Levi Strauss & Co. has appointed Skechers finance chief John Vandemore as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Nov. 1, as the denim group pushes its direct-to-consumer model toward a $10 billion revenue ambition.

Vandemore succeeds Harmit Singh, the company's EVP and chief financial and growth officer, who announced his retirement plans in April. Singh stays in role until Vandemore arrives, then serves as a special adviser through Nov. 30.

Vandemore leaves Skechers after nine years as CFO, where he ran the footwear company's global finance organization and oversaw operations. During his tenure, Skechers expanded to more than 180 countries and more than 5,000 stores, with revenue nearly tripling to more than $9 billion, according to Levi Strauss.

"John's deep financial, operational and consumer experience, combined with his proven ability to help global brands scale and grow profitably, makes him the ideal partner to help us realize our ambition of becoming a $10 billion company," Levi Strauss president and CEO Michelle Gass said.

Vandemore brings more than 25 years of finance leadership across consumer, retail and entertainment businesses.

Who else moved at brand level?

Derek Lam returns to Derek Lam 10 Crosby as creative director under new owner NYC Alliance, which acquired the contemporary label in May. His first collection under the new ownership is scheduled for fall 2027. NYC Alliance plans to scale the label through its global distribution network, omnichannel capabilities, broader product assortment and new sales channels.

"No one understands the brand's heritage and design philosophy better than its founder," said Wen Huang, NYC Alliance head of branding and marketing.

L2 Brands, the apparel and headwear company backed by Sentinel Capital Partners, named John Fryer CEO. Fryer most recently served as president of Unrivaled Teamwear — the business carved out of HanesBrands that runs Champion Teamwear, Gear for Sports and Knights Apparel. He will lead L2 Brands across commercial, product, supply chain and manufacturing operations as it expands in collegiate, resort and destination, golf and corporate markets. Fryer succeeds interim co-CEOs Paige Wingert and Evan Toporek, who return to the board.

"John's experience building and leading consumer businesses, combined with his focus on customers, brands and operational execution, stood out to us," Toporek said.

What changes at the compliance bodies?

The ZDHC Foundation promoted Stefan Seidel to chief impact officer, charging the former Puma sustainability executive with linking chemical management programs to measurable environmental outcomes. Seidel, who joined ZDHC in 2025 as senior director of climate and environmental impact after a decade leading Puma's corporate sustainability function, succeeds Scott Echols, an 11-year ZDHC veteran who helped build its impact strategy and Roadmap to Zero program.

"Stefan understands ZDHC from both sides of the table," CEO Frank Michel said. "He helped build the collaborative approach that brought the organization into being, and he knows what it takes to put that approach into practice."

Textile Exchange named Véronique Tjon senior director of assurance and traceability ahead of the Dec. 31 effective date of its Materials Matter program. Tjon brings more than 16 years of experience across certification, assurance and global textile supply chains, and will focus on the systems behind traceability and accountability in the nonprofit's materials programs. Textile Exchange targets a 45 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from fiber and raw-material production by 2030.

"This is an exciting time to join Textile Exchange as the organization evolves toward Materials Matter," Tjon said.

What should sourcing teams take from this?

Rethink Retail also named Chris Parsons vice president of audience, a new role spanning the platform's media, research, events and community operations. Parsons brings more than 25 years of retail and e-commerce experience, including the launch of Walmart.ca and senior omnichannel roles at Home Hardware.

For suppliers and sourcing teams, the moves to watch sit at the compliance bodies. Seidel's mandate at ZDHC and Tjon's appointment at Textile Exchange signal tighter linkage between chemical management, materials claims and verifiable outcomes — with Materials Matter taking effect Dec. 31, mills and trims suppliers holding Textile Exchange certifications should track the assurance changes now rather than at renewal.