Stuart Weitzman Appoints Wayne Kulkin Chief Executive Officer

Roberta Lee Named Vice President of Marketing, Asia Pacific to Support Global Expansion

News provided by

Sep 10, 2013, 07:00 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Stuart Weitzman today announced that Wayne Kulkin, former Vice Chairman, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Kulkin will continue to report to Stuart Weitzman, Executive Chairman of Stuart Weitzman.

As CEO, Kulkin will focus on strategic global expansion and other growth opportunities for the Stuart Weitzman brand. In addition, Kulkin will assist with the selection of an executive team to support the brand's growth initiatives and develop a strategic roadmap for the future of the brand.

"Wayne has been a true partner over the last 23 years. His passion, creativity and business acumen have been essential in driving our growth across diverse channels, and I am confident that Wayne will be equally instrumental in his new role as CEO," said Mr. Weitzman. "Attracting senior-level talent for the hands-on, entrepreneurial culture at Stuart Weitzman will be a key part of our next phase of growth. I believe that Wayne will succeed in leading this endeavor and help ensure that the brand culture is maintained for the next generation and beyond," said Mr. Weitzman.

"I am honored and excited to step into the role of CEO to help position the Stuart Weitzman brand for continued growth and development across its many channels," said Mr. Kulkin.

Stuart Weitzman also announced that as part of its continued global expansion across all channels, Roberta Lee has joined the company in the newly created role of Vice President of Marketing, Asia Pacific. Lee will be responsible for driving the development, implementation and overall communications strategy for Stuart Weitzman in the Asia Pacific region. She will report to Susan Duffy, Chief Marketing Officer. Lee most recently served as Head of Fashion Marketing for Chanel Limited, with responsibility for the strategic business planning and marketing for Hong Kong and Macau.

"Roberta has an impressive understanding of the luxury market and will be a tremendous asset to the company," said Ms. Duffy. "We are implementing this strategic role as a result of our fast-paced retail expansion in the Asia Pacific region and Roberta's appointment will help support the levels of sales growth we envision over the next several years."

Growth Initiatives and Highlights

Stuart Weitzman expects to conduct a major store expansion over the next three years and foresees considerable wholesale and e-commerce growth, licensing opportunities, and brand extensions, including handbags and accessories. A dedicated creative team for handbags has been developed and new designs will be unveiled in the second half 2014.

Finding talent that fits into the hands on and entrepreneurial culture of the Stuart Weitzman brand will be essential to success in the next stage of the company's growth and to ensure that the brand culture is maintained for the next generation and beyond. First on the agenda are the addition of a Global President and Global Retail President.

The Zaha Hadid-designed international flagship is slated to open during fashion week on the storied via Sant'Andrea in September. Other store openings planned in 2013 include the Zaha Hadid designed shops in Hong Kong, Rome and New York City. Stuart Weitzman currently has 100 freestanding stores, three e-commerce sites and 80 countries of distribution.

One of the most important growth initiatives to date has been the September 2012 launch of a Stuart Weitzman website servicing all of Europe in four languages. The next major digital expansion will be a site servicing the entire Asia Pacific region.

Stuart Weitzman is a division of The Jones Group (NYSE: JNY).

ABOUT STUART WEITZMAN HOLDINGS LLC

A little obsessed with shoes.

Stuart Weitzman Holdings LLC, a global leader in designer footwear, operates 46 retail stores across the United States, including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Boston and Las Vegas. The company also has 57 international stores and is sold in more than 80 countries.

A luxury brand built upon the idea of creating a beautifully-constructed shoe, founder and designer Stuart Weitzman's main objective has always been to merge fashion and function. The first thing a women puts on in the morning and the last thing she takes off at night, his shoes are designed to feel as good as they look and to look as good as they feel.

ABOUT THE JONES GROUP INC.

The Jones Group Inc. (www.jonesgroupinc.com) is a leading global designer, marketer and wholesaler of over 35 brands with product expertise in apparel, footwear, jeans wear, jewelry and handbags. The Jones Group has a reputation for innovation, excellence in product quality and value, operational execution and talent. The Company also markets directly to consumers through branded specialty retail and outlet stores, through concessions at upscale department stores and through its e-commerce sites.

The Company's internationally recognized brands and licensing agreements (L) include: Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Kurt Geiger, Rachel Roy (L), Robert Rodriguez, Robbi & Nikki, Stuart Weitzman, Brian Atwood (L), Boutique 9, Easy Spirit, Carvela, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Nine & Co., GLO, Joan & David, Miss KG, Kasper, Energie, Evan-Picone, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Grane, Erika, Napier, Jessica Simpson (L), Givenchy (L), Judith Jack, Albert Nipon, Pappagallo and Rafe (L).