Want more on the latest executive changes in the shoe industry?
July 29, 2016: Leanne Fremar, former SVP and executive creative director for women’s and concept divisions at Under Armour, is headed to Starbucks Corp. Fremar has been appointed SVP and executive creative director of the giant coffeehouse chain, effective in October.
July 28, 2016: Roberto Cavalli SpA has tapped former Versace CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris as its new CEO. Former Cavalli CEO Renato Semerari is leaving the Italian fashion group. Francesco Trapani is also exiting his role as president of Cavalli, effective Sept. 10.
July 25, 2016: Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse has named Craig Scheiderer its new marketing director. Scheiderer will lead the development and execution of strategic marketing, creative and digital initiatives. He most recently served as business development consultant at Scorch Agency, a St. Louis-based marketing firm.
July 22, 2016: Susquehanna Financial Group LLLP (SFG) announced that Sam Poser has joined the firm as the senior analyst covering the footwear and apparel industry. Prior to joining the firm, Poser spent nine years at now-defunct Sterne Agee CRT, most recently serving as managing director covering footwear and apparel. SFG also announced on July 22 the departure of primary analyst Christopher Svezia, who covered the footwear and apparel industry.
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July 20, 2016: Holt Renfrew Ltd. has named Mario Grauso its new president, succeeding Mark Derbyshire. According to the company, Derbyshire decided to step down after seven years as president to pursue new career opportunities. Grauso, who is currently president of the Joe Fresh brand and has spent time at Vera Wang, Céline and Giorgio Armani, will join the Canada-based department store chain in September when Derbyshire leaves.
July 20, 2016: Oscar de la Renta creative director Peter Copping is exiting the brand after two years as its creative head. He was the first designer to take the reins following the death of de la Renta in October 2014. A replacement has not been named.
July 18, 2016: Nordstrom announced Monday two changes to its executive team. Scott Meden will become EVP and chief marketing officer, and Kristin Frossmo has been named EVP of the shoe division. Meden replaces Brian Dennehy, who left the company recently. Frossmo has been with the company for 28 years, serving in various roles throughout the shoes division.
July 18, 2016: Nike Inc. announced that 19-year company veteran Steve Lesnard will become VP and GM of global running, succeeding Patrick Seehafer, who will become VP of Europe merchandising. Lesnard currently serves as VP and GM of running for North America. He will begin his new role on Aug. 1, reporting to Jayme Martin, VP and GM of global categories.
July 15, 2016: Asics America Corp. has hired Andrew Richard as its VP of regional sales, effective immediately. Richard joins Asics from Puma, where he most recently served as the global head of merchandising for footwear. He has also spent time at Timberland and Reebok.
July 14, 2016: 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.
July 13, 2016: Eight months after UBM Americas appointed Chris DeMoulin as managing director of its fashion business, the executive has exited the post. DeMoulin, who ran UBM’s licensing and automotive businesses until his appointment as managing director last November, served as president of Magic from 2008 through 2012.
July 13, 2016: Jimmy Choo co-founder and former CEO Tamara Mellon has hired Jill Layfield to serve as CEO of her namesake luxury footwear label. Layfield most recently served as CEO of athletic-and-outdoor specialty retailer Backcountry.com, where she spent more than 10 years before stepping down in December. Last year, Mellon sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for her company and has since received a round of $12 million Series A funding to help rebuild the label.
July 11, 2016: Bogs Footwear has hired Kevin Kious as VP of sales for its work division. Kious will lead the brand’s next phase of growth in the sector, including farm, service and safety categories, the company said. He has spent more than 30 years in the footwear industry with roles at Timberland and Keen Footwear.
July 11, 2016: Marco Gobbetti has been named CEO of Burberry Group, replacing Christopher Bailey, who has been named president. Bailey will retain his role as chief creative officer. Julie Brown has been appointed to the new role of chief operating and financial officer.
July 7, 2016: Rome-based fashion group Valentino has confirmed that Maria Grazia Chiuri is leaving the company. Pierpaolo Piccioli will become sole creative director of Valentino. Chiuri is leaving after 17 years with the brand and eight in her role as co-creative director with Piccioli. The duo first worked together at Fendi for 10 years.
July 6, 2016: Hudson’s Bay Co. today announced that its vice chair Bonnie Brooks will retire on December 31, 2016. Brooks’s retirement culminates a 40-year career in fashion retail and marketing, including more than eight years at HBC. From 2008 to 2012 she was the first female CEO and president of Hudson’s Bay during the transformation of the banner in Canada.
