Egeck Named President of True Religion
Michael Egeck, the former president of VF’s Contemporary Brand Coalition and chief executive for VF’s 7 For All Mankind brand, will join Vernon, Calif.–based True Religion Apparel as president on June 4. Michael Buckley, who served as True Religion’s president since 2006, has left the company to pursue other interests, according to a release from the company.
As president of True Religion, Egeck will be tasked with continuing True Religion’s expansion. “True Religion is developing into a global lifestyle brand with multiple growth platforms, including retail stores, wholesale distribution, licensing and international business through subsidiaries, joint ventures and franchises,” said Jeff Lubell, True Religion’s chairman and chief executive, in a statement. “Mike Egeck has experience and proven success growing a number of premium, global brands over his career, and he will certainly elevate our ability to expand our businesses.”
Egeck resigned from VF and 7 For All Mankind in June. At the time Egeck did not give a reason for his departure, but an executive at 7 For All Mankind said he wanted to “spend more time with his family.”
After Egeck joined 7 For All Mankind in 2006, VF Corp. acquired the premium-denim brand in August 2007, paying $775 million for the company.
Egeck, who had served as president of VF’s The North Face division from 2000 to 2004 and as president of VF’s Outdoor Coalition from 2004 to 2006, soon was named president of VF’s Contemporary Brands Coalition, which includes the John Varvatos, Ella Moss and Splendid brands. In October, Susan Kellogg was named president of VF’s Contemporary Brands coalition.
True Religion hired Buckley in 2006 from Ben Sherman USA, where he has served as chief executive officer. Prior to Ben Sherman, he served as U.S. vice president for Molvena, Italy–based Diesel Jeans.
Under Buckley’s four-year tenure, True Religion grew from a wholesale-driven denim business to a primarily retail-driven business. Growth also came in the form of licenses for multiple sportswear categories. In 2005, the company saw $103 million in sales and reached $311 million in 2009.
Company sources said the decision to hire Egeck came because he had wide experience in the global business arena, which is in sync with True Religion’s plans to grow its retail fleet overseas. About 50 percent of True Religion’s $311 million in revenues last year came from its 70 stores.—Erin Barajas
