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Gilt Groupe, Inc. today announced that Susan Lyne has been named Chief Executive Officer of the luxury web-based retailer.
Ms. Lyne succeeds Alexis Maybank, Gilt Groupe’s founding Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Maybank has been named Founder and Chief Strategy Officer; and Alexandra Wilson remains Founder and Chief Merchandise Officer. The new executive appointments are effective immediately.
A strong executive with broad managerial experience, Ms. Lyne brings more than 20 years of media, merchandising and business leadership to the Company.
» ReadFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gilt Groupe Names Susan Lyne Chief Executive Officer
Gilt.com positioned for broader growth in luxury brand business;
Company Founders Remain in Key Management Positions
NEW YORK, NY – September 15, 2008 – Gilt Groupe, Inc. today announced that Susan Lyne has been named Chief Executive Officer of the luxury web-based retailer.
Ms. Lyne succeeds Alexis Maybank, Gilt Groupe’s founding Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Maybank has been named Founder and Chief Strategy Officer; and Alexandra Wilson remains Founder and Chief Merchandise Officer. The new executive appointments are effective immediately.
A strong executive with broad managerial experience, Ms. Lyne brings more than 20 years of media, merchandising and business leadership to the Company.
"Susan’s vision for the convergence of retail and the Internet will further our success in redefining how fashion and design goods are marketed and distributed. She is the right leader for Gilt Groupe at this period in its expansion,” said Ms. Maybank. “Her extensive media and entertainment background and her history of successful brand building will be invaluable. Her strong management experience and commitment to the Company’s core values will help shape Gilt Groupe’s growth and the industry’s as it advances. She is also one of the most respected women in business today, and we know our brand partners will look forward to working with her.”
Gilt Groupe provides access, by invitation only, to men’s, women’s and children’s high end fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. From Valentino to Diane Von Furstenberg and John Varvatos, Gilt Groupe offers more than ten sales weekly on its website, www.gilt.com. With more than 500 sales annually, the Company hosts hundreds of thousands of customers in a rapidly growing membership who make it a daily habit to shop on www.gilt.com for products as varied as Kwiat fine diamond jewelry to Dolce & Gabbana gowns and men’s Lambertson Truex briefcases. Its sales can effectively move upwards of five dresses a second to members from Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska.
“As a passionate customer of Gilt Groupe, I understand why members describe it as an addiction,” Ms. Lyne said. “I have been enormously impressed by the Gilt team, the viral growth of its business, its brand partnerships, and the leadership position that Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilson have captured since the company’s launch last November. I am thrilled by the opportunity to work alongside them to drive Gilt Groupe to its full potential.”
From November 2004 to July 2008, Susan Lyne served as President and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO), where she led the company’s recovery and return to profitability. Under her leadership, MSLO significantly grew its media business with the relaunch of marthastewart.com and new publishing ventures. She also diversified its merchandising portfolio with a number of new partnerships, including the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s. With the acquisition of Chef Emeril Lagasse’s company, MSLO became a recognized leader in lifestyle content and products.
Prior to joining MSLO, Ms. Lyne spent eight years from 1996 to 2004 as an executive at The Walt Disney Company, principally at ABC where, as President of Entertainment, she oversaw the development of such hits as Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. During her tenure, ABC’s movies and miniseries dominated the ratings and earned numerous awards, including the Peabody, Golden Globe, Humanitas and DGA awards, as well as multiple Emmys. Earlier in her career, she created Premiere Magazine, where she served as Editor-in-Chief and Publication Director for eight years. Ms. Lyne has received numerous awards and honors and was recently named by The Wall Street Journal as one of its “50 Women to Watch.”
About Gilt Groupe, Inc.
Gilt Groupe is the leading provider of exclusive merchandise at sample sale prices with a rapidly growing membership of consumers nationwide. A daily habit for hundreds of thousands of consumers, Gilt Groupe’s innovations have earned the Company numerous industry citations, from Forbes and InStyle Magazine to ABC-TV’s The View.
Gilt Groupe was founded in November of 2007 by Alexis Maybank, an early employee of eBay, and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, formerly of Bulgari and Louis Vuitton. Investors include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners and Kevin Ryan, former CEO, DoubleClick, who now serves as Gilt Groupe’s Chairman. More information about Gilt Groupe membership can be obtained by emailing the company at membership@gilt.com or by visiting www.gilt.com.
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Gilt Groupe Contact:
Christian Leone
christian@gilt.com
Gilt Groupe announced today their involvement with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Costello Tagliapietra, at this season’s Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.
