Sycamore Partners Announces Organizational Restructuring Of The Nine West Footwear Group

Peggy Eskenasi to Advise Sycamore on Brand Development at Portfolio Companies

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Sep 05, 2014, 03:00 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sycamore Partners today announced that the Nine West Footwear Group, an operating division of Nine West Holdings, has been reorganized into four separate businesses, each with its own leadership team. The newly organized businesses are: Nine West (which includes the Nine West, Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini and Circa Joan & David brands, and the Handbags division), Easy Spirit, NW Jewelry Group and Anne Klein.

Sycamore also announced today that Peggy Eskenasi, previously Senior Executive Vice President for Product Development at Kohl's Corp., has joined Sycamore to serve as Executive Chairman of Easy Spirit, NW Jewelry Group and Anne Klein. She will also advise Sycamore on brand development across its growing portfolio of retail and consumer investments.

"We are pleased to welcome Peggy and look forward to working closely with her as we continue to focus on acquiring and nurturing leading brands in the consumer and retail sector," said Stefan Kaluzny, a Managing Director at Sycamore Partners. "Peggy is an accomplished leader in the retail industry with a proven track record of success. With her considerable experience and expertise in marketing and branding, we are confident she will play a meaningful role in helping our portfolio companies reach their full potential."

He continued, "We believe the reorganization of the Nine West Footwear Group will allow each of its individual businesses to better serve their customers and focus on achieving greater efficiency and long-term profitability. We are excited to have a talented group of executives leading these businesses."

Kathy Nedorostek has chosen to step down as Chief Executive Officer of the Nine West Footwear Group.

Mr. Kaluzny added: "The Nine West Group has excelled under Kathy's leadership and we thank her for her significant contributions and wish her the very best in her future endeavors."

Andrew Hede will serve as Interim CEO of Nine West. Eric Dauwalter, President of Easy Spirit, and Fran Lukas, President of NW Jewelry, will continue to lead their respective businesses in the new structure. Ms. Eskenasi will lead the recruitment and development of a management team to lead the newly formed Anne Klein business unit.

About Sycamore Partners

Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm based in New York specializing in consumer and retail investments. The firm has more than $3.5 billion in capital under management. The firm's strategy is to partner with management teams to improve the operating profitability and strategic value of their businesses. The firm's investment portfolio currently includes Aeropostale, Coldwater Creek, Hot Topic, Jones New York, the Kasper Group, Kurt Geiger, MGF Sourcing, Nine West Holdings, Pathlight Capital, Stuart Weitzman and Talbots.

Contact for Sycamore Partners:
Michael Freitag
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449

SOURCE Sycamore Partners