Stefan Larsson
Chief executive of PVH Corp. since February 2021
Stefan Larsson is the chief executive of PVH Corp., the owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, a role he has held since 1 February 2021. A Swedish born executive, he previously led Ralph Lauren, ran Old Navy for Gap Inc. and spent nearly 15 years at H&M.
| Role | Chief executive of PVH Corp. |
|---|---|
| Since | 1 February 2021 |
| Brands | Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger |
| Previous roles | CEO of Ralph Lauren; global president of Old Navy; H&M |
| Strategy | PVH+ Plan |
Who is Stefan Larsson?
Stefan Larsson is the chief executive and a board member of PVH Corp., one of the world's largest apparel companies, whose brands include Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. He holds Swedish and American citizenship and is known for brand transformation and for his experience across fast fashion, mass market and premium brands.
Career
Larsson studied business administration at the Hanken School of Economics in Finland and at Jönköping International Business School in Sweden. He joined H&M in 1998 and spent nearly 15 years there, rising to head of global sales. PVH states that during this period H&M grew from 3 billion to 17 billion US dollars in revenue and expanded from 12 to 44 countries.
In 2012 he became global president of Old Navy at Gap Inc., where PVH credits him with 12 consecutive quarters of profitable growth. In 2015 he was named chief executive of Ralph Lauren, succeeding the founder in the role. He left in 2017 after the company and Ralph Lauren cited differing views on the creative and consumer facing parts of the business.
Larsson joined PVH as president in June 2019, leading its regional and brand businesses through the Covid 19 pandemic, and became chief executive on 1 February 2021, succeeding Manny Chirico.
- 1998 to 2012: H&M, rising to head of global sales
- 2012 to 2015: global president of Old Navy
- 2015 to 2017: chief executive of Ralph Lauren
- Since February 2021: chief executive of PVH
Influence on the fashion business
As chief executive, Larsson launched the PVH+ Plan, which the company describes as its multi year, brand building growth plan. Its aim is to establish Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger as leading lifestyle brands and to place PVH among the best performing brand groups. On taking office he said his focus was on "connecting them closer to where the consumer is going than any time before."
Why it matters
Larsson's career covers almost every segment of the apparel market, from fast fashion to American premium lifestyle brands. At PVH he is responsible for two of the most widely recognised fashion names in the world, and his strategy of concentrating on fewer, stronger brands is closely followed as a model for large multi brand apparel companies.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the CEO of PVH?
Stefan Larsson has been chief executive of PVH Corp. since 1 February 2021. He joined the company as president in June 2019.
What did Stefan Larsson do before PVH?
He spent nearly 15 years at H&M, rising to head of global sales, then led Old Navy at Gap Inc. from 2012. From 2015 to 2017 he was chief executive of Ralph Lauren.