Bowing In at Eddie Bauer

Fabian Mansson, former head of trendy European retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), has been named ceo of Eddie Bauer (Seattle). Mansson, 38, succeeds Richard Fersch, who retired from the struggling specialty retailer in January.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone with Mansson's experience and retailing capability to lead Eddie Bauer as we work to invigorate the brand,” says Martin Zaepfel, vice chairman, president and ceo of The Spiegel Group, Bauer's parent company. “Mansson is a highly regarded retail executive who is credited with upgrading H&M's image and steering the company into a leadership position. He has a proven ability to develop highly efficient and fast processes in sourcing and merchandising, which will be particularly important as Eddie Bauer strives to be quicker and more flexible in delivering products and services that address customers'needs.”

Mansson went to work for H&M in 1991 and served in a variety of roles, including group merchandising manager and division manager, before being named ceo in 1998. He left the company in 2000, and was most recently executive vp with Spray Ventures, a Swedish venture capital firm.