Gap taps industry experts to grow beauty and accessories business
The company aims to build on its recent transformational momentum to become a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture and generate sustainable long-term value.
USA – Gap Inc. has made key leadership appointments and engaged industry veterans to support its strategic expansion into the beauty and accessories markets.
Deb Redmond has been named General Manager of Beauty, bringing over 20 years of experience from Nordstrom, where she held senior leadership roles, including SVP Division Merchandise Manager for Beauty.
Known for her customer-first strategies and pioneering initiatives, such as Prestige Beauty at Nordstrom Rack and the evolution of the NYC Beauty floor, Redmond is tasked with advancing Gap’s beauty strategy, product development, customer experience, and go-to-market execution.
Michele Parsons has been appointed General Manager of Accessories.
She is a transformational leader with deep expertise in product vision, merchandising, and P&L management, gained from her roles at Kate Spade, Coach, J.Crew, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Complementing these appointments, Gap Inc. has engaged John Demsey, former Executive Group President of Estée Lauder, as Executive Director of Beauty.
Demsey is renowned for scaling global beauty brands, such as Tom Ford Beauty and MAC Cosmetics, into cultural powerhouses, with a focus on innovation, customer engagement, and social impact.
Reed Krakoff, a three-time CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year recognised for his transformative work with Coach and Tiffany & Co., has been appointed as Executive Director of Accessories.
Krakoff also serves as Creative Chairman of John Hardy and is a Strategic Advisor for L Catterton.
All four executives report to or advise the Chief Business and Strategy Officer, Eric Chan.
Their combined expertise is expected to accelerate Gap Inc.’s presence in the USD 100 billion U.S. beauty and personal care market and accessories segment by driving innovation, enhancing customer connections, and establishing these new categories as meaningful growth drivers for the company.
This leadership ensemble underlines Gap Inc.’s commitment to becoming a high-performing house of iconic American brands expanding beyond apparel into beauty and accessories.
Complementing beauty, the accessories business will undergo deliberate growth based on the success of existing handbags, jewellery, and leather goods offerings.
Accessories are positioned as a natural complement to apparel, aligning with customers’ lifestyles and shopping behaviours, which is expected to deepen consumer engagement and contribute to the company’s broader growth strategy.
This move follows GAP’s recent announcement of a strategic expansion into the personal care sector, with a phased rollout of skincare, haircare, makeup, and nail polish products.
This marks a significant shift from its core apparel business.
This initiative will begin this fall with a “test-and-learn” launch across 150 Old Navy stores, where select locations will feature dedicated shop-in-shop spaces staffed by Beauty Associates.
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