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Power Moves | Simon Whitehouse Named CEO of JW Anderson, Brashear Exits Hugo Boss, Vince Taps Ratabesi

BoF compiles the most important professional moves of the week.
Simon Whitehouse | Photo: K Johnny W Photography
By
  • Kati Chitrakorn

LONDON, United Kingdom — BoF compiles the most important professional moves of the week.

Simon Whitehouse Named First CEO of JW Anderson
JW Anderson has tapped Simon Whitehouse as the label's first chief executive, just eight months after luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired a minority stake in the London-based label. "I wanted someone who had a sales background and someone who could understand the needs of a small business and a younger team," said Anderson. Whitehouse, who has previously held executive positions at Matthew Williamson and Diesel, will work with Anderson to oversee and manage his increasing team of designers, visual merchandisers and sales assistants. The new appointment coincides with the unveiling of the label's new headquarters and atelier, as well as the launch of the brand's first e-commerce website. The online site is set to launch on 16 June and will offer "unique colour ways" and more globally available products.

Mark Brashear Exits Hugo Boss
Hugo Boss said on Tuesday that Mark Brashear, chairman of the board and president of Hugo Boss USA, has departed the company. Claus-Dietrich Lahrs, who was appointed chief executive of Hugo Boss in 2008, will oversee the Americas until a successor is named. He is responsible for Hugo Boss, BOSS and the brand's licenses, overseeing womenswear, menswear and fragrances. Brashear joined Hugo Boss USA in 2009. Prior to his role at Hugo Boss, he served as executive vice president at Nordstrom for nearly 23 years, from 1985 to 2008. Brasher's exit comes a month after Boss reported a 7 percent decline in sales in the Americas.

Vince Taps Natalie Ratabesi as New Creative Director
Women's contemporary label Vince has named British designer Natalie Ratabesi as its new creative director, following her exit from her former role as creative director at Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti last month. She follows up Doo-Ri Chung, who left the brand in October. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Ratabesi was taken on by Alberta Ferretti late 2012. Prior to joining Philosophy, Ratabesi was senior creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren. Ratabesi will be working alongside Nicole Wiesmann, who remains vice president of Vince's menswear categories. Both creative directors will report to the label's president and chief creative officer, Karin Gregersen, who is in charge of all creative aspects of the label including marketing, visual merchandising and the label's wholesale business. Ratabesi will relocate to Los Angeles and begin her role overseeing womenswear design on June 16. Her first collection will be for pre-fall 2015.

Eric Sandrin Named Legal Director at Kering
Luxury conglomerate Kering has tapped Eric Sandrin as the group's new legal director, effective June 10. Sandrin is set to report to Jean- François Palus, the managing director of Kering. Sandrin, 49, joins the group from the French reinsurance company Scor, where he served as a general legal counsel since March 2011. Prior to Scor, he worked as a legal director and general secretary at Atos Origin. Sandrin succeeds Michel Friocourt, who has been appointed as advisor to group chairman and CEO François-Henri Pinault, on topics such as governance, organization, strategy and development, as well as special initiatives for the group and its brands. Kering spans luxury brands such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Stella McCartney, Sergio Rossi, and Puma.

Britt Aboutaleb joins Yahoo Beauty as Managing Editor
Bobbi Brown, the newly signed editor in chief of Yahoo Beauty, has hired Britt Aboutaleb as managing editor. Aboutaleb who was just named multimedia director at Allure at the end of March, will start her new role at the online beauty magazine on Monday. Aboutaleb founded beauty-focused site Byrdie.com and was formerly fashion news editor at Elle.com and editor in chief of Fashionista.com. The appointment is the latest in a string of key hires. Last month, the site hired Elle's longtime creative director Joe Zee to head up their fashion vertical.

Chief Executive Jan Singer to Lead Spanx
Former Nike executive Jan Singer has been tapped as the new chief executive officer of Spanx. Singer is currently corporate vice president of global apparel at Nike. Prior to that, she was the firm's corporate vice president of global footwear. Earlier, she managed Reebok's women's business and held senior communication roles at Chanel, Calvin Klein and Prada. Singer joins Spanx in July, reporting to founder and owner of the company, Sara Blakely. She succeeds Laurie Ann Goldman who stepped down last February.

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