Gap names new head of design

American retailer Gap has named former chief product officer at C. Wonder Wendi Goldman as its new executive vice president of product design and development, eliminating the creative director role left vacant by the departure of Rebekka Bay.

In the newly created position, Goldman will lead the San Francisco-based company's global design team, while working closely with merchandising, product operations, and customer experience. In a role that sounds more corporate than the design position held by Bay.

"Wendi is a commercially-driven, customer focused leader with deep fashion and apparel experience," said Jeff Kirwan, Gap's new global president, in a press release.

Goldman spent over a decade at Limited Brands, where she was credited with creating Victoria's Secret's Pink line, and most recently she was chief product officer at the now defunct C. Wonder and Burch Creative Capital. Her new role will see her overseeing the entire Gap’s women’s and men’s businesses, as well as GapKids, babyGap, GapFit, GapBody and Maternity.

Her appointment comes as Gap announced that it is continuing to be the group’s long-term global focus, with plans to open another 40 new stores in greater China during the 2015 fiscal year.

Art Peck, who came on board as chief executive officer last month, stated: “Looking ahead at 2015, we will continue executing our global growth strategy, bringing new digital capabilities to life and making the shifts necessary to consistently deliver the brand-right.”