Guess Names New Chief Design Officer
Guess? Inc. named Sharleen Ernster Lazear as the chief design officer for the Los Angeles–headquartered denim lifestyle brand.
Lazear, who was appointed May 1, most recently worked as executive vice president of design for mall-based lingerie chain Victoria’s Secret.
Lazear will direct design and development for all product categories for the company’s Guess and Marciano brands, including apparel and licensed accessories, said Guess Chief Executive Paul Marciano. “She brings a new level of leadership in design, beginning with concept all the way through the market.” Marciano said. “She has a successful track record of designing brand-right product that captures the emotions of the consumer.”
Guess also hired a top merchandising executive recently. On April 12, Hillary Super was named senior vice president and general merchandise manager.
The company is coping with some tough financial times. On March 20, the apparel and retail brand said its net earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2013 were $81.4 million, a 15.1 percent decline compared with $95.9 million for the same period a year earlier.
Marciano predicted that a tough market will continue to affect the company’s sales. However, expansion into underserved markets will boost profits and “streamlining” operations would create savings, he noted.
