The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB) today announced that it has named two senior executives with extensive merchandising and design expertise who will work closely together to realign Talbots product and elevate its brand image. The Company has appointed a Chief Creative Officer and Chief Merchandising Officer as part of its strategy to strengthen, reposition and reinvigorate the Talbots brand.
Michael Smaldone Named Chief Creative Officer, Talbots Brand
In a newly-established position, Michael Smaldone, 43, was appointed Chief Creative Officer of the Talbots brand, as part of the Company’s goal to rapidly migrate to a design driven brand. With more than 25 years of design expertise and an intimate understanding of the 35+ customer, Mr. Smaldone will be based in the Company’s Product Office in New York City, where he will build a complete Talbots brand design function. Mr. Smaldone will oversee the direction and delivery of the Talbots brand image to ensure that it embodies the essence of the brand in all aspects that reach the customer in a consistent manner. Mr. Smaldone was most recently Senior Vice President of Design at Ann Taylor. Previously, Mr. Smaldone served as Chief Design Officer of Anne Klein, and Creative Director of Elie Tahari.
Basha Cohen Named Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Talbots Brand
With more than 25 years of fashion and merchandising expertise and a strong background in specialty and multichannel retail, Basha Cohen, 47, joins Talbots as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of the Talbots brand. Ms. Cohen brings significant experience overseeing product development and merchandise management, which includes her former position as Executive Vice President of Design and Merchandising at the Kellwood Company, where she was responsible for conceiving and launching a new business division - Dockers Women’s. Ms. Cohen previously served as Senior Vice President of Women’s Product Development at J. Crew, as well as Senior Vice President of Design and Buying at Laura Ashley PLC. She succeeds Hal Bosworth, who retired in July 2007. Ms. Cohen will be based in Hingham, Massachusetts at the Company’s headquarters’ facility.
Both executives will report directly to Trudy F. Sullivan, Talbots president and Chief Executive Officer.
Commenting on the appointments, Ms. Sullivan said, “We are thrilled to welcome two strong and proven industry talents. Basha and Michael bring a merchandising and design expertise that can infuse a new energy into the Talbots brand and move our product and image forward in a way that will best resonate with our customer. This is an exciting time for Talbots, as the addition of these two key executives further strengthens our management team and represents a significant step in getting our Talbots brand back on track.”
The Talbots, Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer and cataloger of women’s, children’s and men’s apparel, shoes and accessories. The Company currently operates a total of 1,428 stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and the U.K., with 1,157 stores under the Talbots brand name and 271 stores under the J. Jill brand name. Both brands target the age 35 plus customer population. Talbots brand on-line shopping site is located at www.talbots.com and the J. Jill brand on-line shopping site is located at www.jjill.com.