» ReadNew York (August 28, 2008) – Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), which provides access by invitation only to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at prices up to 70% off retail, announced today their involvement with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Costello Tagliapietra, at this season’s Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. Gilt Groupe has come together with Costello Tagliapietra to support them as they take the stage to exhibit their Spring/Summer 2009 collections. This show will be shortly followed by the designer’s sale on Gilt.com.
Gilt.com has been able to offer the finest designer fashions and accessories by way of its partnership with the CFDA since January 31 2008. By joining the CFDA’s Business Services Network, Gilt Groupe offers CFDA members a quick discrete online distribution channel for excess inventory, overstock and vendor returns. By providing a web-based business model which partners with designers to increase sales by reaching their nationwide customer base, Gilt.com redefines sample sales from what we once knew.
“Fashion shows are critical in extending a designers reach with buyers and editors yet the cost to produce can be prohibitive. Gilt Group’s extension in supporting the CFDA Business Service Network with sponsorship of designers’ shows is an additional resource that compliments its on line sales for our members and demonstrates Gilt Group’s true efforts to strengthen our industry.” Steven Kolb, Executive Director of the CFDA
The Costello Tagliapietra show will imitate their innate ability to fuse their elegant and timeless aesthetics into a concise ready-to-wear collection, beautiful both inside and out, resulting in expertly tailored clothing perfect for the modern woman. This brand continues to be one to watch and, like Gilt Groupe, Costello is very excited about this partnership:
“We are really excited about partnering with Gilt Group this season. Gilt has created an environment online where our customers from all over the nation can enjoy the same privileges as those who have easy access to the sample sales in New York. The selection of styles that they curate for their sales are a great opportunity to broaden the consumer base for a young company offering new, never-worn pieces at a sample sale price.” Costello TagliapietraAbout Gilt Groupe
Headquartered in New York, and founded in November of 2007 by Alexis Maybank, formerly of EBay and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, formerly of Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, Gilt Groupe has forged a partnership with the CFDA and recently sponsored Mercedes Benz Los Angles Fashion Week. Investors include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners as well as Kevin Ryan, former CEO, DoubleClick, and Dwight Merriman, former CTO and Founder, DoubleClick.
Gilt Groupe announced today their screening of Paramount Vantage Films’ THE DUCHESS, starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper and Hayley Atwell. The private screening will take place at Chicago’s AMC River East 21 Theatre with a cocktail reception directly to follow at The James Hotel, featuring Moet Hennessy wines and spirits.
» ReadNew York (September 2008) – Gilt Groupe, Inc. (www.gilt.com), which provides access by invitation only to men’s, women’s and children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at sample sale prices, announced today their screening of Paramount Vantage Films’ THE DUCHESS, starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper and Hayley Atwell. The private screening will take place at Chicago’s AMC River East 21 Theatre with a cocktail reception directly to follow at The James Hotel, featuring Moët Hennessy wines and spirits.
Hosted by Chicago’s “it girls” Susu Block, Lisa Cotton, Kate Fitzgerald, Stephanie Harris and Jennifer Kasten, the evening’s events will take the windy city by storm and signify the beginning of a partnership between Gilt Groupe, Inc. and Paramount Vantage Films.
THE DUCHESS is the story of an extraordinary woman who rose to fame by staying true to her passions in a world of protocol, gossip and social rules – and paid the price. Long before the concept existed, the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer, played by Academy Award nominee, Keira Knightley, was the original “It Girl”. While her beauty and charisma made her name, her extravagant tastes and appetite for gambling and love made her infamous. Married to the older, distant Duke of Devonshire, played by Academy Award winner Ralph Fiennes, Georgiana became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator and darling of the common people.
About Paramount Vantage
Paramount Vantage is the specialty film division of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing, Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Worldwide Television Distribution.
About Gilt Groupe
Headquartered in New York, and founded in November of 2007 by Alexis Maybank, formerly of EBay and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, formerly of Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, Gilt Groupe has forged a partnership with the CFDA and recently sponsored Mercedes Benz Los Angles Fashion Week. Investors include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners as well as Kevin Ryan, former CEO, DoubleClick, and Dwight Merriman, former CTO and Founder, DoubleClick.
