Jill Layfield, the former CEO of Backcountry.com, has emerged as co-founder and CEO of Tamara Mellon, the namesake fashion label of the Jimmy Choo co-founder.
Layfield stepped down as Backcountry.com’s CEO in December 2015. In June 2015, Backcountry.com was sold by iberty Interactive Corporation to TSG Consumer Partners. She initially joined Backcountry.com in 2004 in a marketing role and became CEO in 2000.
Tamara Mellon filed for bankruptcy proceedings in last December but emerged in January and earlier this year received a $12 million investment from New Enterprise Associates. The company will officially relaunch this fall under Mellon and Layfield.
“I am elated to join Tamara in creating a brand for women, by women, direct-to-women,” said Layfield in a statement. “Tamara’s expertise in luxury shoes and vision for the brand combined with NEA’s long track record of partnering with entrepreneurs to build market-leading businesses is an exciting combination. We have an opportunity to reshape the footwear buying experience and build an iconic brand in the process — I can’t wait to get started.”
“I want to rethink everything and redefine luxury,” said Mellon. “I’m thrilled to be working with Jill, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in building e-commerce businesses. Together we can build the brand I have always wanted to create.”
