Ascena Plus Fashion President & CEO Linda Heasley steps down

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Jan 24, 2017

Ascena Plus Fashion CEO Linda Heasley this week stepped down from her role following a weak holiday performance from the segment, according to the US media.

 
Ascena Retail Group President and CEO David Jaffe said he was “disappointed” by the overall holiday performance, which resulted in an adjusted full year outlook. Jaffe said on January 18 in an investor conference that Heasley has stepped down, but he did not elaborate further. The New York Post broke the news that alludes to Heasley’s departure being a result of the poor segment performance.
 
Heasley was promoted to President and CEO of Ascena’s Plus Fashion segment in October after having served as Lane Bryant President and CEO. She initially joined the company in 2013 from the Limited where she worked for 6 years and served as Chief Executive.

With Heasley at the helm, Lane Bryant redefined its plus size fashion label image with its #ImNoAngel campaign and by partnering with designers Lela Rose, Sophie Theallet, Isabel Toledo and Christian Siriano. In 2016, the brand announced a collaboration with Prabal Gurung, launched 6th & Lane, a trend-driven collection and launched its first-ever lingerie collection for Cacique with Lela Rose.
 
Ascena Retail Group, the parent company of Lane Bryant, posted negative holiday comparable sales for its Premium Fashion, Value Fashion and Plus Fashion segments.