G-III Apparel Group Named New Division President
Emily George has taken the role of president for North America direct-to-consumer operations.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Retail
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G-III Apparel Group has appointed Emily George as its president of direct-to-consumer for North America, effective October 5, 2026. George, a retail veteran with nearly two decades of experience at Marc Jacobs and a recent tenure at Balmain, will report to G-III leaders Morris Goldfarb and Eric Marechalle.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to bolster G-III's direct-to-consumer retail and digital strategy as the company integrates its significant investment in the Marc Jacobs brand. G-III is balancing these growth efforts against the immediate financial dilution expected from the brand transition over the next year.
G-III Apparel Group expects company-wide annual sales to reach $2.7 billion, though the transition of brands like Marc Jacobs resulted in $460 million in lost sales. The Marc Jacobs business currently operates more than 100 retail locations.
The players
Emily George
She is the newly appointed president of direct-to-consumer, North America, for G-III Apparel Group.
Morris Goldfarb
He is a senior leader at G-III Apparel Group to whom the new president reports.
Eric Marechalle
He serves as a G-III Apparel Group executive responsible for overseeing the new division president.
Marc Jacobs
This fashion brand is jointly owned by G-III Apparel Group and WHP Global following a $925 million acquisition.
John Wattiker
He joined the Marc Jacobs brand as chief marketing officer in September 2026.
The details
George previously served as a key executive at Balmain and spent nearly 20 years at Marc Jacobs. G-III and WHP Global maintain a 50/50 joint venture for the Marc Jacobs brand, with G-III managing the wholesale, retail, and e-commerce operations in the U.S. and Europe.
Timeline
Emily George began working at Balmain in January 2022.
G-III released its second-quarter results in September 2026.
Emily George officially assumed her new position on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership appointment reflects a broader trend of retail conglomerates hiring seasoned veterans to manage high-stakes brand integration projects. G-III is competing to scale its direct-to-consumer footprint in a tightening fashion market where legacy brand acquisition has become a primary growth driver.
Shoppers may experience changes in the retail and e-commerce experience as the new leadership focuses on digital strategy across the brand portfolio. Customers who frequent the company's 100+ stores can expect evolving service models as the company integrates its acquired fashion assets.
The takeaway
Retailers frequently pivot leadership following multi-million dollar acquisitions to align operations with long-term revenue targets. Investors and shoppers should watch for updates in store experiences and digital service enhancements as these transition periods unfold.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Retail section.
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