American label John Varvatos, launched in 1999 and currently owned by the VF Corporation, has just recruited Robert J. Wichser as its new president and CEO. Mr. Wichser previously worked for private equity firm Yucaipa Companies, which owns UK jeweller Garrard, the Zac Posen brand, retailer Scoop, as well as a stake in luxury jeweller Stephen Webster.

John Varvatos S/S 2011 collection

Beginning his new role at John Varvatos in September, Robert J. Wichser has also served as the CEO of Puff Daddy’s clothing line Sean John, where he worked from 2007 to 2009. Prior to this, Mr. Wichser was the CEO at men’s upscale clothing brand Joseph Abboud. In the same way as John Varvatos, both of these American brands are mostly popular in their home market and only in parts of Europe.

As for the John Varvatos brand, which has around ten standalone boutiques in North America, its distribution throughout the European continent relies on points of sale in upscale multi-brand stores in Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland and Austria. In France, the brand had its first pop-up store inside the Galeries Lafayette Haussman in December 2010. The brand’s eponymous founder, who is also its president and chief creative officer, is also welcoming another addition to the team, with Don Witkowski joining in as head of merchandising.