SCOTCH & SODA BOLSTERS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Scotch & Soda is bolstering its management team under its recently-named CEO Frederick Lukoff, who joined the brand in September 2019 as CEO.
The Amsterdam-based fashion brand has named Karis Durmer to the role of CEO Americas based in New York reporting to Lukoff and responsible for North and South America. Durmer replaces Ari Hoffman who left the company in October.
Additionally, Scotch & Soda has named Stephane Jaspar as its new chief marketing officer and Ludovic Le Gourrierec as its chief commercial officer, a newly created role. Both will now be based in Amsterdam and will also report directly to Lukoff.
Durmer will join the company in April from Altuzarra, where she has been CEO for the last 8 years. She started her career in finance at the investment banking firm Bear Stearns in New York before pursuing her career in fashion, first in publishing at Condé Nast and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, before launching Make Meaning, a children’s retail activity concept. She joined Altuzarra in 2011 and became CEO in 2012.
Jaspar has more than two decades’ experience in the fashion and entertainment industries, including 17 years for Stella McCartney, and held positions at Miramax Films and most recently at The Webster the luxury retailer. He will develop and implement all aspects of marketing and communications initiatives worldwide as well as overseeing the brand identity, storytelling, and consumer experience across all ready-to-wear and licensed lines.
And, Le Gourrierec brings more than 25 years’ experience in the fashion industry, with previous commercial roles in leading luxury houses including John Galliano and Lanvin, whilst he led the menswear business for Yves Saint Laurent and most recently Stella McCartney for the last 4 years. In this newly created position, he will oversee retail, wholesale, e-commerce, and franchise across all regions except for the Americas.
It is an important time for the company, as it continues its transformation with its direct to consumer retail channels now accounting for more than half of revenues. The company prepares for its next phase of growth, as it continues the acceleration of its global retail footprint in new markets, with a focus on the e-commerce channel with an omnichannel experience in mind, as well as developing existing and new categories to the brand’s product offering.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Karis, Stephane, and Ludovic to the team, and to have their experience and expertise now part of the Scotch & Soda family, making them an important addition to our talented and passionate team as it enters a new phase of development with many exciting projects coming up,” said Lukoff. “The brand is uniquely positioned across the industry to deliver on the promise of the spirit and the liberal values of Amsterdam based on tolerance, freedom, and individuality. The city is way ahead of its times and those values are important today, particularly in a world where they are under attack.”