Gap Inc. names industry veterans to develop beauty, accessories businesses
Gap. Inc. has unveiled a slate of top talent to develop beauty and accessories into new “growth engines” for the company.
The apparel giant tapped former Nordstrom beauty executive Deb Redmond as general manager of beauty, and Michele Parsons, who has worked with Kate Spade, Coach, J. Crew and Tommy Hilfiger, as general manager of accessories, with both appointments effective immediately. The new roles are intended to “advance the strategy, product development, customer experience, and go-to-market execution of beauty and accessories across the company’s portfolio of brands,” Gap Inc. said in a press release.
In addition, the retailer has “engaged” award-winning designer Reed Krakoff, formerly of Coach and Tiffany & Co. and currently creative chairman at Tom Hardy, and John Demsey, former executive group president of Estee Lauder, as executive directors of accessories and beauty, respectively. The roles are advisory.
Earlier this month, Gap Inc. said it was expanding into beauty with a phased launch, beginning with its Old Navy division, followed by a 2026 launch in Gap stores. The retailer plans to apply the same approach to expand its accessories business.
In announcing the appointments, the retailer said beauty and accessories will serve as two new high-potential business categories for the company, extending the reach of its brands and their ability to deepen connections with customers.
“Building on the renewed strength of our iconic brands, we are setting the stage for Gap Inc. to accelerate long-term value creation and connect with our customers in meaningful and culturally relevant ways,” said Gap Inc. president and CEO Richard Dickson. “With the support of best-in-class industry leaders and their unparalleled expertise to guide and advise our beauty and accessories businesses, we’re well poised to not only expand our product offerings but establish these categories as promising growth engines for our portfolio.”
