Zac Posen Joins Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers Group Inc. (New York) has named A-list designer and “Project Runway” judge Zac Posen creative director for its lines of women’s wear and accessories. Posen will oversee the retailer’s current design and merchant teams and will work in brand development. Posen will continue to operate his own design business while working with Brooks Brothers, according to Women’s Wear Daily. The 196-year-old company has worked to update and enhance its women’s line in recent seasons in an attempt to win over a larger female customer base. Currently, women’s wear accounts for about 20 percent of Brooks Brothers’ sales.  

While the addition of Posen is certain to generate publicity for the company, Brooks Brothers ceo Claudio Del Vecchio told WWD, “This is our main women’s collection, and if I didn’t think he could deliver, I wouldn’t risk it…this is a business decision.”