Kendra Scott has appointed Chris Blakeslee as chief executive, marking a significant shift in leadership for the brand.
After former CEO Tom Nolan departed last summer, founder Kendra Scott took on the executive role temporarily. Blakeslee will now team up with Scott, who continues as chief visionary officer and majority owner, to propel the brand beyond its renowned jewelry line. Recently, the company has ventured into eyewear and cowboy boots.
Blakeslee comes from a robust background, having served as president of Athleta and previously at Alo. His experience in community-centric brands is poised to benefit Kendra Scott as the company aims to broaden its retail presence.
“Throughout my career, brands that scaled significantly were those that engaged customers as participants. Fostering community and creating experiences have always been crucial to my leadership, and I see the same potential here,” shared Blakeslee. He emphasized that expanding the Western Yellow Rose label and enhancing the fine jewelry collection remain top priorities.
Kendra Scott, a staple among Southern sorority girls, made a splash in the mainstream fashion scene early in the decade through the #BamaRush phenomenon on TikTok. Its charming bracelets and necklaces continue to trend in videos every fall. The brand boasts annual sales exceeding $500 million and has enjoyed 19 consecutive quarters of revenue growth as of last July.
Blakeslee is set to step into his new position on January 12.
