Krafka Exits Red Tiger Trading Co.
Fast-growing Red Tiger Trading Co. Ltd. has named Maurice “Corky” Newman as president, replacing Joe Krafka, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.
Red Tiger Trading Co. manufactures contemporary sportswear and better casualwear under the Capital Tailors, Ever, Ever Woman and Mijo labels. Lucky Brand Dungarees founders Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman started Vernon, Calif.–based Red Tiger almost two years ago. Montesano and Perlman were not available for comment.
Krafka joined Red Tiger Trading Co. in November 2002 after serving as chief operating officer of Earl Jean Inc. from 1998 to 2001 and president from October 2001 to October 2002. During Krafka’s tenure, Earl Jean saw its annual denim sales skyrocket from $4 million to nearly $40 million.
Industry sources close to Krafka said he is planning to shift his attention to T, a novelty T-shirt line he launched while he was at Red Tiger Trading Co. The line, designed by his wife, Jackie Krafka, will be headquartered in California’s Orange County. Currently, the line is carried by specialty retail boutiques, including Louis Boston, Fred Segal Flair and Stacey Todd.
—Claudia Figueroa
