Reed Krakoff, the fashion designer who became president of Coach Inc. (New York), has bought his brand back from Coach and will run it as a separate business.
Krakoff will be the creative director and largest shareholder of Reed Krakoff Intl. LLC, but has a team of investors that partnered in the acquisition, including Mark Ein, ceo of Venturehouse Group LLC; Mitch Rales, co-founder of Danaher Corp.; and certain funds managed by T. Rowe Price. Coach will also retain a minority stake.
Ein will be chairman and Valerie Hermann will hold her previous role as ceo.
Krakoff was with Coach for 16 years, while also developing his standalone brand. He resigned in August, when the new deal closed. Coach has given up the rights to develop and market lines under the Reed Krakoff name. The Krakoff brand of small leather goods, shoes and ready-to-wear is sold at retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.