NEW YORK — Narciso Rodriguez has hired himself a chief.
The designer has tapped Roberto Pesaro as president and chief executive officer of Narciso Rodriguez LLC, a newly created post. Pesaro comes to Rodriguez with more than 30 years of experience. Most recently, he was chief operating officer at Giorgio Armani Corp., which he left in February.
“As the company has grown so much through the years, I have acted as both designer and president, but we really felt the need for someone to go forward with the business and grow it even more,” Rodriguez explained Wednesday when asked why he chose to create the ceo position now. “I have met different people through the years, but when you meet someone you are in sync with, with the same views and beliefs, it’s the right time.”
At Armani, Pesaro headed the U.S. subsidiary of the Italian fashion house in tandem with Gaetano Sallorenzo, who was at that time president of sales and marketing, but who also departed in February after five years at the firm. Pesaro was in charge of finance, operations, management information systems, human resources and retail development at Armani. Prior to that, he was the founder, president and chief operating officer of Luxlook Ltd., a worldwide Internet retailer that offers such brands as Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith, Missoni and Moschino. Pesaro is also a member of the board of trustees of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
At Rodriguez, Pesaro will be in charge of the business side, taking over some of the responsibilities previously held by the designer. Kathy Kalesti, vice president, continues to be in charge of merchandising, distribution and sales worldwide.
“There are times that I really would like to focus just on design,” Rodriguez said. “I have been involved in the business side so much, and Roberto is here to help me alleviate that burden.”