J.Crew Group appoints Libby Wadle as CEO

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Nov 25, 2020

J.Crew Group announced on Tuesday the appointment of Madewell executive Libby Wadle as its chief executive officer, replacing Jan Singer who has left the company after less than a year to "pursue other endeavors."

As CEO, Wadle will oversee J.Crew and J.Crew Factory in addition to her current leadership responsibilities at Madewell. 

"Libby's connectivity to the J.Crew and Madewell brands, proven ability to build community both inside and outside the organization, and track record of delivering excellent operating and financial performance make her the ideal person to lead J.Crew Group," said Kevin Ulrich, chairman of J.Crew's board of directors. 

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Wadle has spent the last 16 years at J.Crew, where she has climbed through the ranks holding positions such as executive vice president of the J.Crew brand to J.Crew brand president. She joined the company in 2004 as vice president, J.Crew Factory. 

Most recently, she served as president and then CEO of Madewell, where the brand expanded rapidly under her leadership. 

"To be successful in today's retail environment, brands must have a strong sense of purpose, deep connection with their customers, and an organizational structure that rewards creativity, agility and innovation," said Wadle.

"Moving forward as a company under unified leadership, we will harness the power of our collective platforms and talented teams to ensure our brands can continue to inspire and grow.”

The New York-based apparel and accessories retailer emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September. It was just one of many Chapter 11 filings from big-name retailers pushed to the brink by Covid-19-related store closures earlier this year, which had a particularly negative impact on companies already struggling with slowing sales or overwhelming debt.

The company currently operates 161 J.Crew retail stores, 144 Madewell stores, and 168 J.Crew Factory stores in nearly every state in the United States, and also maintains J.Crew, Madewell, and J.Crew Factory websites.