Influential Buyer Randy Brewer Leaves Villains Boutique Chain
High-profile fashion buyer Randy Brewer announced he left influential San Francisco fashion boutique chain Villains on Sept. 4. He led buying and managed the three-boutique chain for 12 years.
Brewer left after Villains owner David Engel said he wanted to exert more control over the business. Engel lives in Bangkok and has opened two Villains SF boutiques in the Thai capital. His primary residence will continue to be in Bangkok. Brewer's decision to leave the company was amicable and made mutually with Engel, according to Brewer.
Now Brewer is looking for a gig. “Either I’m going to open my own store or find one that needs me to get it going. That’s what I’m good at,” he said.
Brewer helped change the direction of Villains. When he was hired in 1997, it was a high-end store offering labels such as Helmut Lang and Costume National. Under Brewer's direction, it became one of the leading California boutiques for premium denim styles. Brewer has been a highly sought-out buyer at directional trade shows such as Project Global, Class and Capsule.
