Fashion
Kendra Scott names new CEO
Published
January 7, 2026
U.S. lifestyle brand Kendra Scott on Tuesday announced the appointment of Chris Blakeslee as its new chief executive officer, effective January 12.
A sporting apparel veteran, Blakeslee was formerly the CEO of Gap Inc.-owned Athleta, a position he served in for over two years. Before that, he was president of sister activewear brand Alo Yoga, where he was credited for scaling the U.S. brand from under $50 million to a $1B+ direct-to-consumer brand in less than five years.
“Chris understands our customer-first mission, and I’m excited to see him lead with purpose—driving strategic growth and deepening brand affinity,” said Kendra Scott, chief visionary officer and executive chairwoman.
“His forward-looking vision strengthens our holistic brand world, where product, environment, community and culture work seamlessly together. Chris honors my vision while adding a dynamic perspective, making him the ideal steward for our next phase of growth,” added the brand founder.
Kendra Scott continues to strengthen its position as a lifestyle brand, with expansions into eyewear, fragrance, and home since its inception 23 years ago. In 2023, the company launched Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, alongside the brand’s recent expansion into apparel, hats, and footwear.
Under Blakeslee’s leadership, the brand said it “remains committed to a bullish retail strategy and continues to expand into new categories,” according to a press release.
“Kendra has built an extraordinary brand grounded in a deeply customer-first, experience-driven approach,” said Chris Blakeslee, chief executive officer.
“I’m energized by the opportunity to bring the world of Kendra Scott to life in richer, more immersive ways across product, environment, community, and culture—building on the strong foundation already in place as we shape the brand’s next era.”
In January last year, Kendra Scott entered the eyewear category, following a new licensing partnership with American eyewear giant, Marchon Eyewear.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
By
Bloomberg
Published
January 7, 2026
The founder of sneaker reseller Zadeh Kicks was sentenced to almost six years in prison for a fraud conspiracy that led to the infamous collapse of the online platform and $80 million in losses for customers and financial institutions.
Michael Malekzadeh, 42, was sentenced Tuesday in Eugene, Oregon, to 70 months behind bars and ordered to forfeit more than $15 million in assets, federal prosecutors said in a statement. Last year, Malekzadeh pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud.
The sentencing signaled the end of a case that sent shockwaves through the sneaker reselling market, which reached record highs during the 2020 pandemic. Malekzadeh rode this boom to improbable heights, offering sought-after shoes at competitive prices from his warehouse in Oregon, even before manufacturers released them.
A lawyer for Malekzadeh didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the US Attorney’s Office in Oregon, Malekzadeh “advertised, sold, and collected payments from customers for preorders knowing he could not satisfy all orders placed.” All in all, he owed customers more than $65 million in unfulfilled orders and defrauded financial institutions out of $15 million they’d loaned him, court records show.
Malekzadeh used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, prosecutors said. Agents seized luxury watches, jewelry and hundreds of handbags during the investigation, court documents show.
As part of their plea agreements, Malekzadeh and his partner, Bethany Mockerman, the company’s chief financial officer, agreed to pay restitution in full to their victims. The judge set a restitution hearing for March 31.
The government said it raised $7.5 million from selling Malekzadeh’s residence in Eugene, his watches and luxury cars manufactured by Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche.
In a separate case, Zadeh Kicks, which Malekzadeh founded in 2013, and all of its sneakers were taken over by a court-appointed receiver, who’s been in charge of liquidating its assets.
The case is US v. Malekzadeh, 22-cr-262, US District Court, District of Oregon (Eugene).
Published
January 7, 2026
Following major expansion in Italy last year, Primark’s European expansion programme continues apace as the value fashion/lifestyle retailer intends to now grow operations in Romania.
Four new stores have so far been confirmed to open in Sibiu and Bacău, joining planned openings in Iași and Craiova, doubling its presence to eight in the market and creating over 450 new jobs.
The announcement comes as the company celebrates its anniversary in the market this week, marking three years since the opening of its first Romanian store in ParkLake Shopping Centre, Bucharest.
The new stores will be located in Sibiu Shopping Centre and Arena Mall Bacău, joining previously announced locations in Electroputere Mall, Craiova and Palas Mall Iași, adding a total of 10,870 sq m of retail space across the country.
They join the four “successful” stores in the market: two in Bucharest, one in Timișoara and one in Cluj-Napoca.
The stores in new regions will introduce Primark’s latest fashion pieces, as well as everyday essentials across clothing, beauty, lifestyle and home categories. The stores will also stock the growing Primark Cares range.
Maciej Podwojski, Head of CEE, Primark said: “Since opening our first store just three years ago, we have grown a strong business with a loyal and ever-expanding customer base. As a retailer with a strong focus on physical stores, we know that much of this success is thanks to our exceptional retail teams.”
Last year, Primark announcing a further €40 million (£34 million) investment with five new Italian stores planned for Rome, Biella, Perugia and two in Naples, following a €50 million investment in the country in 2023.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Manufacturing and processing led the expansion, rising by 10.5 per cent and contributing 8.4 percentage points to overall growth.
Vietnam’s industrial production rose by 9.2 per cent last year, accelerating from an 8.2-per cent YoY rise in 2024 and marking the strongest performance since 2019.
Manufacturing and processing led the expansion, rising by 10.5 per cent and contributing 8.4 percentage points to overall growth.
December saw a 10.1-per cent YoY growth in industrial output, driven by a 11.9-per cent rise in manufacturing.
Power generation and distribution increased by 6.7 per cent, adding 0.6 percentage points.
In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, industrial output grew by 9.9 per cent year on year, with manufacturing up by 10.8 per cent.
December alone saw a 10.1-per cent YoY growth in industrial output, driven by a 11.9-per cent rise in manufacturing.
Natural gas output fell by 5.6 per cent YoY last year. All 34 provinces and cities recorded industrial growth during the year.
Industrial employment increased by 2.4 per cent YoY as of December 1, with companies adding 0.8 per cent more workers compared to November.
Manufacturing consumption index rose by 9.9 per cent for the entire year, easing from 11.4-per cent growth in 2024.
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