Sam Edelman Apparel adds Leslie Singer as President

The new partnership between Sam Edelman and Kellwood marks the beginning of a significant venture into apparel for the award winning shoe designer, further solidifying Sam Edelman as a lifestyle brand. Sam Edelman is owned by Brown Shoe Company.

Singer joins Kellwood from NYDJ, where she lead Sales and Merchandising for Women’s Sportswear. Her responsibilities spanned all channels of distribution, including department stores, specialty stores and direct business outlets, such as Zappos and Amazon. Under her leadership, the company saw double-digit growth for more than three years.

Additionally, she has held significant executive positions at Tommy Hilfiger USA, where she was President of Women’s Sportswear and served as Executive Vice President of Tommy Jeans, and at Sean John, where she was President of its Junior Sportswear division.

Her previous experience includes tenure at Nautica, where she was Vice President of Sales and Merchandising for Women’s Sportswear and with Guess as Vice President of Sales. Leslie began her career in department stores and over the span of 15 years, she worked her way up through the buying organizations of Macy’s and Abraham and Strauss to become a Divisional Merchandise Manager for Children’s Wear at A&S and Dresses at Macy’s East.

“When we inked our partnership with Sam Edelman, Leslie was the first person that came to mind when considering who would lead this new division,” said Lynn Shanahan, Kellwood’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled that she has joined us. She is one of the best merchants in the market place and has unparalleled retail relationships.”

“I have great respect for Lynn Shanahan and the team of industry veterans that she has put together to articulate and execute the vision of the Sam Edelman brand,” said Sam Edelman, founder and Sam Edelman Division President, Brown Shoe Company. “Leslie Singer is a strong addition that will lead this seasoned team.”

“I am truly excited about leading this new venture,” Singer said. “This partnership allows me to work with Sam, a world-class designer, capitalize on my depth and knowledge of the retail industry and leverage it with Kellwood’s manufacturing strength.” Singer says that Edelman has identified a customer that he calls “The Sam Girl.”

“She is fashionable, smart and driven, works and plays hard, and wants clothing that is on trend,” added Singer, “While she is quality conscious, she chooses clothing that represents good value, is seasonal, and that can be worn interchangeably. Together, with Sam’s vision and creative direction, we have created a collection that will meet the needs and wants of The Sam Girl.”

The new line will debut in fall of 2014, and will be sold to better department stores and specialty stores as well as in Sam Edelman retail stores in Manhattan and Beverly Hills.

Kellwood company designs, manufactures, and markets a broad portfolio of fashion brands including Sam Edelman, XOXO, David Meister, My Michelle, Jolt, Democracy, Sangria, Jax, Sag Harbor and Briggs, NY, and is the parent company of Rebecca Taylor. Kellwood is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Kellwood Company