Zadig & Voltaire's New North American CEO, Kristen Sosa, Aims to Grow Commercial Footprint, Increase Brand Awareness and Grow Accessories
Since assuming the reins as North American CEO of Zadig & Voltaire, the Kristen Sosa's top priorities are to expand the brand's retail footprint, increase its accessories business and increase overall awareness for the Paris-based brand.
A 28-year industry veteran, Sosa spent 23 years at Saks Fifth Avenue, rising to vice -Executive President and Chief Merchant for Gilt Groupe and Saks Off Fifth and was Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Digital for the full line. She then joined Olivela as Chief Merchant and Senior Advisor and became President Americas at Marc Jacobs.
After some consultation, Sosa found that she enjoyed all aspects of being in A brand. "I missed running a business and leading a team," said Sosa, who joined Zadig & Voltaire this spring.
Related GalleriesSosa said she knows the Zadig brand from her years of traveling in Europe. "I always bought the brand, loved the aesthetic and vibe of the brand and it was a brand that always resonated with my style," she said. According to her, the Zadig & Voltaire client is both a younger and more avant-garde fashion girl and a sophisticated buyer.
One of his top priorities is to expand the brand's business footprint in North America. North, where it has 30 stand-alone stores. The brand sees Texas as a big opportunity for retail stores and will add stores in Tribeca in Manhattan (in June) and in Los Angeles and Georgetown, Washington D.C., later this year. Stores that carry the brand include Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
Remy Baume, Global CEO of Zadig & Voltaire, said she was looking for Sosa to keep accelerating its growing North American business, particularly the accessories segment.
“In addition to his significant experience in our luxury industry in the region, his strong leadership style subtly complements that of our management committee. Kristen will be instrumental in increasing the share of Zadig & Voltaire's accessories category in North America to Europe's level of 50%," said Baume.
Accessories currently represent 30% of North American business and the company is looking to get it to 45 percent of the company over the next two to three years, Sosa said. Accessories include handbags, which she says “have been explosive,” as well as shoes, small leather goods and jewelry. Handbags sell for around $400 to $900, with some embellished and studded bags as high as $1,000. Zadig & Voltaire recently introduced a new Le Cecilia bag, which averages in the $600 range but goes up to $1,000 and has been rock solid.
The third priority is to increase brand awareness through social media, VIP partners and the image campaign set up by general quarters. "The digital channel is going to drive it," she said.
In North America, retail (stores and dealerships) accounts for 60% of business , digital is about 30% and wholesale 10%. The company declined to disclose North American and global volume.
As for ready-to-wear, Sosa said the dresses were very solid and that the tops were doing well. "Our blazers are the strength of our business," she said.
She said summer deliveries have just started to hit the sales floor and are selling out fast . “We are seeing a nice increase in our retail channels. Over the past two years, the brand has experienced strong year-on-year growth. In a difficult climate, we are achieving very good results,” Sosa said.
Since assuming the reins as North American CEO of Zadig & Voltaire, the Kristen Sosa's top priorities are to expand the brand's retail footprint, increase its accessories business and increase overall awareness for the Paris-based brand.
A 28-year industry veteran, Sosa spent 23 years at Saks Fifth Avenue, rising to vice -Executive President and Chief Merchant for Gilt Groupe and Saks Off Fifth and was Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Digital for the full line. She then joined Olivela as Chief Merchant and Senior Advisor and became President Americas at Marc Jacobs.
After some consultation, Sosa found that she enjoyed all aspects of being in A brand. "I missed running a business and leading a team," said Sosa, who joined Zadig & Voltaire this spring.
Related GalleriesSosa said she knows the Zadig brand from her years of traveling in Europe. "I always bought the brand, loved the aesthetic and vibe of the brand and it was a brand that always resonated with my style," she said. According to her, the Zadig & Voltaire client is both a younger and more avant-garde fashion girl and a sophisticated buyer.
One of his top priorities is to expand the brand's business footprint in North America. North, where it has 30 stand-alone stores. The brand sees Texas as a big opportunity for retail stores and will add stores in Tribeca in Manhattan (in June) and in Los Angeles and Georgetown, Washington D.C., later this year. Stores that carry the brand include Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
Remy Baume, Global CEO of Zadig & Voltaire, said she was looking for Sosa to keep accelerating its growing North American business, particularly the accessories segment.
“In addition to his significant experience in our luxury industry in the region, his strong leadership style subtly complements that of our management committee. Kristen will be instrumental in increasing the share of Zadig & Voltaire's accessories category in North America to Europe's level of 50%," said Baume.
Accessories currently represent 30% of North American business and the company is looking to get it to 45 percent of the company over the next two to three years, Sosa said. Accessories include handbags, which she says “have been explosive,” as well as shoes, small leather goods and jewelry. Handbags sell for around $400 to $900, with some embellished and studded bags as high as $1,000. Zadig & Voltaire recently introduced a new Le Cecilia bag, which averages in the $600 range but goes up to $1,000 and has been rock solid.
The third priority is to increase brand awareness through social media, VIP partners and the image campaign set up by general quarters. "The digital channel is going to drive it," she said.
In North America, retail (stores and dealerships) accounts for 60% of business , digital is about 30% and wholesale 10%. The company declined to disclose North American and global volume.
As for ready-to-wear, Sosa said the dresses were very solid and that the tops were doing well. "Our blazers are the strength of our business," she said.
She said summer deliveries have just started to hit the sales floor and are selling out fast . “We are seeing a nice increase in our retail channels. Over the past two years, the brand has experienced strong year-on-year growth. In a difficult climate, we are achieving very good results,” Sosa said.
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