Latest news with #LLBean
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shuffle Board: Luxury Retail's Money Moves, Marni Nabs Creative Director
Retail Aritzia Canadian 'everyday luxury' retailer Aritzia has named Karrie Helm as retail director, per a LinkedIn post penned by Helm. She previously spent nearly 15 years at the Minnesota retail chain, Evereve, most recently serving as senior director of stores. L.L. Bean Outdoor retailer L.L. Bean announced that chief executive officer Stephen Smith is exiting, effective spring 2026. Smith took the helm in 2016 as the company's first-ever external CEO. Over the past decade, he championed a culture of collaboration and cross-functional alignment that strengthened the organization. Smith will remain 'fully engaged' in leading L.L. Bean before transitioning responsibilities to his successor. That spans focusing on continued growth, preparing for the upcoming peak season, and advancing the work outlined in the company's long-range 'Vision 2030' strategic plan. The board of directors, led by chairman Shawn Gorman, has initiated a search for Smith's successor, with an extended transition period in place to support a smooth handoff. More from Sourcing Journal Shuffle Board: Funko Replaces CEO, Madewell Exec Joins Parker Thatch Shuffleboard: Lego Legend Nominated to Nike Board American Giants Levi's and Nike Join Forces Mango Barcelona-based global fashion chain Mango has appointed Helena Helmersson as a new independent member of its board of directors. The former H&M Group CEO brings over 20 years of experience to the board, specifically the strategic perspective from her international know-how across 75 markets. With Helmersson's appointment, the board comprises Toni Ruiz (chairman and CEO), Jonathan Andic (vice chairman), Daniel López, and Margarita Salvans as executive directors; and six independent directors, including Helmersson. Nordstrom Luxury department store chain Nordstrom has named Kelly Dilts as chief financial officer, effective Aug. 29. In this role, Dilts will oversee all core financial functions as well as real estate, store development and strategic sourcing. She joins from Dollar General, where she has served as executive vice president and CFO since 2023. Before that, Dilts served as EVP and CFO for Francesca's (2016 to 2019) and as senior vice president of finance and investor relations for Tailored Brands. OTB Marni's parent company and luxury holding corporation Only the Brave (OTB) Group, has appointed Belgian designer Meryll Rogge as creative director of the Milan-based house. She succeeds Francesco Risso, who left the label in June after almost 10 years at the helm, and joins following the success of her eponymous brand. In 2021, Rogge won the Emerging Talent of the Year award at the Belgian Fashion Awards, which named her Designer of the Year in 2024: the first woman to receive this award. Recently, Rogge received the Grand Prix at the 2025 ANDAM Fashion Awards. Saks Global Nascent luxury retail and real estate conglomerate Saks Global has named Brandy Richardson as chief financial officer, effective Aug. 18. Richardson succeeds interim CFO Mark Weinsten—once interim CFO of Neiman Marcus Group (NMG)—who joined Saks Global to lead the company's financial reorganization after acquiring NMG in December 2024. The two will work together for a smooth transition. Richardson joins from Tailored Brands, where she's served as executive vice president and CFO since 2021. She spent most of her career at NMG, where she held various finance leadership roles of increasing responsibility throughout her 15-year tenure. Richardson will report to CEO Marc Metrick as part of the Saks Global management team. Tailored Brands Omnichannel specialty retailer Tailored Brands announced that chief financial officer Brandy Richardson is leaving to pursue another opportunity, effective July 25. The company launched a search for a successor and, in the interim, the existing finance team will report to John Tighe, president and incoming CEO. Brands Nike Athletic giant Nike's vice president of artificial intelligence, Jason Loveland, is leaving the company to 'take on a new challenge,' per a LinkedIn post. Loveland joined Nike in January 2018 and became VP of AI in August 2021. His seven-plus-year stint included leading Nike's generative AI initiative and 'partnering AI/ML engineering with data science to deploy and scale AI products globally,' per his post. Textiles Oritain Forensic and data science company Oritain has named Paul Bentham as chief product and technology officer (CPTO). In this new role, Bentham will lead global product, engineering and data science teams, focused on identifying innovations within forensic science and developing technology. He brings over 20 years' business experience, including early days delivering advanced technology solutions to the UK government. As chief product officer at Immersive Labs, he helped scale the company's cyber resilience platform that 'drove tenfold revenue growth over four years. Bentham's appointment builds on Oritain's recently expanded executive team, which includes COO Heidi Cullen and CMO Sarah Scott. Logistics ArcBest ArcBest, the parent of direct LTL competitor ABF Freight, announced Judy McReynolds will retire as chief executive officer, effective Dec. 31. Company president Seth Runser will succeed McReynolds as CEO on January 1, 2026. Runser will retain his role as president and also join the board, effective on the same date. McReynolds will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Raw Materials Brrr Atlanta-based company Brrr has named Christopher Heyn as chief executive officer. Heyn has been serving as executive chairman and will now assume the CEO role to lead the company into its next phase of growth. In this role, Heyn will spearhead the company's mission to deliver thermoregulating fabric solutions for all seasons across a range of apparel and lifestyle products. Sign in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
19-07-2025
- Washington Post
