Joseph Altuzarra Takes the Helm as CEO of His Brand to Lead a New Phase of Growth

Starting in January, designer Joseph Altuzarra will assume the role of CEO of his eponymous brand, succeeding Shira Sue Carmi, who is stepping down after five years of leadership.

Joseph Altuzarra, founder of the acclaimed fashion brand Altuzarra, will take on the position of CEO from the start of next year. Shira Sue Carmi, who has served as CEO since 2020, will step down on December 31 to join the board of directors. Meanwhile, Marta Lastra, a longtime Chief Operating Officer who was recently promoted to President in September, will work closely with Altuzarra to guide the company through its next stage of growth. Lastra will expand her focus to include areas such as distribution and marketing in addition to her current responsibilities in product and operations.

Altuzarra, celebrated for his elegant and feminine designs since founding the brand in 2008, expressed gratitude to Carmi for her leadership over the past few years, during which the company experienced significant growth. “I am thrilled to lead this new phase as CEO, working closely with Marta,” the designer said in a statement.

This leadership transition coincides with a recent minority investment from venture capital firm P180, led by Brendan Hoffman, former CEO of Vince, and Christine Hunsicker, founder of the e-commerce platform CaaStle. The investment aims to strengthen Altuzarra’s profitability and market presence, while boosting its direct-to-consumer business. As part of this strategy, the brand will move its e-commerce operations to CaaStle, including a rental model for its products. While CaaStle will manage inventory and online operations, Altuzarra will focus on expanding retail partnerships and diversifying its product offerings.

During the pandemic, Carmi and Altuzarra implemented a series of strategic changes, including cost reductions and the exploration of new categories such as home goods, knitwear, and more affordable products like the popular $545 Watermill bags. They also launched Altu, a gender-neutral fashion line aimed at a younger audience, although this initiative was later discontinued.

The objective of Altuzarra’s dual role is to unify the brand’s creative and strategic direction at a pivotal moment in its evolution. Backed by P180, Altuzarra plans to minimize inventory risks and maximize full-price sales, key elements of the brand’s strategy for the coming year.