Kellwood Taps Industry Veteran to Helm Parker; Move to Spur Continued Growth for Contemporary Women's Brand

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kellwood Holding LLC, a leading apparel manufacturer, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Suzanne Silverstein as President of its Parker brand, an upscale line of women's contemporary apparel.

Reporting to Kellwood Company CEO Lynn Shanahan, Silverstein will use her significant experience in successfully building brands to capitalize on the explosive growth that Parker has achieved to date as well as to grow the brand through new product categories and global expansion.

Silverstein brings more than 20 years of fashion industry experience to Parker, most recently as Vice President of Sales for the US for 7 For All Mankind, a manufacturer and retailer of premium denim. Prior to that, she worked for six years as a consultant to the industry utilizing her extensive knowledge of the contemporary market to help clients build stronger brands that included Rebecca Taylor, Sam Edelman, Hautelook and Zac Posen. She also served as Vice President for Contemporary Sportswear at Saks Fifth Avenue where, during her tenure, she led the department to triple digit growth.

"I am thrilled to welcome Suzanne as President of Parker," said Kellwood CEO Lynn Shanahan. "With her extensive background of building businesses, she will provide the leadership necessary to develop the Parker brand into its full lifestyle potential. Parker has been an excellent acquisition for Kellwood. The brand has experienced substantial growth since its inception and is well positioned to continue this trajectory."                                                            

Founded in 2008, Parker designs, manufactures and markets premium contemporary apparel at an opening price point, and has dramatically grown during its first five years.  Known for its key design elements such as striking prints on fine fabrics, flirty silhouette enhancing cuts and bold and exuberant colors, Parker collections reflect the confidence and versatility of the day-to-night style of its fashion forward, global customer.

"We are excited to have Suzanne join as our President," said Howard Highman, EVP, and Founder of Parker. "Our partnership with Kellwood has been beneficial in every way.  It allows us to do what we do best – create cutting edge, contemporary women's apparel while allowing us to grow and enter new categories. The addition of Suzanne to our team will strengthen our position in the market and help lead our global growth."

"It is exciting to have a chance to work with the exceptional team at Parker that has done so much to position the brand at the forefront of the contemporary space," Silverstein said. "Together we will be able to build on the momentum that is established in the U.S., and take the brand to new levels globally."

At the time of its acquisition of Parker, Kellwood announced that it was drawn to the brand because of its distinctive styling, and Kellwood's ability to leverage its strong manufacturing, marketing and e-commerce capabilities to further build the brand.  Parker's clearly communicated brand identity has sparked the attention of and inspired loyalty from fashion-forward women, influencers, editors, celebrities and retail partners globally. Parker is sold in fine department and specialty stores in the United States, including Saks, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, and in some 30 countries internationally.

About Kellwood
Kellwood Holding LLC designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of premier contemporary fashion brands, junior and women's fashion labels, and private label apparel. These brands cover a broad range of consumer lifestyles including Rebecca Taylor, Sam Edelman, Parker, XOXO, My Michelle, Jolt, Democracy, Sangria, Jax, Sag Harbor and Briggs NY. Kellwood operates retail stores and the e-commerce site for Rebecca Taylor and the e-tail store, Mason & Belle. Kellwood Holding LLC is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

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SOURCE Kellwood Holding LLC