Eva Erdmann to manage Kate Spade

Tapestry has chosen a beauty specialist to lead Kate Spade. Eva Erdmann, who spent almost fifteen years working for cosmetics giant L’Oréal, has been appointed president and CEO of the New York fashion brand, known for its bags and youthful style. She will take up her post in October, succeeding Liz Fraser, who has held the position since 2020 and will leave the company in September.

The young woman will report directly to Joanne Crevoiserat, the boss of the American group which also controls the Coach handbag brand and the Stuart Weitzman shoe label. Eva Erdmann will also join the company’s executive committee, according to a statement from the company, which, for the past year, has been in the process of acquiring its competitor, Capri Holdings, owner of Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo.

In her new role as CEO & Brand President, Eva Erdmann will “oversee all aspects of the business, with a focus on accelerating innovation to drive consumer connections and sustainable global growth,” Tapestry said, describing her as a “highly talented leader and brand builder” and highlighting her “proven track record of leading global consumer brands and teams.”

With a master’s degree in engineering from ENSGI and a marketing degree from HEC Paris, the Frenchwoman has a rich career in the beauty sector. She began her career in 2005 in the luxury division of L’Oréal. After a three-year interlude at Christian Dior Parfums (LVMH), in Hong Kong and then in international marketing, she returned to L’Oréal in 2013.

She worked there for ten years, holding various positions of responsibility. First at Yves Saint Laurent Beauté’s international marketing department as Global Marketing SVP of Make-up and Perfumes. In 2017, she was appointed CEO of Lancôme France, “where she reinvigorated the brand in the market,” and a year later she took over as global president of the make-up brand Urban Decay (L’Oréal) where, according to the press release, “she successfully led the transformation of the brand, generating strong sales and profit growth.”

Eva Erdmann “fully understands the rapidly changing consumer landscape and has a proven ability to cultivate desire, cultural relevance and passionate communities for distinctive luxury brands. I am convinced that she is the ideal leader to unlock the significant room for growth at the iconic Kate Spade label,” says CEO Joanne Crevoiserat, who thanks Liz Fraser for her work. “Under her leadership, we have taken our strategies forward, refocused the brand on its distinctive DNA and laid the foundations for the future,” she concludes.