Checking Out: Chris Love

What does the vp of architecture and construction do for the BCBG Max Azria Group?
I’m responsible for the brand’s architecture, construction and procurement worldwide. That includes retail, wholesale, tradeshows, showrooms, corporate offices and licensee business globally.

How did you acquire such varied experience?
In my nearly 29 years in the business, I’ve had only five jobs, but I’ve had the opportunity to work and learn from some of the best in the industry. My exposure to all parts of the business gives me a unique perspective from the retail, design and contracting sides.

You were exposed to this industry at a relatively young age, yes?
My father has been in the retail design business since the mid ’60s, and I visited his office and sat drawing in a corner when I was a boy. My first job was as a junior draftsman with WalkerGroup/CNI in the mid ’80s, while I went to architecture school at night. It left an amazing impression on me.

You were there at the beginning of the brand era, weren’t you?
In the mid-‘90s, I joined Calvin Klein as director of international planning. The industry was changing, the big stores were beginning to lose their dominance, and the brands were beginning to emerge, to the point where they had their own in-house store design staffs.

How did it pay off for you?
Within a couple of years, Robin Kramer and Jeffery Hutchinson called, looking for somebody to run production drawings and construction management division of their company. Robin Kramer Inc. (New York) was essentially the in-house store planning division of Donna Karan. We worked on DKNY SoHo, Donna Karan Madison Avenue – all the brands globally. Then 9/11 hit and everyone’s business slowed down dramatically.

What brought you to BCBG?
In 2004, they were about to expand and needed someone who understood the entire business, to build internal and external teams of designers, architects and construction managers. All of the experience I had accumulated for nearly 20 years came together.

And now you run the team?
We have a great dedicated group, both internally and externally, and I mentor the process. I am sort of a ringmaster, keeping it all on schedule and within budget while injecting as much passion as possible in everything we do.

Is there anything more important than passion in this business?
Well, talent helps, and hard work is essential. But yes, you have to have a passion for what you’re doing, believe you have a better product and constantly question and check yourself to keep improving it.

Where does the passion come from?
It has to come from within. You can’t subscribe to it. You can’t join the “Passion of the Month Club.”

Voices from My Father

Your father is also Christopher Love?
Yes, different middle names, though. Still, it was confusing, as we worked together for nearly 10 years at CLDA in Miami. We were Big Chris and Little Chris, even after I became bigger than he was.

Was he a strong influence?
My father’s voice was always in my head. He drilled into me, “First one in, last one out – and always wear a shirt and tie!” When I joined him in his firm, he handed me a broom and a phone book. He said, “You’ve got to learn how to keep an office clean and how to call on suppliers.”