NEW YORK — Christa Michalaros has joined Rafaella Apparel Group Inc. as chief executive officer.
Michalaros succeeds Glenn Palmer, who was hired in June, at the same time Cerberus Capital Management acquired the assets of Rafaella Sportswear Inc. Palmer will remain an adviser to Rafaella, its board and Cerberus.
Until January 2005, Michalaros was president of the Tommy Hilfiger women’s wear division, a post she held for five years. Prior to that, she worked her way through the ranks of Liz Claiborne, from sales assistant to president of the company’s casual group, where she was responsible for overseeing nearly $1 billion in business.
In business for more than 25 years, Rafaella is a better women’s career and casual sportswear brand sold in retailers such as Macy’s, Belk, Nordstrom and other better department and specialty stores.
“This is a terrific brand and I see an opportunity here for tremendous growth,” Michalaros said. “For now, I would like to enhance our existing lines with more novelty and fashion in various product categories. I will also work to grow the casual business since we are already heavy in career. Overall, I would like this brand to offer more of a lifestyle of products.”
Michalaros said she is already at work to increase the company’s denim business and eventually will look at licensing opportunities. She will also join the firm’s board.
“We are very excited about having someone of Christa’s caliber join our team,” Rafaella director Vanessa Castagna, who is also executive chairwoman of Mervyn’s and a senior member of the operations team at Cerberus, said in a statement. “She will help us expand the brand and support our customers in new ways that will drive substantial growth in the future.”
Michalaros reports to the seven-member board at Cerberus.