NEW YORK — Carolina Herrera Ltd. has named Francois Kress chief executive officer.
Kress, who was most recently global president of Stuart Weitzman LLC, joins the Herrera team following consecutive years of profitability at the fashion brand, stemming from such initiatives as enhanced digital branding, expanded product offerings, increased international distribution, bolstered retail partnerships and infrastructure investment.
Upcoming is a creative collaboration with Mario Testino, a longtime friend of Herrera’s. Nearing her 34th anniversary, the designer has recruited Testino for a branding project that aims to define a cohesive visual expression for both Carolina Herrera New York and CH Carolina Herrera across all product categories, from fashion to accessories and fragrance. There will be a global launch in September.
Related Articles
Other areas of strategic investment, including retail and digital projects, are also in development.
You May Also Like
Kress assumes some of the responsibilities previously handled by Caroline Brown, who resigned as president in September to become ceo of Donna Karan International, part of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Kress, who officially starts today, is based in the New York office and reports to Jose Manuel Albesa, chief brand officer for Barcelona-based parent company Puig. With more than 20 years of experience, Kress was previously president and chief operating officer at The Row; president and ceo of Prada for North and South America, and held various executive roles at LVMH, including Fendi’s president for North America.
“We look forward to Francois joining the team, bringing his broad knowledge and expertise in luxury fashion to lead Carolina Herrera in achieving the next stage of growth,” Albesa said. “Carolina Herrera is an incredibly dynamic brand epitomized by Carolina herself, known and appreciated around the world — we have a great opportunity right now to leverage this very solid foundation and reach the full potential.”
While Herrera’s current annual sales were not disclosed, the Puig-owned fashion house said in May 2012 that it had global retail sales estimated at $1.3 billion the year before, up 21 percent from 2010.
Herrera and Testino, who share a Latin American heritage, are believed to have wanted to work together for some time. While Testino has photographed the designer and her collection for Vanity Fair and other editorial assignments, this marks the first time they have teamed up for advertising or branding. In recent seasons, the designer has infused her ad campaigns with a noticeably more modernist spirit. Antwerp-based lensman Willy Vanderperre shot the spring ads in front of I. M. Pei’s modernist glass pyramid East Building at the National Gallery in Washington.
Herrera’s profile has been on the ascent recently: Earlier this month, First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Cambodia wearing a Carolina Herrera silk printed dress from the designer’s spring collection.