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.
Angela Missoni exits creative director role. The designer is stepping back after 24 years in the role, though she will remain in place as president of Missoni. She is handing over the creative reins to design director Alberto Caliri for an interim period.
Brendon Babenzien to head J.Crew’s menswear division. The co-founder of streetwear brand Noah and former Supreme designer has been named creative director of the mall brand’s men’s business. His first collection will be released in the second half of 2022. Babenzien will also continue to head Noah with his wife Estelle Bailey-Babenzien, according to WSJ, which first reported the news.
Ron Gee promoted to president and CEO of Shiseido Americas. Gee, who has been the chief financial officer for Shiseido Americas since 2016, will be responsible for Shiseido’s Americas-based brands, including Drunk Elephant and Laura Mercier, effective July 1. He will report to Masahiko Uotani, president and group CEO of Shiseido. A CFO replacement has not yet been named.
Michael Kors Appoints New President of EMEA Region. The US-based brand’s owner, Capri Holdings Ltd., announced the appointment of longtime Michael Kors executive Robin Gendron to the position, effective June 1. Gendron will succeed Cedric Wilmotte and report to chairman and chief executive of Capri, John D. Idol.
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Communications Agency BPCM appoints global head of sustainability and impact. François Souchet joins the firm — which counts Calvin Klein and Longchamp as clients in its ModusBPCM division — from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, where he spearheaded the “Make Fashion Circular” initiative. Souchet will be based in BPCM’s London Office (ModusBPCM) with partner Julian Vogel.
Marks & Spencer shuffles roles on senior management team. The company appointed Katie Bickerstaffe and Stuart Machin joint chief operating officers as it reorganised ahead of a push to drive growth. Chief financial officer Eoin Tonge will take on the additional role of heading strategy and planning, previously overseen by Bickerstaffe. Machin will maintain control of the company’s food arm in addition to his new duties.
Fashion retailers are promoting fewer store employees into corporate roles, missing out on key expertise and diversity as a result.
Discover the most exciting career opportunities now available on BoF Careers — including jobs from Hugo Boss, Banana Republic and House of CB.
To provide actionable insights and inspiration on how fashion and retail industries can further embed diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and business strategies today, BoF Careers co-hosted a panel discussion with The Outsiders Perspective. Now, BoF shares key learnings from the panel.
A US regulator has banned most uses of the clauses, which started as a way for fashion companies to prevent senior executives from walking off with trade secrets, but have become a standard retention tool.