Senior Fashion Industry Executive to Lead Expansion of Only Designer Label in Direct Sales Apparel Industry
NEW YORK, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Acierno, a senior fashion industry executive with more than 25 years of experience in the luxury apparel business, has been named chief executive officer of Bill Blass New York, a direct sales apparel company reshaping the industry under the iconic namesake of a quintessential American luxury brand.
Mrs. Acierno brings significant expertise leading apparel businesses in all major distribution channels including online, catalog and retail. She was previously president of new business development at Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, where she successfully conceived and launched Karl Lagerfeld as a global multi-channel luxury brand and H Hilfiger, a U.S. vertical retail specialty store. Prior to that, she was an executive vice president at Victoria's Secret Direct where she grew the Victoria's Secret clothing business to the top position in the direct channel.
"Ann has a proven track record leading high-growth businesses, extensive experience developing and enhancing world-class brands and an acute fashion sense that has enabled her to identify new opportunities that resonate with today's consumers," said Jeff M. Feinberg, a managing director and partner at Angelo Gordon & Co., owners of Bill Blass New York. "As Bill Blass New York redefines the apparel industry by marrying a direct sales business model with an iconic luxury brand, she will be instrumental in expanding our operations through the addition of new sales consultants and continuing to define and enhance the Bill Blass brand as it is embraced by a new generation of sophisticated women." "Just as Bill Blass played an indelible role in defining American fashion, Bill Blass New York is now poised to have a major impact in shaping the apparel industry for decades to come," said Mrs. Acierno. "Not only are women looking for fashion that balances contemporary styling with their lifestyle needs, they're looking for personalized service and a shopping experience that's more akin to buying right from the runway than from the rack." She added: "Bill Blass himself was a pioneer of the trunk show as a way of bringing clothes directly to his clients. Bill Blass New York is a modern incarnation of that vision, positioning the brand to again make fashion history by expanding and, indeed, elevating the way consumers think about direct sale retailing and attracting more talented people to the business." Earlier in her career, Mrs. Acierno was a senior vice president at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she reorganized the brand's Folio catalog division, expanding the business and significantly increasing market share. She has also held senior positions at Estee Lauder Online, Popular Club, a division of J. Crew, and Henri Bendel.
In retailing since the age of 16, Mrs. Acierno started her professional career in the training program at Macy's becoming one of the company's youngest buyers.
About Bill Blass New York Bill Blass New York, the only luxury label in the direct sale apparel industry, launched its premier collection in July 2006. The luxury lifestyle line, sold through private trunk shows by sales consultants throughout the United States, features a range of styles from day to evening. More information can be found at http://www.billblassnewyork.com/ or call 1-800-901-7895 extension 214. DATASOURCE: Bill Blass New York CONTACT: Hannah Arnold or Casey DePalma, +1-212-575-4545, both for Bill Blass New York Web site: http://www.billblassnewyork.com/
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