At Thom Browne, Bazan put a big emphasis on womenswear and direct-to-consumer. Market sources indicate Browne touched the symbolic figure of $100 million in 2016, and grew by 25 percent in 2017. In August 2018, Italian heritage brand Ermenegildo Zegna acquired an 85 percent stake in Thom Browne, in a deal that valued the company at $500 million.
As president of Alexander Wang, Bazan oversaw the roll-out of 27 new stores, and led the merchandising, marketing and sales strategies of the celebrated young designer’s eponymous label. The first president to be appointed since its launch in 2005, Bazan was personally selected by Wang to help steer the brand through its planned phases of growth, which included aggressive expansion in the Far East. Initially managed by Dennis and Aimee Wang, Bazan took up the position in December 2010. Since his appointment, the brand has overseen the successful opening of its first flagship store in Beijing, along with 14 others across the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. In July 2013 the brand also expanded its e-commerce site to cater to Canadian customers.
Prior to his appointment at Alexander Wang, Bazan served as vice president and general manager for the Europe, Middle Eastern and Indian markets for Marc Jacobs International, where his duties involved directing the brand’s expansion into new markets and product categories.
Born in Argentina to a Spanish father and Italian mother, Bazan graduated from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in Buenos Aires. He began his professional career as a corporate auditor in Deloitte and Touche Argentina before taking up a position in the internal audit team of Motorola EMEA. Joining the Gucci group in 2002, Bazan served as internal audit manager and chief financial officer of Alexander McQueen for 5 years, before joining Marc Jacobs International in 2007.
In 2012 Bazan served as a member of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund business advisory committee, providing mentorship and guidance to the competition entrants.