The Road to Zutopia

The Wet Seal Inc. (Foothills Ranch, Calif.) has announced the hiring of former Limited executive Susan O'Toole as president of its new Zutopia retail division.

The Zutopia chain has 30 stores catering to tween customers. The company plans on opening approximately 10-15 new Zutopia stores in its fiscal 2002.

O'Toole spent nine years with The Limited (Columbus, Ohio), eventually serving as president of The Limited Too division, growing it to 292 stores. Prior to The Limited, she served in various capacities, including executive vp and gmm, with Seiferts & Lavogue (Washington, Iowa), a women's and juniors'specialty retail chain of 235 stores. Most recently, O'Toole had been operating a consultancy to the apparel industry.

“We believe that Susan's impressive career accomplishments in the apparel industry, paralleled with her entrepreneurial talent and clear ability to operate an independent operating division, perfectly complements our goal to successfully grow and develop our new tween Zutopia chain,” said Wet Seal vice chairman and ceo Kathy Bronstein. Wet Seal bought the Zutopia operation from Gymboree (Burlingame, Calif.) in 2001. The company also operates 454 Wet Seal/Contempo Casuals stores catering to the junior customer and 84 Arden B. stores focusing on more fashionable, sophisticated and contemporary customers.