Marcus Wainwright to Step Down As Chief Brand Officer at Rag & Bone

Marcus Wainwright, the co-founder and chief brand officer of Rag & Bone, will step down from his executive position at the end of July, as first reported by WWD. He'll remain a shareholder and member of the board of directors.

The news was delivered to Rag & Bone staff by Wainwright via a letter that noted his decision to depart was "complicated…in a million ways," per WWD. "I love you guys, I love working with you every day, I love making stuff and coming up with ideas for things that I hope are worth making and that mean something to the people that wear them. But the time has come for me to turn the page. After over 30,000 designs, hundreds of shoots, endless discussions on pocket shapes and whether to use riri zips, I will have spent over 7,500 days thinking about clothes. For now, that's enough and I'll be saying farewell at the end of this month," he wrote.

Wainwright follows in the footsteps of his co-founder David Neville, who left his co-chief executive officer role seven years ago. Wainwright served as the brand's sole CEO for two years, before Stephanie Strack took over in 2018.

Jennie McCormick (current chief merchandising and design officer) will split creative duties with Kyle Sweeney (senior vice president of men's design and merchandising). The rest of the management team will continue to operate as it has been.

In a statement shared with Fashionista, Wainwright said: "I arrived in New York in 2001 with nothing but a backpack and no idea what to do with my life. Rag & Bone began 21 years ago and after 84 seasons, 168 collections, a completely wild ride and some of the greatest experiences imaginable, I've earned a bit of a break. I am incredibly proud of this brand; all it stands for and everything it has become. I am also beyond grateful to our amazing team and every single person who has contributed so much along the way. I leave in place a passionate and supremely talented group of people, who I know will continue building the company that will forever be a massive part of my life."

Andrew Rosen, chairmain of the board of Rag & Bone, said: "Under Marcus' leadership, Rag & Bone stood the test of time, and his talent and dedication over the past two decades enabled the brand to leave an indelible imprint on the American fashion scene. Marcus' legacy will be felt in those who will carry on the culture he created, his vision and the Rag & Bone aesthetic."

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