Please join us for our mentor series with Desiree Thomas - CEO, ba&sh North America.
Desiree Thomas has established herself as a cultivator of emerging designer brands, having spent the majority of her 20+ year career working with some of the most innovative names in fashion. She brings advanced expertise in building world class merchandising, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer programs to her North American role at ba&sh, collaborating with her counterparts in Europe and Asia. Equally skilled in working with designers as she is with building the teams to bring those visions to life, Desiree is at her best when collaborating with and guiding diverse groups of passionate, dedicated individuals.
As CEO of North America, Desiree is charged with shepherding the growth and development of the brand in the US, Canada and Mexico, building on its established cachet in the accessible luxury market. She adds considerable experience to the C-suite of ba&sh.
Before joining ba&sh, Desiree was brand president for 3.1 Phillip Lim, where she led global sales, marketing and other brand initiatives for the company, resulting in double-digit growth during her tenure. She was responsible for product development strategies, operational management, communications programs, wholesale, merchandising, marketing, sustainability initiatives, e-commerce and retail operations on 5 continents and more than 10 countries.
Previously, she was the EVP of Sales for 10Eleven, a well-established bi-coastal firm in the US that launches women’s lifestyle brands within the emerging designer space. She spearheaded sales, distribution and merchandising and operations strategies for several brands including A.L.C., Pam & Gela, Saloni, and Tanya Taylor. Under her leadership, annual turnover increased three-fold from a team of 25 employees.
"I am invigorated by our commitment to effortless and undeniably Parisian style, our strong brand values and our sustainable mission,” Desiree said. "Our industry is at an inflection point. In the coming months and years many opportunities will present themselves, and my team and I are eager to explore the road that lies ahead."
Earlier in her career, Desiree held senior leadership and brand management roles at BCBGMaxAzria and Nicole Miller. She also held a seat on the Board of Directors for both the New York Academy of Sciences Change Fashion Challenge with Environmental Impact and Indego Africa.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Fashion Merchandising and Business from Drexel University and lives in New York City with her family.
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