House of Fraser directors June Lawlor and Colin Porter are to leave the department store to join menswear brand Crombie in September.
June Lawlor, who was director of womenswear, accessories and beauty at House of Fraser, and Colin Porter, who was commercial director at the department store, will join Crombie as joint managing directors.
The duo plan to revamp the brand, focusing on its heritage and on producing classics with a twist. They also plan to expand Crombie’s network of standalone stores, concessions and its website.
Lawlor and Porter said: “We plan to evolve the brand in line with its luxury heritage…heritage like this cannot be bought – it is sustained over time. The Crombie coat has been mimicked by so many companies over the years, which is a great compliment to the brand – it’s a design classic.
“The opportunities are endless to expand through existing channels of standalone stores, concessions and the internet. Then to build the brand through wholesale, licensing and possibly franchises in the UK and worldwide. It is perfect timing to join Crombie, when we are seeing customers returning to classics and quality from trusted sources.
“Crombie as a business has no external debt and is in a strong financial position to seize the opportunity. The brand is not damaged; we plan to bring the vigor and know how to grow the brand worldwide.”
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