Designer Joe Mimran stepping down at Joe Fresh

by Michelle da Silva on March 16th, 2015 at 5:33 PM

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Joe Mimran is stepping down from the namesake clothing company he founded and helmed for the past nine years. The Canadian fashion designer behind Joe Fresh, an exclusive fashion label for Loblaw Companies Limited, will leave the brand to current Joe Fresh president, Mario Grauso.

In an interview with the Financial Post, Mimran confirmed his departure.

“As I step back from my day-to-day responsibilities, I’m happy to pass the baton to Mario and his team—experienced hands committed to our shared vision.

“I look forward to seeing the continued growth of Joe Fresh as we introduce this iconic Canadian brand to new markets and customers around the globe,” he continued.

When the Georgia Straight reached out to Loblaw today (March 16), the Toronto-based company told the Straight that no news release or formal statement regarding Mimran’s departure was planned.

Prior to Joe Fresh, Mimran, who is now 62, co-founded Club Monaco in 1985. That clothing retailer is now run by Ralph Lauren.

In 2006, Mimran helped launch a women’s and men’s clothing and accessories line called Joe Fresh at 40 Loblaw and Real Canadian Superstore supermarkets across Canada. Over the next few years, the brand grew to include children’s and cosmetics sections. In 2010, Joe Fresh launched standalone stores, first in Vancouver, and then in other cities across North America, including New York City.

According to the Financial Post, Grauso was named chief operating officer of Joe Fresh in 2013, the same year the company made headlines when one of its garment factories in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,000 workers. Joe Fresh has since joined other fast-fashion companies in signing an accord to help protect worker safety in Bangladeshi garment factories.

In 2014, Loblaw announced that Joe Fresh will expand into 23 countries in new markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South Korea.