New Team of Management at Russell Newman
New York–based Russell Newman is beefing up its management team with new executives. The privately held company houses the intimate apparel, sleepwear and loungewear brands Los Angeles–based Carol Malony and San Francisco–based KN Karen Neuburger; Cypress; Cypress Bed; Bath and Spa; St. Eve; St. Eve Kids; and Laura Ashley Sleepwear.
Both of the new hires have extensive backgrounds in the intimate-apparel industry at top brands in both the mass and specialty markets that will help “support Russell Newman’s growth trajectory,” said Eric Hamburg, chief executive officer of Russell Newman, in a statement.
Victoria Vandagriff, formerly of Bendon—which produces Elle Macpherson Intimates, Fayreform, Bendon Sport and Stella McCartney—has been named the new executive vice president of sales. Vandagriff has also worked as the senior director of sales for the Lauren division of Polo Ralph Lauren. Her duties will include strategic planning and management of branded and private-label business. “I’m looking forward to working with the team at RN to further develop our brands and product innovation to their fullest potential. It’s an honor to be a part of the exciting opportunities at Russell Newman and to help shape the path of this growing company,” Vandagriff said.
Paula MacDougall, formerly the vice president of merchandising for the Warnaco Group, will be chief merchandising officer and will oversee design and merchandising for branded and private-label business. MacDougall spent 17 years at Federated Department Stores Inc. in intimate-apparel product development and strategy.
“We have a talented and extensive design/graphics artist team, which is a true point of differentiation for us in the marketplace. I am very excited to be associated with RN’s stable of strong brand names and believe we have a great opportunity to further streamline our product-development process to better serve the retailer and, ultimately, our consumer,” MacDougall said.—Rhea Cortado
