Warnaco Group Inc. (WRC) hired former Gap Inc. (GPS) Senior Vice
President Karyn Hillman to lead the merchandising of its Calvin
Klein business as the apparel company looks to expand into new
markets.
The company named Hillman to the newly created chief
merchandising officer position for Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin
Klein Jeans Accessories to oversee all design, product development,
merchandising and marketing. She joined Gap in 1991 and was most
recently senior vice president, overseeing merchandising for Gap
Women's, Men's, Accessories and GapBody.
Warnaco also promoted Mark Whyman to the new chief commercial
officer for Calvin Klein post to handle the wholesale and
direct-to-consumer businesses globally. He has been with Warnaco
for three years and most recently served as managing director of
Warnaco Asia Pacific region.
The appointments follow this month's decision by PVH Corp.'s
(PVH) Calvin Klein Inc. unit to exercise its rights to reacquire
the existing license agreements from Warnaco to distribute and sell
ck Calvin Klein apparel and accessories in Europe, effective
2013.
Warnaco on Thursday said it is segmenting the business into
creative and commercial segments to maximize its Calvin Klein
business, increase market share, grow direct-to-consumer and to
expand into new markets over the next five years.
"The organizational changes and key appointments we are
announcing are an important step in further strengthening and
positioning Warnaco to accelerate growth of our Calvin Klein
businesses and maximize their potential across the globe,
particularly as our direct-to-consumer channels become a larger
part of our business," said President and Chief Executive Helen
McCluskey.
Last month, Warnaco reported it swung to a fourth-quarter loss
on higher restructuring and pension charges as the apparel
company's 3.9% sales growth was driven mostly by the Calvin Klein
brand.
Shares closed Wednesday at $57.71 and were inactive premarket.
The stock has gained 15% so far this year.
-By Melodie Warner, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2283; melodie.warner@dowjones.com