Myer announces key appointments
Department store Myer has added a host of new recruits to strengthen its executive apparel team.
The appointments - across the key portfolios of menswear, womenswear, footwear and accessories - follow the departure of several high profile staff from the brand's fashion merchandising and buying department earlier this year.
In a statement announcing the news, Myer director of apparel Judy Coomber said the store had received strong interest for the four positions and had a chosen a mix of internal and external appointments.
The first of these sees Kate Dear heading up the womenswear portfolio. Formerly an apparel buying manager at womenswear chain Sussan, Dear first entered the fashion arena through roles at a host of apparel businesses including Jeans West and Sportsgirl. Prior to accepting the Myer role, Dear spent the past two years running her own design business.
Joining Dear on the apparel management team will be Simon Winter who has accepted the role of menswear business manager. Previously the managing director of Mitch Dowd, Winter spent the first five years of his career at Myer in both the stores and buying areas before accepting a general manager role at the Pacific Dunlop group.
Rounding out the fashion team will be Lynda Lewis, who will be the brand's new accessories business manager. Myer said Lewis, who was previously stationed in its luxury cosmetics and fragrances team, was representative of its ability to provide its staff with both "challenging and rewarding opportunities for their career growth in the future".
The fourth and final appointment saw Deana Montalto named business manager of footwear. Montalto was previously a planning manager at international retailer Gap.
Coomber said the new team, which came from a range of retail backgrounds, reinforced the company's commitment to continue to represent the total fashion market.
"In our stores we provide high-end, aspirational fashion brands, yet we also offer our customers well designed, fashionable and quality products across all price ranges. Our fashion range is targeted to all our Myer customers, providing inspiration to them in every category we represent."