Tommy Hilfiger Appoints Steve Chen as CEO of Tommy Hilfiger China
By Tommy Hilfiger Group, PRNEThursday, January 27, 2011
AMSTERDAM, January 28, 2011 - The Tommy Hilfiger Group announces the appointment of Mr.
Steve Chen as Chief Executive Officer of Tommy Hilfiger China, effective
immediately. This follows the Group's announcement in March 2010 that it will
assume direct control of the Tommy Hilfiger wholesale and retail distribution
in China from its licensee Dickson Concepts (International) Limited. The
Group's takeover of the business is currently scheduled to take place in the
second half of 2011.
Mr. Chen joins Tommy Hilfiger with almost 20 years of fashion,
brand management and retail experience in China. He was a member of the
founding management team for Esprit in China, serving for the past eight
years as Esprit's General Manager, based in Shanghai. In his new capacity,
Mr. Chen will report directly to Mr. Fred Gehring, Chief Executive Officer of
the Tommy Hilfiger Group.
"We are very pleased to welcome Steve to Tommy Hilfiger," said
Fred Gehring. "In anticipation of our takeover of the Chinese business in the
second half of this year, Steve's appointment is the first and most critical
step to ensure a smooth transition. China holds significant opportunities for
our brand, and Steve's very relevant experience and entrepreneurial approach
will be instrumental in establishing Tommy Hilfiger as a leading premium
lifestyle brand in this important market. Under his leadership, we are
confident that the classic American cool appeal of the Tommy Hilfiger
lifestyle can achieve its full business potential in China."
"I am delighted to join Tommy Hilfiger as CEO of Tommy
Hilfiger China," said Steve Chen. "The tremendous global appeal of this
iconic American brand has great potential here. I have been extremely
impressed by the strength of the Tommy Hilfiger organization, and believe
that the brand is very well positioned for future growth in the market. I
look forward to joining such a dynamic management team and leading the
expansion in China."
About the Tommy Hilfiger Group
With a premium lifestyle brand portfolio that includes Tommy
Hilfiger and Hilfiger Denim, the Tommy Hilfiger Group is one of the world's
most recognized designer apparel groups. Its focus is designing and marketing
high-quality menswear, womenswear, children's apparel and denim collections.
Through select licensees, the Group offers complementary lifestyle products
such as accessories, fragrances and home furnishings. Merchandise under the
Tommy Hilfiger brands is available to consumers worldwide through an
extensive network of Tommy Hilfiger retail stores, leading specialty and
department stores and other select retailers and retail channels. For
additional information about the Tommy Hilfiger Group, please visit
www.tommy.com.
About Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, one of the world's largest
apparel companies, owns and markets the iconic Calvin Klein and Tommy
Hilfiger brands worldwide. It is the world's largest shirt and neckwear
company and markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen,
Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, IZOD, ARROW, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co., and its
licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth
Cole Reaction, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Trump, JOE Joseph
Abboud, DKNY and Timberland. Visit www.pvh.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995: Forward-looking statements made in this press release are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such
forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties,
many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy, and some of which might not
be anticipated, including, without limitation, the following: (i)
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations
and intentions are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the
Company; (ii) in connection with the acquisition of Tommy Hilfiger B.V. and
certain affiliated companies (collectively, "Tommy Hilfiger"), the Company
borrowed significant amounts, may be considered to be highly leveraged, and
will have to use a significant portion of its cash flows to service such
indebtedness, as a result of which the Company might not have sufficient
funds to operate its businesses in the manner it intends or has operated in
the past; (iii) the Company's plans and results of operations will be
affected by the Company's ability to manage its growth and inventory; and
(iv) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company does not undertake any obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of the receipt of
new information, future events or otherwise.
For further information: Media Inquiries, Abdel El Hamri, Senior Director Marketing and Communications - Europe, Tel: +31-(0)20-589-5701, Abdel.Elhamri at tommy.com; Avery Baker, EVP Global Marketing and Communications,
Tel: +31-(0)20-589-9889, Avery.Baker at tommy.com; Investors, Michael Shaffer,
EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation,
Tel: +1-212-381-3523, michaelshaffer at pvh.com
Tags: Amsterdam, China, January 28, Netherlands, Tommy Hilfiger Group