Pangaia names former Inditex exec Gómez as CEO with brand ‘primed for strategic development worldwide’

Pangaia has named former Inditex director Daniel Gómez as its new chief executive officer to lead the global outdoor/fashion brand’s “strategic development worldwide”.

It said his appointment “marks the start of a new chapter” under Aurora Vision Group (AVG), part of Abu Dhabi-based investment holding company Royal Group, that took a controlling stake in the brand in January.

Drawing on Gómez’s “extensive experience in global fashion, luxury hospitality, and business transformation [he] will guide Pangaia into its next phase of growth and drive its mission to redefine fashion through innovation, education, responsibility, and cultural impact,” AVG said.

With a career spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, he brings a “multicultural perspective and a proven record of driving growth, shaping brands, and leading organisations at the intersection of creativity, innovation, and business performance”, it added. 

It said leadership roles at Spanish fashion/lifestyle Inditex Group and Dubai-based global luxury group Chalhoub “have equipped him with deep expertise in luxury and fashion and he has begun collaborating with the leadership team to shape a bold new vision for Pangaia and strengthen its foundation for long-term success”.

Gómez added: “I was inspired by Pangaia’s bold vision to demonstrate that fashion can move beyond consumption, becoming a platform for innovation, responsibility, and cultural impact. Together with our talented and passionate team, I look forward to building a strong and responsible future, advancing the conversation on sustainability while creating a brand that stands out not only for its products, but also for the values it represents.”

Melissa Moncada, founder and CEO of AVG, added: “[Our] vision is to empower transformative brands that shape a better future through innovation and sustainability. As the new controlling stakeholder and leader of Pangaia… we are confident that under his leadership, [the brand] will continue to inspire the industry by setting new standards in responsibility, creativity, and impact, values that are deeply aligned with Aurora’s mission.”

Launched in 2019, Pangaia has rapidly grown into a globally-recognised designer performancewear-to-streetwear brand worn by celebs such as Bella Hadid, Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, Tracee Ellis Ross, Justin Bieber, and Sarah Jessica Parker.