Christian Dior Couture
Christian Dior Couture appointed Kim Jones as the artistic director of Dior Homme for the accessory and ready-to-wear collections. The Central Saint Martins alum will present his first collection for Dior Homme at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in June 2019.
Pantone & X-Rite
Ondrej Kruk has been named president of Pantone LLC and X-Rite Incorporated. Kruk will oversee the continued expansion of Pantone and X-Rite’s product and solution portfolio that spans material appearance and color forecasting. Since 2015, Kruk has served as the general manager of Alltec, a Danaher business that offers laser marking and engraving technology. Prior to Alltec, Kruk held several roles at Videojet, a coding, marking and variable data printing solutions provider.
L.K. Bennett
International luxury brand L.K. Bennett announced that its CEO, Darren Topp, is stepping down from his post. Topp has helmed L.K. Bennett since September 2016, following several leadership roles at BHS, a U.K.-based department store chain. Topp, who did not confirm his next move, will be replaced by former East boss Erica Vilkauls, who became interim CEO of the women’s apparel retailer in November, until East fell into administration in January. Her resume includes a stint at Thomas Pink, where she served as chief operating officer for the men’s retailer.
Citi Trends
Value retailer Citi Trends promoted Bruce Smith to serve as permanent CEO. Since 2017, Smith has served as acting CEO, while the board conducted a search for a permanent CEO. As a Citi Trends veteran, Smith has held several executive roles at the company, including senior vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer. His resume includes previous stints at specialty fabrics retailer Hancock Fabrics and discount store chain Fred’s Inc.
In addition, Stuart Clifford, Citi Trends’ vice president of finance, was promoted to senior vice president and cfo. Clifford joined Citi Trends in 2006 form Friedman Jewelers.
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ModCloth
Mat Kanness, the CEO of ModCloth, is leaving Walmart, following the sale of ModCloth to the giant retailer a year ago. Kanness joined ModCloth as CEO in 2015, after he served as chief strategy officer at Urban Outfitters. Kanness’ role is now held by Antonio Nieves, the former chief financial officer of Bonobos.
Vetta Brands
Consumer brands solutions provider Vetta Brands named Jeff Frye as chief operating officer. Frye, who has more than 20 years of executive experience, joins Vetta Brands from Hoorsenbuhs, where he served as the jewelry company’s chief operating officer and president. His resume includes previous stints at Cone Mills, Gap, Guess and Lucky Brand.
Tapestry
Tapestry appointed Anna Bakst as the CEO and brand president of Kate Spade. Baskt, who has more than 25 years of global fashion experience, joins Kate Spade from Michael Kors, where she was group president of accessories and footwear until January 2017. Prior to joining Michael Kors in 2003, Bakst served as Donna Karan International’s president of accessories and footwear for 12 years. She is currently on the board of directors for Modern Meadow, a biofabrication company and serves as an associate professor at Pratt Institute’s Design Management program. She succeeds Craig Leavitt, who exited Kate Spade last year.
The RealReal
The RealReal, a luxury consignment company, appointed Jun-Sheng Li as chief operating officer and Len Eschweiler as chief revenue officer.
In his role, Li will be responsible for applying new technologies to scale the company’s e-commerce center operations. Li joins The RealReal from Walmart, where he was senior vice president of e-commerce supply chain.
As chief revenue officer, Eschweiler will mange The RealReal’s direct and white glove sales channels. Eschweiler, who brings 20 years of sales management and e-commerce experience, previously held leadership roles at Amazon and Affirm, a financial company.
Lanvin
Olivier Lapidus, Lanvin’s artistic director, has departed Lanvin following the sale of Lavin to Fosun, a Chinese investment group, last month.
Lapidus joined Lanvin in July, where he succeeded French designer Bouchra Jarrar. Lanvin, which was led by Alber Elbaz for 14 years until 2015, has struggled over the past few years to achieve the commercial success it accumulated during Elbaz’s tenure. Lanvin’s in-house design team will oversee the women’s wear collections until Lapidus’ replacement is confirmed.
Fosun fashion group also announced other executive leadership appointments. Nicolas Druz, Lanvin’s formal general manager since 2017, was appointed as managing director of the Fosun fashion group. In addition, Joann Cheng, Fosun fashion group president and chair of Lanvin’s board of directors, was named as interim CEO.
American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters appointed Suja Chandrasekaran to its board of directors as an independent director. Chandrasekaran currently serves as Kimberly-Clark’s chief information officer. Her resume includes previous stints at The Timberland Company and Walmart Stores Inc.
Esprit
Anders Kristiansen, New Look’s former CEO, was appointed as Esprit’s CEO, effective June 1. He will succeed José Manuel Martínez Gutiérrez , who is stepping down from his post. As part of this leadership transition, Raymond Or Ching Fai, independent non-executive chairman, will become the executive chairman, effective April 1.
Jordan Brand
Gentry Humphrey was named as Jordan Brand’s vice president of footwear. Humphrey, a footwear veteran, currently serves as Nike’s vice president of profile sports. He will be rejoining Jordan Brand, after departing the company in 2011 to take on a Nike Sportswear leadership position.
DXL
Destination XL Group CEO and president David Levin is retiring at the end of the year. DXL’s board of directors appointed Heidrick & Struggles International to search for Levin’s successor, which is projected to be completed by the end of the 2018 fiscal year. Following his retirement as CEO, Levin will provide transition support and assistance on requested projects.
Vera Wang
Vera Wang president Veronique Gabai-Pinsky resigned from her post. Peggy Eskenasi, a former Kohl’s executive, will take over for Gabai-Pinsky as the company’s new president.