Judith Leiber has promoted its design consultant Jana Matheson to creative director as part of the company’s brand expansion.
Matheson will now oversee all aspects of design, including the look of the company’s famous handbags and its marketing and branding. Matheson says she hopes to give Judith Leiber a more youthful, modern feel while staying true to its impressive heritage.
We can apparently look forward to some more contemporary accents, including opaque “chalk” crystals and semi-precious stones. The label also plans to introduce more versatile accessories including large python purses, which should serve girls during the day and night.
Matheson will work underneath Lela Katsune, who took the newly created role of executive vice president last year. These key business appointments complete the two-year expansion driven by brand president Mary Gleason, who joined Judith Leiber in 2009.
It sounds like these changes will help Judith Leiber capture a larger audience. Its evening purses are always expensive, but if we can get some use from them during the day we might be more willing to part with our cash. And we can only hope that the use of more diverse, and more affordable, gemstones will make some of the Judith Leiber purses more affordable too. Are you excited about the changes afoot?
