Coach Inc. has named Wendy Kahn CEO and brand president of Stuart Weitzman, effective Sept. 13.
Kahn, who currently serves as CEO of Valentino USA and V.F.G. USA and Canada, will succeed former Stuart Weitzman chief Wayne Kulkin, who will become a consultant to Coach.
“Wendy’s success in developing global luxury brands and extensive general management experience make her the ideal candidate to lead Stuart Weitzman, building on the brand’s strong foundation,” said Coach CEO Victor Luis in a news release issued Thursday. “She is highly regarded as a brand champion and for her ability to drive growth in both wholesale and retail channels and across categories including footwear, apparel and accessories.”
Prior to joining Valentino, Kahn served in leadership roles at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for brands including Marc Jacobs, Celine and Pucci.
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“Coach is an exceptional company, and Stuart Weitzman is a brand I’ve long admired, fusing fashion and fit, with a unique positioning at the gateway to luxury,” Kahn said in a statement. “I look forward to contributing to its growth and partnering with the entire leadership team.”
Kulkin spent 25 years working closely with executive chairman Stuart Weitzman to create and develop the luxury designer footwear brand. Luis noted that he looked forward “to leveraging Wayne’s expertise as we develop our multibrand opportunity in the growing global footwear category.”
Executive chairman Stuart Weitzman was upbeat on adding Kahn to the leadership ranks of his eponymous brand.
“In Wendy, we have found a leader that respects our culture, understands luxury brands and offers us the leadership skills and management experience to enable us to realize our full potential,” Weitzman said.
Coach bought the Stuart Weitzman brand in January 2015 for $574 million. Since then, the luxury label has been a boon to business, producing standout performances during the past three quarters.