How a federal monument's new welcome center in Maine honors Native Americans
ATOP LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Maine — The founder of Burt's Bees envisioned a tribute to Henry David Thoreau when she began buying thousands of acres of logging company land to donate for what would become the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. But there was a major pivot: The monument's new welcome center tells its story not from the perspective of the famed naturalist but through the eyes of the Wabanaki tribes who were the land's original inhabitants. Roxanne Quimby's family collaborated with four tribal nations, private entities and federal officials to create the $35 million center that the National Park Service opened to the public on June 21, providing a focal point for the 87,500-acre (354 square kilometer) monument. Dubbed 'Tekαkαpimək' (pronounced duh gah-gah bee mook), which means 'as far as the eye can see' in the Penobscot language, the contemporary wood-clad structure atop Lookout Mountain provides a stunning view of Katahdin, a mountain of key importance to Penobscot Nation, one of four Wabanaki Confederacy tribes in present-day Maine. 'It's a sacred mountain. For Penobscot people, it's really the heart of our homeland,' said Jennifer Neptune, a Penobscot who contributed artwork and written interpretations for the exhibits. Philanthropic funds covered the construction costs and land purchases for the monument, which is now now maintained by the park service. Tekαkαpimək donors included L.L. Bean, Burt's Bees and the National Park Foundation, funneled through the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, along with the Quimby family. Quimby sold Burt's Bees, maker of lip balm and other products, as she turned her attention to philanthropy. Off the grid and reachable only by unpaved roads, the center features an amphitheater and eastward lookout for sunrise ceremonies led by the Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes, known collectively as the 'people of the dawn.' The vista stretches over land the tribes traversed for thousands of years. The other side faces Katahdin, which at 5,269 feet (1,606 meters) is Maine's tallest peak. Inside, exhibits and artwork teach visitors about birch bark canoes, ancient fishing techniques, the night sky and local wildlife, with translations in Wabanaki languages. Floor tiles reveal an intricate map of tributaries to the Penobscot River, which flows past the island home of the Penobscot reservation to the ocean. The welcome center has opened amid President Donald Trump's campaign to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives nationwide, including by issuing an executive order aimed at 'restoring truth and sanity to American history' that prompted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to order a review of signs, memorials and statues. While the Trump administration's moves have created some unease, a formal management agreement between the federal government and the tribal nations involved should protect the center's focus on the Native Americans who were stewards of this land for centuries, said Quimby's son, Lucas St. Clair, who marshaled his mother's effort to have the land donated to the National Park Service. 'We can do better about teaching the real history of the United States,' and the welcome center attempts that, he said. 'It's not an insult to America. We're not trying to talk badly about America,' he said. When Quimby began buying the land in the 1990s, she was inspired by Thoreau's travels through the region, which included an 1857 journey led by a Penobscot guide, Joe Polis, that he chronicled in 'The Maine Woods.' But the focus began to shift in 2014 when her son joined a group led by tribal leaders that retraced Thoreau's lengthy travels on the 150th anniversary of that book's publication. St. Clair realized there was a richer story to tell. St. Clair began consulting with the tribes, only to be humbled two years later, after President Barack Obama's interior secretary traveled to Maine to celebrate the land's designation as a national monument . A tribal leader chided St. Clair because no tribal members were invited to speak. The omission had revealed a cultural blind spot: 'It just felt like, oh my gosh, I missed the boat on this one,' St. Clair recounted. Another pivotal moment came after the unveiling of the first welcome center design, which Neptune said was inspired by a New England farmhouse-style structure that once served loggers in the area. Tribal representatives felt the design smacked of colonialism and oppression, Neptune said. Lawyers were brought in to protect tribal heritage and intellectual property, while the non-natives involved made deeper efforts to understand Wabanaki culture, and the architect collaborated with an expanded tribal advisory board on a new design evoking a moose's antlers, inspired by a story of a tribal hero. James Francis, the Penobscot Nation's tribal historian, hopes this collaboration serves as a template for future projects involving Native Americans. 'The real achievement of this project was the connection to Maine and how it was done — bringing in the Wabanaki people and giving them a voice,' he said. Quimby said the original design was beautiful, but the discussions with tribal members were eye-opening. 'The more we went along with it, the more we realized that they could make an enormous contribution,' Quimby said. According to the tribe, Thoreau made a major contribution to Penobscot history by documenting their place names, and once wrote in a journal that 'the Indian language reveals another wholly new life to us.' Thoreau would approve of Quimby's steps to conserve land for future generations, said Will Shafroth, former president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, which raises money to assist the National Park Service. 'You have to believe that Thoreau would basically sit on the side of the river and thank God she and her family did this,' Shafroth said.
