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Otto Group names finance head its new chief executive as CEO moves to chairman role

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Freemans, Bonprix and Quelle owner Otto Group has named one of its veteran executives, Petra Scharner-Wolff, as its new CEO moving from her previous role as CFO.

Petra Scharner-Wolff

She takes over from highly regarded Alexander Birken who’s leaving the executive board after more than eight years as CEO to become chair of the Otto Group supervisory board, taking over from Dr Michael Otto.

Scharner-Wolff’s successor and new CFO of the group is Katy Roewer, who previously headed service, human resources and finance on the management board at Otto. The 49-year-old is another well-respected group veteran who first joined the firm in 2001.

The new CEO has a strong track record. She’s been a member of the Germany-based group’s executive board since 2015 but the 53-year-old originally joined the business in 1999 and from 2002, she assumed responsibility for the financial control of all group companies worldwide as VP of group controlling investments. 

She then moved to Schwab Group and was its chair from 2009. Responsible for the planning and financial controlling, finance and accounting, IT merchandise and technology, and human resources divisions. She also “shaped the successful development of” the Sheego fashion brand. 

In 2012, Scharner-Wolff moved back to Hamburg and took over a position on the management board at Otto where she was responsible for human resources, financial controlling and IT before being appointed to the group’s executive board.

Michael Otto said she’s “an exceptionally strong leader who stands out not just because of her wealth of experience, entrepreneurial skills, sharp mind but also because of her empathetic understanding of people and culture. 

“As CFO, she has played a key role in helping to steer the Otto Group through extremely challenging and changeable times in recent years, and I am sure Petra Scharner-Wolff has everything it takes to continue to shape the future of the group with sustainable success.”

Michael Otto also thanked Birken for what he’s achieved at the group and said he’s “delighted that he will be contributing his extensive entrepreneurial experience to the supervisory board as my successor as chair”.

 

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Clarks targets ‘little dreamers’ with Roald Dahl range

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Major footwear brand Clarks is inviting ‘little dreamers’ to step into the world of Roald Dahl with a new kids’ shoe collection, launching in the UK today (3 March) in stores and online.

In collaboration with The Roald Dahl Story Company, the collection includes some of its most beloved children’s stories – Matilda, The Enormous Crocodile, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach.

Including “designs that celebrate imagination, adventure, and fun”, the exclusive range is “crafted for curious minds and confident steps” featuring vibrant canvas shoes and breathable sandals adorned with Quentin Blake’s unmistakable illustrations.

Foxing Air is available in both toddler and kids’ sizes, these canvas trainers feature a colourful peach pattern, centipede details on the heel tape, and rubber trims adorned with illustrations of James’ insect friends. Hidden peach motifs also come with soles stamped with the words ‘Magnifico!’and ‘Splendifico!’

Foxing Mix and Foxing Hi are vibrant purple canvas trainers feature a sweet-wrapper print, candy-striped rubber trim, and a hidden Golden Ticket detail on the tongue. They channel the magic of Willy Wonka’s factory and both styles have ‘ I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’ scripted across the soles.

Foxing Ace features navy canvas trainers showcasing a fearsome crocodile motif that stretches across both shoes, encouraging kids to join them together to reveal the full illustration. Featuring ‘Munch’ and ‘Crunch’ wording on the soles and ‘Snap! Snap!’ printed across the fastening straps.

Foxing Bow, a tribute to the small-but-mighty Matilda, is an off-white canvas sneaker adorned with an all-over letter print and signature red bows. With ‘Brave’ and ‘Mighty’ scripted on the soles.

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Mr Porter unveils Spring Wardrobe Campaign

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Men’s high-end online fashion platform Mr Porter has launched its Spring Wardrobe Campaign from today (3 March).

Mr Porter

Showcasing “coveted essentials and must-try trends”, the 43-piece new season edit includes “the elevated nostalgia” of A.Presse workwear-inspired silhouettes, refined tailoring from Gucci, lightweight outerwear from Saint Laurent, understated denim from Tom Ford and shirting from Dries Van Noten “form versatile foundations for the season”. 

Finishing touches range from fine jewellery by David Yurman, to accessories by Bottega Veneta and footwear from Mr P.

Buying director Daniel Todd said: “With our Spring Wardrobe campaign, Mr Porter continues to be the go-to destination for menswear, with our coveted brand list and unrivalled edits making the shift to warm weather dressing effortless and enjoyable.”

The launch follows quickly on from Mr Porter’s first campaign of 2025, releasing ‘The New Essentials’, a 44-piece edit collection at the end of January. It too is focused on a curated collection of new-season essentials and “key investment pieces… designed for the ultimate capsule wardrobe that effortlessly blends modern tailoring with elevated staples” from Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Mr P, The Elder Statesman, Saman Amel, Stòffa and Bode with accessories from Tom Ford, Drake’s and Métier.

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After contract wins and category expansion, sizing tech firm Makip sets up official UK subsidiary

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Online sizing technology provider Makip says it’s “rapidly expanding”, and if confirmation is required, the business has officially entered the UK market, establishing Makip London Limited.

The Japanese company, whose online sizing technology Unisize is a provider to major retailing brands such as Lacoste, Fred Perry and Calvin Klein, calls entering  the UK “an important step in accelerating its global expansion and is part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in overseas markets”.

Commenting on the continued expansion in the UK, Shingo Tsukamoto, president of Makip, said: “Establishing our UK subsidiary is just the beginning. Our goal is to ensure that the products we have refined in Japan are equally valued in the UK market. 

“Together with our overseas team, we are committed to taking on the challenges faced by UK retailers to deliver performances worthy of the reputation we have built over a decade of working in Japan and becoming the most popular online sizing technology. Looking ahead, I aim to position Makip, and Unisize, as a leading name in UK Fashion Tech within a few years.”  
 
He noted that the issue of “inadequate size information in apparel e-commerce leads to persistently high return rates.

“This has increased the return handling costs for retailers and raised environmental concerns as returned products are often discarded. Unisize addresses these issues as has the user data to prove it.”
 
Tsukamoto concluded: “By identifying local needs and offering a unique and highly accurate online sizing service we aim to help UK retailers overcome the challenges they face with online sizing and enhance the overall online customer experience. 
 
“The establishment of Makip London Limited is just the beginning, we will continue to grow our market presence, listen to the local needs and experiences of our customers and offer true business value by both increasing sales and reducing returns.”

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