HMX names chief creative officer

NEW YORK HMX announced that menswear designer Joseph Abboud has been appointed president and chief creative officer of HMX's portfolio of brands. Abboud will lead the creative direction for brands including Hickey Freeman, Hart Schaffner Marx, Coppley, Bobby Jones, Exclusively Misook, Simply Blue (Christopher Blue Denim, Worn Men's and Women's) and Monarchy Collection.

The first collections overseen by Abboud will be introduced in July and will be in stores by spring 2011. 

Abboud has been a designer for more than 30 years. He served as associate director of menswear design for Ralph Lauren before launching his own label in 1986. He was also the first designer to win a Council of Fashion Designers of America award as Best Menswear Designer two years in a row.

"Joseph Abboud is not only an influential design talent, but also a signature figure in American fashion," said Doug Williams, chief executive officer of HMX. "I'm excited to be working together to create a new traditionalism in men's apparel."