J Brand’s co-founder and CEO Jeff Rudes is leaving the company. Japanese parent company Fast Retailing, which acquired a majority stake in the Los Angeles-based premium denim and sportswear label in 2012, made the formal announcement yesterday and said that Andrew Rosen, CEO of Theory and Helmut Lang, will serve as interim CEO until a replacement is named. Rosen will work with Lynne Koplin, president of J Brand, during the transition.
Rudes founded J Brand with Susie Crippen in 2004. It has since gone on to be one of the top premium denim brands. Crippen left the company in 2010. “We are grateful for Jeff’s pioneering vision and spirit. He has assembled a stellar team of executives who I am confident will successfully advance the mission of making J Brand a global leader in premium denim. We wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Fast Retailing’s president, chairman and CEO Tadashi Yanai in a statement.
“After nine extraordinary years building J Brand, it’s time for me to move on and create what’s next. It took an amazing team of people to bring this company to where it is today, and I acknowledge each and every one of them for their contribution. I would like to thank Tadashi Yanai and Fast Retailing for a rewarding partnership over the last 18 months,” added Rudes.
Rudes founded J Brand with Susie Crippen in 2004. It has since gone on to be one of the top premium denim brands. Crippen left the company in 2010. “We are grateful for Jeff’s pioneering vision and spirit. He has assembled a stellar team of executives who I am confident will successfully advance the mission of making J Brand a global leader in premium denim. We wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Fast Retailing’s president, chairman and CEO Tadashi Yanai in a statement.
“After nine extraordinary years building J Brand, it’s time for me to move on and create what’s next. It took an amazing team of people to bring this company to where it is today, and I acknowledge each and every one of them for their contribution. I would like to thank Tadashi Yanai and Fast Retailing for a rewarding partnership over the last 18 months,” added Rudes.
