J.Crew Taps Madewell’s Head Designer to Turn Around Womenswear

J.Crew’s major downsizing today was just confirmed by WWD, with the elimination of 175 jobs from the brand’s corporate headquarters. Among the outgoing employees is head of J.Crew women’s design Tom Mora, who will be replaced by Madewell head of design Somsack Sikhounmuong.

J.Crew’s women’s line has been faltering with blame placed on ill-fitting crewnecks and cardigans, while Madewell’s sales have been way up. Madewell’s new head of design will be Joyce Lee, a veteran of the brand’s design team. Sikhounmuong will continue to report to Jenna Lyons.

“We are making meaningful and strategic changes across our organization to better position us for future growth. While many of these decisions were difficult, they are necessary,” J. Crew CEO Millard Drexler said. “With Somsack in his new role, we will continue to focus on making critical improvements to our J. Crew women’s assortment including fit, design aesthetic and styling. We know what needs to be done and while many of these initiatives take time, we have a committed team in place to make it happen.”

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