NEW YORK — Robert Vignola, the driving force behind sweeping changes at 44-year-old accessories brand Leiber, is stepping down after only a year as president and chief executive officer.
Creative director Frank Zambrelli has been named president. Zambrelli, who has worked at Cole Haan and Chanel, spearheaded many of the initiatives for the brand, including the line of bags designed by stylist Rachel Zoe and, sources said, a collaboration with designer Andrew Gn to bow this fall. He also codesigns his own collection with Silvano Banfi, called Banfi-Zambrelli.
Vignola, who was executive vice president at Burberry North America before joining Leiber, plans to consult with private equity firms on fashion, luxury and accessories brands and deals.
“After a year of reorganization and refocusing for the company, it was just the right time,” Vignola said. “I think the luxury market certainly has a lot of buoyancy. There’s an opportunity for luxury products and accessories to grow.”
During his tenure, the brand — owned by private equity firm Pegasus Capital Advisors — changed its name from Judith Leiber, hired socialite Vanessa Getty as its spokesmodel and launched a fine jewelry collection while introducing a more fashion-forward and youthful aesthetic. In addition to tapping Zoe, Leiber last year announced plans for a fragrance to come out in the fall and an initiative to open stores internationally.
Leiber has six stores in the U.S., including a Madison Avenue flagship in New York. Zambrelli’s primary mission in his beefed-up role will be to grow the retail doors globally and expand wholesale distribution overseas.
“I’ve always had a leg in each camp,” Zambrelli said of his involvement in the business and creative side. “It’s the nature of the business today. Perhaps it’s not the right situation for all businesses, but luxury happens in a different manner….There’s always been that overlap at Leiber. [This role] will give me a chance to reconcile that; to understand the consumer and her life. I’m evolving the brand.”
Zambrelli noted that Leiber’s customer base had grown dramatically to include young, fashion-focused and older, loyal consumers who crave their jeweled alligator clutches.
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Leiber now offers product categories including bags, shoes, furs, fine jewelry and eyewear, licensed to B. Robinson Optical.
Zambrelli said Leiber might grow with more licenses and expand the footwear and fur businesses, in addition to continuing with high-profile designer and artist collaborations.
“What we’re doing now has a little bit more elasticity. It’s not just red carpet and full-on glamorama evening,” he added. “It’s the notion of bringing special occasion quality of the product to things that are more casual.”