The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
NEW YORK, United States — David Lauren, the son of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, has reached the C-suite after being promoted to chief innovation officer and vice chairman of the company his father founded almost 50 years ago.
The 44-year-old’s innovation position was created to drive the Ralph Lauren brand across all channels, the New York-based company said Friday in an e-mailed statement. The appointment is part of chief executive officer Stefan Larsson’s “Way Forward” plan to revive Ralph Lauren Corp.’s sales and make the classic American brand cool again.
David Lauren’s role “will help us create a sustainable competitive advantage by bringing us closer to the consumer as we continue to evolve the company from the core of its iconic brand,” Larsson said in a statement.
Larsson has shaken up Ralph Lauren's management and pledged to react faster to new trends by reducing the time it takes for designs to reach stores. The company was among other fashion brands that allowed customers to buy items from its collection right after the New York Fashion Show to capture immediate sales. Jane Nielsen, Coach Inc.'s former chief financial officer, also joined the company last month to help execute its turnaround plan.
David Lauren, who’s been on the company’s board since 2013, was previously executive vice president responsible for the global advertising and marketing campaigns for all of the company’s brands. He helped launch the company’s website, pioneered its use of digital technology and built its e-commerce capacity, the fashion house said.
Ralph Lauren climbed as much as 2.7 percent to $104.17 in New York. The shares had slid 9 percent this year through Thursday.
By Stephanie Wong; editors: Nick Turner, Kevin Orland and Mark Schoifet.
From analysis of the global fashion and beauty industries to career and personal advice, BoF’s founder and CEO, Imran Amed, will be answering your questions on Sunday, February 18, 2024 during London Fashion Week.
The State of Fashion 2024 breaks down the 10 themes that will define the industry in the year ahead.
Imran Amed reviews the most important fashion stories of the year and shares his predictions on what this means for the industry in 2024.
After three days of inspiring talks, guests closed out BoF’s gathering for big thinkers with a black tie gala followed by an intimate performance from Rita Ora — guest starring Billy Porter.