FOOTWEAR BRAND DONALD PLINER UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Fashion footwear brand Donald Pliner is under new ownership. The deal took place at the end of 2018 when Donald Pliner’s parent company, DJP Holdings, was sold by Castanea Partners to Studio H 33, owned by John Hanna. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In addition to ownership, Hanna has also joined the Pliner team as chief executive officer.
Hanna most recently held office of CEO at Thomas Wylde. Prior to that Hanna served as CEO of Private Collections Co. where he managed the company’s global fashion and lifestyle operations, as well as overseeing licensing, brand architecture and distribution strategy.
Previous executive positions also include CEO of Charles David of California, CEO of The House of Lloyd Klein and CEO of The Fashion House, in addition to advisory board positions at BCBG and other retail brands and private equity groups.
“I have followed the Donald Pliner brand for decades and I believe in the power of its heritage and the craftsmanship of the footwear,” said Hanna. “I’m thrilled to lead the dedicated Pliner team into the future of luxury design for the brand.”
The announcement comes during a key milestone for Pliner as 2019 marks the brand’s 30th anniversary.
Donald Pliner was founded in 1989 by footwear designer Donald J. Pliner. The brand is known for its combination of fashion, fit and comfort in an assortment of men’s and women’s dress and casual footwear. Products are sold nationwide in select specialty stores and upscale department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s and Macy’s.
I hope that the change over of ownership will reduce the amount of shoes offered at discount by stores suchas Nordstrom’s Rack,and on-line, a better replenishment inventory ,and less styles produced in China.