VF appoints new The North Face brand president, adds to board

VF Corporation announced  on Monday the appointment of Caroline Brown to the role of global brand president of The North Face, effective June 10.

With extensive experience as a senior leader and board director in the fashion and apparel sector having led global companies and teams operating across the US, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, EU and UK regions, Brown most recently served as managing director at Closed Loop Partners, a New York-based investment firm and innovation center focused on the circular economy, where she led the firm’s fashion practice.

She has previously served as chief executive officer of Donna Karan International (DKI) and DKNY, where she led a transformation of the company, elevating product design, modernizing brand identity, overseeing organizational structure realignments and supply chain consolidations, and led the company through the sale from LVMH to G-III Apparel Group.

Prior to DKI, Brown was president of Carolina Herrera, as well as serving as the US chief executive officer of Akris, a Swiss-based luxury fashion brand. Brown began her career at Giorgio Armani, where she spent over a decade in marketing and communications leadership roles.

“Caroline’s expertise in building and transforming global brands, as well as her extensive experience in the apparel and fashion industry, fit perfectly with the needs of The North Face brand at this time,” added Bracken Darrell, VF’s president and chief Executive Officer. “With Caroline’s intense focus on brand building, product design, consumer insight, and innovation, I am confident The North Face will expand on its enormous power as a leading global outdoor brand and be a driving force behind VF’s growth and value creation.”

VF also announced that Mindy Grossman and Kirk Tanner have been appointed independent directors on the VF board, effective May 30.

Grossman and Tanner will stand for re-election at the 2024 Annual Meeting of VF Shareholders. Benno Dorer has decided not to stand for re-election at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

“We are also excited to welcome Mindy and Kirk to the Board,” said Richard Carucci, chair of the VF board.

“Mindy and Kirk are proven leaders with extensive track records leading complex companies and supercharging the growth of global consumer brands through innovation, marketing and digital strategies. We look forward to benefiting from their insights as VF continues to improve execution and enhance innovation as part of its Reinvent strategy. These appointments represent further steps in VF’s refreshment process, and reflect our continued constructive collaboration with VF shareholder Engaged Capital. With these appointments, VF has added five new directors to its Board within the past two years, including directors with valuable apparel and footwear experience.”

Earlier this year, the adventure and outdoor gear brand launched its ‘North Face Renewed’ online platform in the UK.