News

March 14, 2008

Tommy Bahama CEO, Co-Founder Retires

Tommy Bahama CEO and co-founder Tony Margolis has announced that he is retiring June 1st. He will be replaced by retail veteran Terry Pillows, who is moving from New York to Seattle to head the West Coast company.

Pillows has worked with companies such as Coach, Neiman Marcus and Polo Ralph Lauren over his 30-year career. He will be the first CEO to head the company other than Margolis.

Margolis will remain an advisor to the company after his retirement.

Posted by Blacks at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)

March 13, 2008

Balenciaga Opens New Melrose Ave. Store

U.S. Balenciaga fans no longer have to go to Manhattan to get their fix. The designer brand just opened a new 5,000-square-foot store in West Hollywood, offering a complete collection of apparel, gowns, handbags and accessories.

The two-storey Melrose Ave. space has a futuristic feel and is decorated in Balenciaga’s signature blue shades.

The new store is part of a larger expansion strategy, the company said.

Posted by Blacks at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)

March 12, 2008

Theory's Leavitt Tapped To Lead Kate Spade

Former Theory exec Craig Leavitt has been named the new co-president and chief operating officer of Kate Spade. Leavitt will share his president role with creative director Deborah Lloyd.

Kate Spade parent company Liz Claiborne hopes that the two executives will be able to triple sales at the brand by 2010. They will also be charged with drawing up a five-year plan to launch in new product categories.

Posted by Blacks at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)

March 11, 2008

Chloé Taps MacGibbon As Creative Director

Longtime Chloé collaborator Hannah MacGibbon is taking over as the company’s new creative director. MacGibbon, 38, worked for five years under previous Chloé creative director Phoebe Philo and has recently done consulting for the brand.

The new director will be doing her first collection for the Spring 2009 season, debuting in October.

MacGibbon replaces Paulo Melim Andersson. Melim Andersson is an edgier designer but his designs reportedly produced slower sales.

Posted by Blacks at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)

March 10, 2008

Banana Opens Higher-Priced Men's Concept Store

Banana Republic is temporarily turning its Greenwich Village store into a new men’s concept store called Monogram. The Monogram concept includes tailored and more fashion forward clothing at a higher price point. The store will be open for nine months to test customer reaction.

A Monogram women’s collection is also in the works and will debut this spring. Banana will try out the women’s collection in its own concept store when the merchandise is available.

Posted by Blacks at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)