(NEW YORK) Mario’s moving on! After three years as president at Vera Wang, Mario Grauso will be stepping down. The decision comes as a result of Grauso wanting to pursue personal projects, but he and Wang reportedly remain on good terms. Grauso isn’t completely saying goodbye to Wang’s empire, though: He’ll continue to lend his expertise in a consulting role, working on the brand’s ad campaigns and retail expansion.
During his stint at Vera Wang, Grauso was instrumental in expanding Wang’s retail reach in Asia, opening stores in Shanghai and Hong Kong and laying the ground work for plans to open a boutique another boutique in Asia in 2014. Other shopping havens, like Wang’s famous bridal boutiques, opened in Japan’s Ginza nabe, London, Moscow, Seoul and Sydney. He was also responsible for growing the company’s accessory lines and contemporary Lavender label, the latter of which just signed a deal with The Levy Group to do an affordable dress line.
Grauso’s long track record in the biz started when he first interned at Ralph Lauren, (much) later moving on to serve as president of Carolina Herrera, as well as overseeing Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne fashion houses under the Puig Group. Also on Grauso’s resume? President of Céline. We’re sure he’ll do just fine post-Wang, toute seul!
PAIGE REDDINGER
