Douglas Jakubowski has exited Perry Ellis International where he had served as chief merchandising officer for the past three and a half years.
Jakubowski is joining FitFlop, a British footwear brand, as president of North America to help the company build its American business.
Oscar Feldenkreis, president and chief operating officer of PEI, confirmed the departure and said Jakubowski has not yet been replaced. “At this moment we have bench strength to promote from within,” he told WWD.
Before joining PEI in the chief merchandising role in 2011, Jakubowski had been with Kenneth Cole Productions for nearly six years, serving as chief merchandising officer as well as president of Kenneth Cole Reaction. His most recent stint at PEI marked his second time at the company. From 1997 to 2003, he had been executive vice president of merchandising and design for Perry Ellis Menswear and from 2003 to 2005, was president of Perry Ellis Menswear.
According to an industry source, Jakubowski was seeking to return to a position where he could once again be the president of the company and his departure from PEI was on good terms. “It was the right thing for him,” the source said.