Gilt Groupe Launches Children’s Category with Lucy Sykes Inaugural Sale
Top Children’s Brands Added Following Successful Debut of Women’s and Men’s Sales
» ReadNew York (June 25, 2008) – Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), which provides access by invitation only to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at prices up to 70% off retail, announced today the launch of its new Children’s category; the first Children’s sale is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th, commencing at 12:00 PM EST. The launch of the Children’s category complements the 100+ men’s and women’s fashion and luxury brands that have been featured on www.gilt.com.
Gilt Groupe will be offering a variety of styles and sizes for the tiniest tots to little ladies and gents. In true Gilt Groupe style, their buyers have hand-selected pieces from the hottest names in children’s fashion to bring an impressive lineup of labels. The Children’s category will launch with Lucy Sykes, renowned in the fashion world as a leading fashion director turned designer.
Instantly named the “must-have” for babies of chic moms, celebrity clients (such as Shiloh Jolie- Pitt), and fashion editors after launching her first line in 2005, Lucy’s European sensibility is channeled into a wearable, yet aspirational offering of chic pieces “with a twist”. This sale will combine Lucy’s Riviera, English Garden and Traveller collections…Think St Tropez, English tea parties and patterns inspired by the Rajasthan region of India, something for everyone- from babies to 12yr olds. Additional children’s sales include Kico Kids, Hickey Freeman Boys and Cacharel. All Gilt Groupe sales are 36 hours and feature hand-selected styles from a single designer. Upcoming sales will be announced through Gilt Groupe’s website as well as a weekly e-newsletter.
“Our brand is constantly growing and evolving into different arenas. Children’s clothing is the strategic next step for Gilt Groupe. It is an exciting market which we are thrilled to be getting involved with,” said Alexis Maybank, CEO and Founder. “With the fast paced life that the modern day parent leads, Gilt Groupe’s goal is to provide a tool that enables them to access the world of luxury and fashion online for themselves and their families.”
Gilt.com is able to offer the finest designer fashions and accessories by way of its partnership with the CFDA, providing its members a discrete and efficient distribution channel for excess inventory, overstock, and vendor returns.
About Gilt Groupe
Headquartered in New York, and founded in November of 2007 by Alexis Maybank, formerly of EBay and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, formerly of Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, Gilt Groupe has forged a partnership with the CFDA and recently sponsored Mercedes Benz Los Angles Fashion Week. Investors include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners as well as Kevin Ryan, former CEO, DoubleClick, and Dwight Merriman, former CTO and Founder, DoubleClick.
Gilt Groupe Launches Men’s Category with John Varvatos Inaugural Sale
Top Men’s Brands Added Following Successful Debut of Women’s Sales
» ReadNew York (April 15, 2008) – Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), which provides access by invitation only to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at prices up to 70% off retail, announced today the launch of its new Men’s category; the first mens’s sale is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16th, commencing at 12:00 PM EST. All Gilt Groupe sales are 36 hours and feature hand-selected items from one designer. The launch of the Men’s category complements the 70 + fashion and luxury brands that have been featured on www.gilt.com
Gilt Groupe launches their Men’s category with John Varvatos, a designer who’s universally appealing sportswear has earned him top honors including the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s 2005 Men’s Designer of the Year and Designer of the Year. Additional men’s sales include Hickey, Dolce & Gabbana, Lambertson Truex, Bobby Jones, John Hardy and Earnest Sewn. All upcoming sales are announced through the Gilt Groupe’s website as well as a weekly e-newsletter.
“Gilt Groupe is the first website to offer men the most desirable designer clothing and accessories at 50-70% off of retail, “ said John Auerbach, Director, Men’s division. “Gilt Groupe affords members the finest brands, ultimate convenience, ease of service, and great value.”
Gilt.com is able to offer the finest designer fashions and accessories by way of its partnership with the CFDA, providing its members a discrete, efficient distribution channel for excess inventory, overstock, and vendor returns.
About Gilt Groupe
Headquartered in New York, Gilt Groupe provides access by invitation only to men’s and women’s coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each 36-hour sale features hand selected items from just one designer. Past sales include Valentino, Diane von Furstenberg and Dolce & Gabbana. As preview of every upcoming sale, Gilt Groupe’s production team creates a short reel showcasing must-have pieces and the featured designers or brand.
Founded in November of 2007 by Alexis Maybank, formerly of EBay and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, formerly of Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, Gilt Groupe has forged a partnership with the CFDA and recently sponsored Mercedes Benz Los Angles Fashion Week. Investors include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners as well as Kevin Ryan, former CEO, DoubleClick, and Dwight Merriman, former CTO and Founder, DoubleClick.
