LONDON — Elizabeth von der Goltz has left her role as senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Bergdorf Goodman, and is joining Net-a-porter in the new role of global buying director, WWD has learned.
She will relocate to the company’s London headquarters this summer, and will lead Net’s buying strategy across all product categories. She will be responsible for driving sales and developing product collections, Net has confirmed.
Von der Goltz will report to Alison Loehnis, president of Net-a-porter and Mr Porter, and to Matthew Woolsey, managing director of Net.
“I am ready to apply my experience to reinforce Net-a-porter as the number-one online destination for luxury retail,” said von der Goltz.
Loehnis said von der Goltz has an “exceptional eye for product and a deep and abiding understanding of the international luxury customer,” as well as a proven track record in growth, business development and strong relationships with brands.
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Her appointment comes four months after Sarah Rutson, vice president of global buying at Net-a-porter, resigned from her post after a little more than two years in the role.
A Bergdorf’s veteran and highly regarded executive, von der Goltz joined the store in 2000 as a buyer. In her latest position, she oversaw fine apparel, designer sportswear, contemporary collections, jewelry and beauty — and nurtured those businesses across product categories.
One of her main achievements was revamping the store’s jewelry department, redesigning the space and refreshing the jewelry offer with a mix of fine and fashion jewelry designs.
That experience should serve her well at Net, which is rapidly pumping up its fine and designer jewelry offer with exclusive launches, pop-ups and new categories such as demi-fine, entry-price precious jewelry.
Her husband is Baron Andreas von der Goltz. He is the designer of Arkwear, a line of polo shirts that benefits the Wildlife Conservation Society.
With von der Goltz leaving the store for Net-a-porter, the Neiman Marcus Group disclosed changes to Bergdorf’s merchant organization, stating that Melissa Lowenkron, senior vice president and gmm, will increase her oversight to all women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags and beauty. She will report to Jim Gold, president, chief merchandising officer of the Neiman Marcus Group.
Also, Kenneth Gaston has been promoted from vice president, associate general merchandise manager, to vice president and general merchandise manager. In addition to his current responsibilities for the men’s divisions, he will assume responsibility for jewelry, decorative home and Little BG children’s divisions. Gaston will report to Lowenkron.
This month, Joshua Schulman left his post as president of Bergdorf Goodman to join Coach, and Gold assumed his role while a search for a new BG president is conducted.
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