Rolf Eriksen

In just a few short years, fast fashion has evolved into a potent force on the retail scene, and a good deal of the credit for that transformation goes to Rolf Eriksen. As CEO of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), Eriksen oversees the Swedish retail giant’s ever-expanding global portfolio.

His efforts to expand into the United States have not only succeeded beyond initial expectations, but have changed the game plan for many U.S. apparel retailers, or at least those catering to the young and fashion-conscious who want the latest runway styles at bargain-basement prices. Under Eriksen, H&M also has set the industry spinning by launching exclusive, limited lines with the likes of Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli. The collections have not only created near frenzy among shoppers, but also caused major U.S. players such as Target to jump into the limited-edition market.