The Former Beauty Exec Takes Over from Liz Fraser Amid Executive Reshuffling
Former beauty executive Eva Erdmann is set to take over the reins at Kate Spade, a division of Tapestry Inc., as the new chief executive officer and brand president, succeeding Liz Fraser. Fraser will be officially stepping down from her post next month and Erdmann is set to join in October.
This shift will mean that Erdmann will report directly to Joanne Crevoiserat, the CEO of Tapestry Inc. She will also be joining the company’s executive committee. Prior to this new role, Erdmann held the position of the global president of Urban Decay Cosmetics, under the umbrella of L’Oréal, since 2018.
During her tenure at Urban Decay, Erdmann was successful in leading the brand to global revenue growth and impressive profit gains. Her new role at Kate Spade will involve oversight of all business operations with a principal focus on fast-tracking innovation, consumer engagement and fostering sustainable global growth.
Crevoiserat expressed her delight at welcoming Erdmann to Kate Spade, saying, “She is a talented global brand-builder with a deep understanding of the rapidly evolving consumer landscape and a demonstrated ability to cultivate desire, cultural relevance and passionate communities for distinctive luxury brands. I am confident she is the right leader to unlock the significant runway for growth at the iconic Kate Spade brand.”
Crevoiserat also took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Fraser for her dedication to the brand, stating, “On behalf of the entire organization, we thank Liz for her passion and dedication to Kate Spade and wish her well in her next chapter. Under her leadership, we advanced our strategies refocusing the brand on its distinctive DNA, and creating the foundation for the future.”
In response, Erdmann said she is honoured to join Kate Spade, which she sees as a unique and purpose-driven band with a strong market position and expansive growth opportunities. “I look forward to collaborating with the team to advance the mission of this powerful brand, bringing joy and self-expression to consumers around the world and driving profitable growth for years to come.”
Before her stint at Urban Decay, Erdmann held various senior management roles within L’Oréal’s Luxury division, including general manager of Lancôme France and global marketing senior vice president of makeup and perfumes at Yves Saint Laurent Beaute. She also worked in marketing at Christian Dior Beauty, where she led international growth initiatives for Europe and the Asia Pacific region.
Fraser, who joined Kate Spade in March 2020, handled the challenges of store closures and hybrid work schedules during the pandemic. She is credited with the creation of a new retail design concept for Kate Spade’s freestanding stores, forming a valuable collaboration with Pantone for Kate Spade Green, and partnering with Thred Up.
Before Kate Spade, Fraser served as president of Lafayette 148, CEO of Anne Klein, and president of Marc by Marc Jacobs. She was unable to be reached for comment about her future plans. As per the latest reports, Tapestry declared that Kate Spade saw a sales drop of 5 percent in constant currencies to $280.7 million, for the quarter ending March 31.