MUJI Labo
Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI‘s high-end product line, MUJI Labo, announced the departure of its Creative Director, Obana Daisuke.
The brand has not yet announced a successor, but Obana stated on his personal social media that a new structure will be adopted. Obana joined MUJI Labo in 2016, overseeing the men’s collection.
Obana Daisuke, born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, attended a menswear school during his student years but dropped out after three months. He worked at the vintage store VOICE for three years starting in 1992, gaining experience in store management and buying. Due to work, he frequently traveled to the U.S. and Hollywood, earning the nickname “Mister Hollywood.” In 1995, he joined the vintage buyer store go-getter, and in 1999, he began selling reworked and original clothing lines at the store. In 2000, he founded his own brand, N.HOOLYWOOD, which started officially releasing collections two years later and became one of Tokyo’s representative fashion brands. Celebrities like Hidetoshi Nakata, Takuya Kimura, Kazuya Kamenashi, Ryuhei Matsuda, Shota Matsuda, Jude Law, and Ewan McGregor are fans of the brand. GQ once called Obana Daisuke the “Oriental Hedi Slimane.” In 2014, Obana joined Japan’s Converse as the creative director of its apparel division.
Puma
German sports giant PUMA has appointed Erik Janshen as Vice President of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), succeeding Karthik Balagopalan, who temporarily held the position alongside his role as India Market General Manager last year.
In his new role, Erik will oversee the company’s DTC channels, including brand-owned stores, e-commerce, and other online marketplaces.
Erik Janshen has over a decade of experience in digital sales and DTC operations, with his most recent role being Senior Vice President of Digital Sales for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein under the American fashion retail group PVH.
Athleta
Athleta, the sports brand under American fashion retail company Gap Inc, has appointed Tania Flynn as Head of Design, reporting directly to the brand’s CEO, Chris Blakeslee.
Prior to joining Athleta, Tania Flynn was Vice President and Creative Director of Apparel Design at Nike, responsible for women’s, men’s, children’s apparel, and accessories. During her 19-year tenure at Nike, she contributed to global sports, footwear, and innovation departments and helped develop external partnerships.
Lindex Group
European retail group Lindex Group has appointed Riku Lyly as Interim Chief Operating Officer of its Stockmann brand division, effective August 15.
Riku Lyly will succeed Tove Westermarck, who will continue to provide support to ensure a smooth transition.
In his new role, Riku Lyly will leverage his extensive international experience in brand, product development, and commercial strategy implementation to further improve Stockmann’s business and profitability.
Riku Lyly has been working in the Stockmann division of the group since 2021, currently serving as Chief Product Supply and Experience Officer. Before joining Lindex, he was Marketing Director for adidas in the Nordic market and held a commercial leadership position at XXL Sports & Outdoor e-commerce organization.
Lindex Group comprises two divisions: Lindex and Stockmann. Lindex is positioned as a global fashion company aiming to empower and inspire women worldwide and is the leading lingerie and sustainable brand in the Nordic market. Stockmann is a high-end multi-brand omnichannel retailer in Finland and the Baltic region, positioned as a premium lifestyle marketplace.
Soulland
Danish clothing brand Soulland announced the departure of its founder and shareholder, Silas Adler, effective June 24.
Left: Silas Adler, Right: Jacob Kampp Berliner
The brand stated in a press release that both parties have reached an agreement, and Jacob Kampp Berliner, who joined the company in 2006, has acquired all the brand’s equity and will continue to oversee the company’s operations.
Silas Adler founded Soulland in 2002, and over the past 20 years, the brand has released seasonal collections and showcased them at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The brand has also collaborated multiple times with brands and well-known IPs such as Nike, Colette, Babar, Peanuts, Li-Ning, Hello Kitty, and Playboy.
| Source: FashionNetwork, Official Press Releases
| Image Source: Official Press Releases, Personal Social Media Accounts
| Editor: LeZhi
