The premium womenswear label Nadine Merabi has named Briony Garbett as its new chief executive officer, which represents a significant shift in leadership as the fashion brand marks its tenth anniversary and looks towards the next stage of its international expansion.
Garbett has joined Nadine Merabi from Karen Millen, where she was Managing Director, and she is taking over from Jacobo Hachuel, who resigned after directing the company for a year.
This appointment occurs at a time when the occasionwear brand is going through a period of major change. At an earlier stage this year, two seasoned members of the industry, Nick Beighton who was previously CEO of ASOS and Matches, and Hash Ladha who was once CEO of Jigsaw, had become strategic advisors for the company. They are now taking up formal roles on the company’s board, Nick Beighton acting as Non-Executive Chair and Hash Ladha as a Non-Executive Director.
Garbett has extensive experience in the fields of fashion, digital commerce, brand strategy, and executive leadership. Having previously been in senior positions at a number of well-known fashion companies such as Seraphine, NAAMA, Kurt Geiger, and Oasis, she developed expertise in brand development, customer engagement, and digital growth.
Nadine Merabi welcomed the appointment and called Garbett the right person to lead the company through its next phase.
When I first met Briony, I was sure that she was the ideal choice,» Merabi said. «She has exceptional leadership qualities, a great deal of experience, strong commercial sense and an energy which is entirely in line with our culture and our ambitions. She will help to guide the business through the next phase of its growth.»
She said that she was pleased to be joining a brand which has developed a loyal global fan base and has secured a clear standing in the premium occasionwear sector.
She described it as an extremely exciting chance to take part in a rapidly growing global brand which is actually gaining a strong following among women. “Merabi has created something really special,” she said, “having established a distinct brand with solid foundations, a highly engaged customer base, and considerable potential for profitable international growth through direct-to-consumer sales, wholesale distribution, and category expansion.”
The brand was founded by Nadine Merabi and has gained a reputation for its statement occasionwear, its embellished dresses, its tailored suits, and its luxury evening lines. In the last ten years it has expanded its customer base around the world and has at the same time strengthened its direct-to-consumer operation and its wholesale partnerships.
Since Briony Garbett is now in charge of the company and there is an experienced board to support its strategy, Nadine Merabi is aiming for further global growth, a wider range of products, and a greater international presence as it reaches its second decade in the fashion industry.
