Gary Friedman back as chairman, co-CEO of Restoration Hardware

Corte Madera, Calif. – Restoration Hardware Holdings announced that Gary Friedman has been reappointed co-CEO and chairman, effective immediately. Friedman will return to his prior role at the company alongside Carlos Alberini, who has also been named co-CEO. The retailer, now calling itself RH, also said it has acquired the full rights to Friedman’s new venture, Hierarchy, which it will rebrand as RH Atelier.



Friedman stepped down from Restoration last October, reportedly after the board determined that he had had an inappropriate relationship with a female employee. However, the company never commented on the reasons for his departure and subsequently gave Friedman the title of chairman emeritus, creator and curator.



“I am honored to be rejoining Carlos, and the entire RH team in our quest to create the most innovative and inspiring brand in the industry,” Friedman stated. “This team's ability to curate and integrate new products, businesses and experiences, then scale them across our multi-channel platform has enabled us to build one of the fastest growing brands in the marketplace.”



Restoration said that the Hierarchy concept will focus on the development of luxury apparel, accessories, footwear and jewelry, and be integrated and launched on the company’s platform.



Friedman served as chairman and Co-CEO of Restoration Hardware from June 2010 to October 2012 and served as CEO since March 2001.



Prior to joining the company, Friedman spent 13 years at Williams-Sonoma, Inc., where he served as president and COO from 2000 to 2001, as CMO and president of retail stores from 1995 to 2000 and as executive VP of the company and president of the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn brands from 1993 to 1995.



Previously, Friedman spent 11 years with The Gap, Inc. in various leadership positions.