Andrew Rosen is passing the baton at Rag & Bone.
When the company was acquired in February 2024 by Guess and brand management firm WHP Global, the apparel industry veteran stepped up to executive chairman, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business. Rosen had held an ownership stake in Rag & Bone for many years and served as chairman of the board.
Now it’s the right time for him to take a step back, he believes.
“When Guess and WHP made the acquisition of Rag & Bone, I committed to lead the company for a period of time,” Rosen told WWD. “I’ve been involved with the business for over 20 years and have a great affinity for the brand and a commitment to the organization and the people who have been there for so long and built it. I led the transition from what it was to what it has become, but I always contemplated that this was not going to be a permanent responsibility, running the day-to-day business. Now that the company has evolved and grown a lot, I thought it was the appropriate time to bring in the next generation of leadership.”
That next generation is Valentina Lucaj, who will serve in the newly created position of brand president. Lucaj, who served most recently as president of the Americas for Fendi, will oversee marketing, merchandising and commercial strategy. She will also be tasked with growing the wholesale and direct-to-consumer businesses, international markets and category expansion including shoes, handbags and accessories.
“At this point in our evolution, bringing in a dedicated brand leader is essential to capitalizing on the momentum we’ve built to unlock our next chapter of growth,” said Rosen. “Valentina has sharp commercial instincts, a genuine passion for product, and a collaborative leadership style — all of which are the perfect blend of experience to guide and accelerate our growth and expansion initiatives.”
Lucaj spent nearly a decade at Louis Vuitton, serving most recently as vice president of merchandising, based in Paris, and previously as regional vice president for Northeast America. Earlier in her career she held senior positions at Saint Laurent, Prada and Club Monaco.
Rosen said while Lucaj’s luxury background was appealing to him, the appointment boiled down to more than just her résumé. “She’s had incredible experience with probably the best company in the world, LVMH. She was involved in merchandising, she was involved in the direct-to-consumer physical retail part. Most recently, she was the brand North American president of Fendi. So she had a great background, but I think what I liked the most was her spirit, her energy, her curiosity. You know, at the end of the day, the business is a lot about people and putting the right people, the right chemistry together.”
Lucaj will report to Rosen in her new role.
“I have always been an admirer of the brand and its very authentic New York spirit,” she said. “And when I had the opportunity to meet Andrew and be considered to lead the next chapter of the brand, for me, it was a very easy decision. I’m very happy to be here.”
Rosen is confident that the company has a bright future. “Our business has grown just under 30 percent last year and just over 30 percent this year,” he said. “And I think we can continue to develop the strong platform both in direct-to-consumer and wholesale.”
The company operates 54 stores in the U.S. and 13 overseas.
International is also seen as a growth opportunity. Currently, about 12 percent of Rag & Bone’s business is outside the U.S., a figure he believes can be much larger. “Certainly between our direct-to-consumer business internationally and the ability to have franchise and licensed partners offers a host of opportunity,” he said.
Ditto for the U.S.
“I see a big opportunity in wholesale,” he said. “Finally, for the first time in many years, the supply and demand equation of wholesale has really leveled out. I see a very exciting future at all of our wholesale partners — and I wasn’t feeling that way a year ago.”
Regarding categories, he said the company produces its own footwear and small leather goods and licenses out bags, watches and eyewear. “We’re developing a real lifestyle expression of the brand,” he said.
“The real key for us is to continue to establish an identity and an aesthetic and a culture for Rag & Bone,” he said. “And that’s what we’re doing through all of the touch points of the brand, whether it’s our own stores, our website or the different marketing activities that we participate in. It’s really unifying the brand under one look and feel. And that’s something the team has been working a lot and I know is important to Valentina.”
For himself, Rosen said he will continue to work with the brand’s current owners on strategy going forward and will remain involved. “I never really step aside,” he said with a smile.
