Kendra Scott Names Chris Blakeslee as CEO

Kendra Scott named Chris Blakeslee as chief executive, the company announced on Tuesday.

After the departure of the accessories brand’s former CEO Tom Nolan last summer, founder Kendra Scott has held the chief executive role on an interim basis. In the position, Blakeslee will work alongside Scott, who will retain her role as chief visionary officer and majority shareholder, to grow the business beyond the jewellery that it’s best known for. This past autumn, the brand launched eyewear and cowboy boots.

Blakeslee, who most recently served as president of Athleta, and previously held the same role at Alo, said that his experience at community-oriented brands will be an asset at Kendra Scott, too, particularly as the brand looks to expand its retail footprint.

“Throughout my career, the brands that have scaled most meaningfully are the ones that turn customers into participants ... community and experience have been central to the brands I’ve led, and they’re equally powerful here,” said Blakeslee. Expanding its western Yellow Rose label and the fine jewellery assortment, he added is also a priority.

Kendra Scott, long a favourite of Southern sorority girls, crossed into fashion’s mainstream consciousness at the start of the decade with #BamaRush craze on TikTok — its bracelets, necklaces and jewellery still make frequent appearances in videos each fall. The business does over $500 million in annual sales, and as of last July, saw 19 straight quarters of positive revenue growth.

Blakeslee will begin in his new role on Jan. 12.

Learn more:

Inside Kendra Scott’s Next Chapter

The Austin, Texas-based brand is making its biggest push beyond jewellery yet with another #RushTok favourite: cowboy boots.