Whipple Heads Neckwear at Aron

LAS VEGAS – Allen Whipple has joined The Aron Group in the new position of president of the neckwear division.

Like Harold Fischer, who was earlier named president of the company’s belts and leather goods unit, Whipple reports to William Aron, president of the New York-based accessories firm.

Whipple has had a 28-year career in the neckwear industry, beginning with the merchandising organization of Sanger Harris. Later, he was with Robert Stewart for 13 years. Most recently, he spent a decade with Mallory & Church, where his last post was vice president of sales.

“I’m grateful for the chance to continue doing what I’ve always loved doing,” he said.

Aron said that the firm’s business is split approximately 50-50 between neckwear and leather goods, and that by appointing heads of the two areas they’d both be better situated for growth.

M. Aron markets products under an assortment of in-house, acquired and licensed names, such as Jacobs & Roberts and Rooster, but has also positioned itself as a product development partner to retailers including J. Crew and Polo Ralph Lauren’s Rugby division.

“Among our goals is to become the boutique product development source for neckwear, belts and other accessories,” Aron said. “We’re driving into the branded part of the business, and we’re looking into opportunities to do more there, but we’ve also got a level of merchandising and technical expertise that enables us to do nearly 100% of color, fabric and other product development internally for any store that needs it.”

Aron has become nearly entirely vertically integrated in recent years. Among its acquisitions was the Studio Silk fabric house.