Forever 21 names Winnie Park as CEO

U.S. fashion retailer Forever 21 announced on Wednesday the appointment of Winnie Park to the role of chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Park joins Forever 21 from Paper Source, where she served as CEO for the past six years. In her role at Paper Source she was tasked with transforming the brand from a brick-and-mortar retailer to a lifestyle brand with a strong digital platform spanning social, digital content, online subscriptions, and affiliate partnerships. She also led the sale of the brand to an affiliate of Barnes & Noble.

In her new role, Park will report into Marc Miller, CEO of SPARC, Forever 21's parent company -- a 50-50 partnership between Simon Property Group and Authentic Brands Group.

[Park] is an inspirational leader and team builder who brings deep omni-channel experience and a track record of successfully growing businesses with particular strengths in strategy, merchandising, marketing and branding," said Marc Miller, CEO of SPARC.

"As CEO, Winnie will add fresh perspective and approaches in connecting with the Forever 21 customer which will help drive Forever 21 from its current $2 billion sales level to new heights of success as a leading brand in SPARC's fashion and lifestyle brand portfolio."

Prior to Paper Source, Park has held high profile executive roles across e-commerce, global marketing, and fashion merchandising including a nine-year tenure at the Hong Kong-based international luxury retailer DFS, a division of LVMH.

"As a longtime shopper and admirer of the brand, I am honored to join Forever 21 at such a pivotal time of reinvention and reinvigoration," Park said. "I am looking forward to partnering with this exceptional leadership team to continue the transformation of this brand with a focus on the Forever 21 community including its people, purpose and business priorities across digital and traditional retail channels."

Park replaces former Forever 21 CEO, Daniel Kulle, who announced his resignation from the role in October last year.

Forever 21 names Winnie Park as CEO

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