Department store David Jones has unveiled its new merchandise team, following the departure of its former general manager of womenswear David Bush.
The appointments, made by David Jones group executive – merchandise Donna Player, have been confirmed ahead of the company's spring/summer 2012 fashion launch in Sydney next Tuesday,
According to Player, the key internal appointments across David Jones’ signature fashion portfolios include:
Sophie Clark, general manager womenswear – who has worked across the David Jones buying group for 12 years and, prior to her recent appointment, was the general manager of footwear & accessories.
Damian Burke, general manager footwear & accessories – who has 15 years’ experience at David Jones in the Australian and International designer fashion portfolio.
Kate Healy, buyer women’s international and designer – who has moved across from another role within David Jones, where she was the buyer for international footwear and accessories.
In addition, Deborah Foreman, who has spear-headed David Jones’ menswear business for five years, will now take on the additional responsibility for the childrenswear business in an expamnded role as general manager menswear & childrenswear .
Commenting on the appointments Player said the new team will assist David Ji\ones in its developments going forward.
“A strength of David Jones is its extraordinary pool of talented, passionate and experienced buyers, who understand and care deeply about our customers, the company and the brands we work alongsidem,” she said.
“With the recent appointments of Sophie, Damian and Kate to their new roles and the expansion of responsibility in Deborah’s portfolio, we are very pleased to be able to draw on their significant expertise and energy to deliver the best possible offering of brands and shopping experience to our customers.”
As previously reported on ragtrader.com.au, the appointments follow the recent resignation of former David Jones executive David Bush who left the company in May this year after 25 years of service.
Commenting on Bush's departure from David Jones, Player acknowledged his contribution to the company.
“David Bush made an incredible contribution to David Jones and the Australian fashion industry as a whole. We have an enormous amount of respect for David and wish him all the very best for his future.”
The David Jones spring/summer 2012 fashion launch on August 14 also marks a new chapter for the company, with a raft of new Australian designer signings to debut on the David Jones runway for the first time.
These will include: Gary Bigeni, Roopa Pemmaraju and local swimwear label, We Are Handsome.
David Jones will also celebrate the milestones of its exclusive designer label Ginger & Smart, which will celebrate its 10-year anniversary and Alex Perry, who celebrates 20 years in fashion this season.