Gabriela Hearst names Cohen its new president

Gabriela Hearst has made a major leadership team announcement with Michele Cohen becoming its president, effective 15 January. It’s a new role that has been “defined to reflect the brand’s continued commercial momentum and to support its next phase of global growth”.

It means Cohen will be leading the brand’s global commercial strategy, overseeing wholesale, retail, and e-commerce. She’s been tasked with expanding the business across markets, channels, and categories “while preserving the craftsmanship, responsibility, and long-term vision that define Gabriela Hearst”.

This is an internal promotion with Cohen having joined the business in 2015 as global head of sales and having “played an instrumental role in the brand’s growth and evolution over the past decade”.

The company cited her “deep expertise across global markets and hands-on leadership approach,” as well as the fact that she’s worked closely with founder Gabriela Hearst to “help build the business while preserving its commitment to craftsmanship, values, and long-term thinking”.

Hearst, who earlier this decade was also creative chief at Chloé before leaving to focus on her own label, said that of “all the announcements in my career this is the one I am the most proud of. Michele understands our values and culture of true quality, integrity, authenticity because she helped build it. It is extremely rewarding having worked along side her for the past decade to see her grow into her leadership. I can’t be more excited for the future of our house”.