Johanna Uurasjarvi Becomes Chief Design Officer For J Crew, Joining CEO Jim Brett

Johanna Uurasjarvi by Lorenzo Santin/Wire Image

J. Crew announced on Monday that Johanna Uurasjarvi will take over as Chief Design Officer for embattled retailer J Crew. The Finland native was previously Creative Director of West Elm, a division of Williams Sonoma, after a decade as Creative Director of Anthropologie. She launched Anthropologie's first in-house design team and developed its wholesale brand Leifsdottir. 

At both companies, Uurasjarvi worked with Jim Brett, now CEO of J Crew. Brett reflected on the many years he’s worked with Uurasjarvi and her eye for design.

"Johanna brings more than 25 years of fashion and design experience with a unique understanding of how customers shop and live. She is a visionary with impeccable taste who will undoubtedly inspire our team, our partners, and our customers," Brett said in a statement. "I am thrilled to work with Johanna again. We had a powerful and successful partnership at West Elm and Anthropologie, and to work with her again is an honor." 

"I am thrilled to join the talented team at J. Crew and help to evolve this incredible iconic brand," Uurasjarvi said in a statement. "I also look forward to working with Jim again. His vision, values and unique understanding of today's consumer make him a special leader.” via Hollywood Reporter