Bernd Beetz Appoints Geoffroy van Raemdonck Chief Executive Officer of St. John Knits

IRVINE, California, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernd Beetz, Chairman of St. John Knits, announced today that Geoffroy van Raemdonck has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company.  Mr. van Raemdonck succeeds Glenn McMahon, who served as CEO since 2007.

"Geoffroy has an unparalleled understanding of global wholesale and retail that will be integral as we move into the next phase of the company's history," said Bernd Beetz, Chairman of St. John Knits. "He is an excellent leader to drive the executive team and to continue to strengthen and grow the business worldwide."

A seasoned executive with almost 20 years of experience in retail, Mr. van Raemdonck most recently served as President – South Europe for Louis Vuitton, where he led company operations in 22 countries which generated sales of over $1B. He held several senior level positions during his years at the company. He also previously held positions at Limited Brands and The Boston Consulting Group.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to join an industry force like Bernd Beetz and to further propel this iconic American brand into a phenomenal international business," said Mr. van Raemdonck. "I look forward to working with the Board and executive team to build upon the strong and successful foundation that they have created."

St. John Knits retained Herbert Mines Associates in the search for the new CEO.

About St. John Knits
St. John, one of the premier names in American fashion, was founded in 1962. St. John has evolved from a family run operation to the global luxury brand known today. The company, headquartered in Southern California, now employs over 2,500 people and is a vertical operation with offices worldwide. Its collection is sold by top specialty store retailers in 26 countries and 25 company-owned retail boutiques. For more information on St. John, visit the company's website at www.discoverstjohn.com