Marc O'Polo rehires Susanne Schwenger

Susanne Schwenger is going back to her roots at Marc O'Polo. The veteran fashion executive will take up her new position as Chief Product Officer (CPO) on July 1st and will be responsible for design, production, marketing and licensing.

Schwenger had served as creative director for womenswear at Marc O'Polo from 2002 to 2015. More recently, she made industry headlines when she stepped down from the brand and retailer S. Oliver after slightly more than two years as its managing director product and marketing.

Back at Marc O’Polo, Schwenger will be replacing Bernd Keller, who is leaving the company on 31 May in order to work on independent projects in sustainability for the premium and luxury fashion industry.

"Susanne Schwenger has already shown in the past that she understands very well the DNA of the brand and our clients and I am very confident that she will make a valuable contribution to our the excellence of our products", said Werner Böck, Chairman of Marc O’Polo’s board of directors in a press release. Böck also thanked Bernd Keller for his work and dedication.

"Susanne Schwenger’s reputation with us and in the market is excellent and I am extremely pleased that she has decided to come back," said CEO Dieter Holzer.

Through the rehire, the upscale casual label hopes to bolster its strategy and strengthen its premium market positioning.

Marc O'Polo employs some 1,900 staff. Sales dropped from 464 million euros last year to 460 million euros at the end of May 2017. The company operates 108 own stores, 203 franchise stores and is also sold by more than 2,000 other retailers.

Marc O'Polo rehires Susanne Schwenger

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