NEW YORK — Harry Slatkin has been named vice chairman at Belstaff.
Slatkin, who is an investor in the Labelux-owned brand and, since 2011, served as its chief executive officer, will continue in that role as well as vice chairman until the company hires a new ceo. He will remain on the Belstaff board.
“Over the last two years, we have worked hard to build Belstaff’s foundation,” said Belstaff chairman and Labelux ceo Reinhard Mieck. “As a global brand with offices in New York, London, Milan and Florence, we have forged a tremendous network, and the new ceo will continue to expand and enhance the future of the brand.”
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At the recent Belstaff men’s presentation in Milan of the collection designed by the brand’s creative director, Martin Cooper, Slatkin told WWD that in the two years since the brand has been relaunched, sourcing and supply-chain operations have been refined, the company has begun shipping early and, as a result, prices have dropped 30 percent this year. “We are truly a global brand — and now we’re an affordable luxury one, too,” he said.
The change in management structure is part of Labelux’s strategy to expand the brand globally. Since the company was taken over by Labelux with a group of investors that also includes Tommy Hilfiger, a Belstaff store opened on Madison Avenue as well as in such cities as Munich and Milan. A London flagship is slated to open in September.
“In the past two years, Belstaff has repositioned itself as a global luxury leader,” Slatkin said. “The new ceo will have vast experience in worldwide retail, wholesale and operations, allowing Belstaff to implement its next phase of growth.”