Stella McCartney, one of Britain’s most recognised designer labels and a pioneer in sustainable luxury, has announced Tom Mendenhall as its new chief executive officer (CEO). He takes over from Amandine Ohayon, who is stepping down after almost two years in the role. Ohayon, however, will continue to advise the company during the leadership transition.
The change comes at an important moment for the fashion house. Earlier this year, Stella McCartney bought back the minority stake previously owned by LVMH, the French luxury giant. The move marked a new independent chapter for the brand, which has often been praised for combining high fashion with strong ethical values.
Mendenhall is a highly experienced executive in the fashion world. He was most recently president of the Polo and Double RL brands at Ralph Lauren. Before that, he worked closely with designer Tom Ford for over 18 years, serving as chief operating officer at Tom Ford and as worldwide merchandising director at Gucci. He also held senior roles at Abercrombie & Fitch.
This wealth of experience gives Mendenhall a deep understanding of both creative and commercial sides of luxury fashion. Stella McCartney praised him for his “extensive experience in all aspects of luxury fashion,” adding that it will be “invaluable in driving the business forward.”
McCartney also highlighted that Mendenhall shares her vision for the brand’s future and supports the ethical values that are central to its identity. Since its founding in 2001, the label has been committed to sustainable practices, avoiding leather, fur, and animal-derived materials.
“Tom shares my vision for the brand and the ethical values that are part of our DNA,” McCartney said.
For his part, Mendenhall described Stella McCartney as “a powerful brand, led by a powerful and compassionate woman.” He said he was honored to join forces with McCartney and her global team for the company’s next phase of growth.
The company also expressed gratitude to outgoing CEO Amandine Ohayon, praising her leadership during the separation from LVMH and her role in guiding the company through a period of transition.
McCartney personally thanked Ohayon for her “great work and the successes we shared together,” wishing her well in future projects.
Ohayon herself said the timing was right for her to begin a new chapter, but stressed that she would remain a supporter of Stella McCartney’s mission to redefine sustainable luxury.
Although still relatively small compared to global luxury giants, Stella McCartney is considered one of Britain’s most influential designer labels. The brand currently operates 36 directly owned stores and 11 franchise locations worldwide.
With Mendenhall as CEO, the fashion house is expected to focus on sustainable growth, expanding its reach while staying true to its mission of protecting animals and the environment. His close partnership with McCartney herself will likely shape the company’s next chapter, combining creative vision with strategic leadership.
As the fashion world becomes more conscious of sustainability, the arrival of Tom Mendenhall signals Stella McCartney’s ambition to remain at the forefront of ethical luxury, while also strengthening its position in the global market.