Today Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), which brings the invitation only “sample sale”
online, and to its national membership, announced a partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a
Business Affiliate. By joining the CFDA’s Business Services Network Gilt Groupe offers CFDA members a quick
discrete online distribution channel for excess inventory, overstock and vendor returns.
Gilt Groupe Partners with the Council of Fashion Designers of America
Online Sample Sale Website the newest member of CFDA Business Services Network
NEW YORK (January 31 2008) – Today Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), which brings the invitation only “sample sale”
online, and to its national membership, announced a partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a
Business Affiliate. By joining the CFDA’s Business Services Network Gilt Groupe offers CFDA members a quick
discrete online distribution channel for excess inventory, overstock and vendor returns. Moreover every Gilt Groupe sale
is designer specific, held over a one day period and is introduced by a short video reel to educate their membership about
the featured designer or brand.
"As CFDA’s newest Business Service Network member, Gilt Groupe redefines sample sales by providing a web-based
business model that partners with designers to increase sales by reaching Gilt Groupe’s important customer base. Their
corporate affiliation with the CFDA will provide tangible benefits for our members, " explained Steven Kolb, Executive
Director of the CFDA.
In addition, Gilt Groupe and the CFDA will co-host educational events and roundtables, which will be announced later
this month.
“We are very excited to be partnering with the CFDA to offer its existing members the opportunity to reach consumers
(existing and new) online and continue to be the leading online outlet to distribute excess inventory and overstock in a
discrete and efficient manner” Alexis Maybank, Co-founder and CEO, Gilt Groupe.
About Gilt Groupe
Headquartered in New York, Gilt Groupe is a privately held company dedicated to providing its members with access to
coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at sample sale prices. Each Gilt Groupe sale (3x per week) is designer-specific
and held over a one day period. The Gilt Groupe production team creates a short video reel to introduce each designer and
brand to its membership. There is no fee associated with joining Gilt Groupe; membership is by invitation only. Investors
include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners and prominent private investors such as Kevin Ryan, former CEO,
DoubleClick, and Dwight Merriman, former CTO and Founder, DoubleClick.
Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com) announced that it has secured $5.0 million in financing from top venture capital firm Matrix Partners.
» ReadOnline Sample Sale Gains Rapid Following by Providing Access to Luxury and Fashion Brands at Preferred Pricing
NEW YORK (November 27, 2007) – Today Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), which brings invitation
only ‘sample sales’ to its national membership, announced that it has secured $5.0 million in
financing from top venture capital firm Matrix Partners.. The ‘sample sale’, a New York
phenomenon where consumers line up around the block on a single day to buy top designer items
at steep discounts, is now available for the first time online and to shoppers nationally through
Gilt Groupe.
Gilt Groupe was founded in mid 2007 by CEO Alexis Maybank, former eBay and AOL
executive, and CMO Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, former Louis Vuitton and Bulgari executive. Gilt
Groupe features up to three top designer sales per week, and each sale lasts just one day on its
website. The Company features brands from American designers like Zac Posen and Marchesa to
Italian designers like Alessandro Dell’Acqua.
Working directly with the designer or brand, Gilt Groupe ensures the best product mix and often
showcases top end designers who never discount their products or sell online. Membership is by
referral, and there is no fee associated with joining Gilt Groupe. The existing membership base
hails from all 50 states and since the Company’s November launch multiple thousands of
members join daily.
“Consumers flock en masse to New York sample sales and are passionately committed to their
favorite brands,” explained Maybank. "Gilt Groupe brings the sample sale phenomenon and hard-
to-access brands to all consumers nationally for the first time, and we offer the sales exclusively
online. Consumers who have always heard of ‘sample sales’, but have never been able to attend
one, can now do so through our site”.
As a result of the financing, Nicholas Beim, General Partner at Matrix Partners, will join the
board of directors of Gilt Groupe
About Gilt Groupe
Headquartered in New York, Gilt Groupe is a privately held company dedicated to providing its
members with access to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at sample sale prices. Gilt
Groupe hand selects both established and up and coming brands relevant to its membership base.
Each Gilt Groupe Shopping Event is designer-specific and held over a one day period. The Gilt
Groupe production team creates a short video reel to introduce each designer and brand to its
membership. There is no fee associated with joining Gilt Groupe; membership is by invitation
only. Investors include leading venture capital firm Matrix Partners and prominent private
investors such as Kevin Ryan, former CEO, DoubleClick, and Dwight Merriman, former CTO
and Founder, DoubleClick.