Stuart Weitzman promotes vice chair to CEO; plans new stores

New York - Wayne Kulkin, former vice chairman of Stuart Weitzman, has been appointed CEO of the company, effective immediately. Kulkin will continue to report to Stuart Weitzman, executive chairman of Stuart Weitzman.



"Wayne has been a true partner over the last 23 years,” said Weitzman. “His passion, creativity and business acumen have been essential in driving our growth across diverse channels, and I am confident that Wayne will be equally instrumental in his new role as CEO.”



As CEO, Kulkin will focus on strategic global expansion and other growth opportunities for the Stuart Weitzman brand. In addition, Kulkin will assist with the selection of an executive team to support the brand's growth initiatives and develop a strategic roadmap for the future of the brand.



Stuart Weitzman expects to conduct a major store expansion during the next three years and expects wholesale and e-commerce growth, licensing opportunities, and brand extensions. Planed new stores include an international flagship store in Milan, Italy opening later this month as well as stores opening in Hong Kong, Rome and New York City later this year. Stuart Weitzman currently has 100 freestanding stores, three e-commerce sites and 80 countries of distribution, and plans to launch an e-commerce site serving the Asia-Pacific region.



"I am honored and excited to step into the role of CEO to help position the Stuart Weitzman brand for continued growth and development across its many channels," said Kulkin.



Stuart Weitzman also announced that as part of its continued global expansion across all channels, Roberta Lee has joined the company in the newly created role of VP of marketing, Asia Pacific. Lee will be responsible for driving the development, implementation and overall communications strategy for Stuart Weitzman in the Asia Pacific region.