Fox News
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Fox News
Beach bags that carry sunscreen, snacks and other summer essentials
A well-designed beach tote should be stylish and practical, with plenty of space to carry everything you need – from lunch and snacks to extra SPF, hats, towels, books and games. Here are 10 beach bags to ensure everyone has a fun day in the sun. This lightweight tote from Amazon is perfect for sandy beach days. The waterproof mesh material resists water and allows sand to fall through, keeping the interior clean. Its eight spacious pockets organize towels, sunscreen and water bottles. Away has a similar option with a zipper top. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Anthropologie's striped canvas tote combines classic seaside style with practicality. Its sturdy canvas ensures durability, while the interior pocket secures smaller items. The bold stripes and leather accents add a chic touch, making it the ideal choice for fashion-forward beachgoers. If you like this style, L.L. Bean also makes this beach-worthy tote in a waterproof fabric that's easy to wipe or rinse clean. Known for its rugged durability, the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag is made from heavy-duty canvas, and is built to withstand everyday wear and tear. The open design allows easy access to your belongings, but if you prefer something a bit more secure, there is a zip-top iteration. It's available in various sizes and colors and customizable with a monogram. Béis Travel's Large Work Tote doubles as a beach bag, thanks to its roomy interior and water-resistant inner material. With multiple compartments for easy organization – including a padded laptop sleeve that can hold magazines or books – this bag seamlessly transitions from the office to the shore. Its sleek design and neutral tones ensure it's as stylish as it is functional. The brand also makes a dedicated mesh beach tote. Lands' End's multi-pocket tote does it all. It has plenty of pockets and can be worn as a crossbody, hand-carried or slipped through a luggage handle (thanks to a convertible trolley sleeve). The durable cotton fabric withstands water, sand and sunscreen, and a full zip-top keeps valuables tucked away and out of the sun. To keep your small items even more organized, consider adding these pouches. This oversized tote by Scout is great for families. The water-resistant, lightweight fabric and structured design make it perfect for carrying towels, toys and snacks. The bold patterns add a touch of fun, and the bag's ability to stand upright ensures easy packing and unpacking on busy beach days. You can also opt for the various colors and prints, some of which are discounted. No beach day is complete without refreshing drinks and snacks. This insulated tote keeps your drinks and snacks chilled while providing ample room for other essentials. L.L. Bean also makes a cooler tote in durable canvas with a detachable shoulder strap for hands-free carrying. This day tripper bag is both lightweight and splash-proof, making it ideal for beachgoers who want to keep their belongings dry. Its roomy interior fits all the essentials and the durable material ensures it'll last over the years. You can also grab the brand's coordinating zippered pouch to stash small items. For more deals, visit The original Bogg bag is a classic beach hero. It's waterproof, easy to clean and built to stand upright. It's easy to hose off sand and spills and never loses shape, even when packed with towels, sunscreen, snacks, sand toys and more. You can enhance your bag with hooks for sunglasses and decorative charms.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Internet divided over fresh twist on the pricey Birkin bag... So would you wear it?
A Philadelphia designer has sparked a debate online after transforming classic tote bags into luxury handbags that cost more than some people's rent. The 'Boatkin' - part Birkin, part tote - is a bargain vintage LL Bean Boat and Tote bag restructured to mimic the style of the luxury Hermes Birkin bag that can cost upwards of $10,000. The controversial bag is the creation of Jen Risk, founder of brand Hathaway Hutton. The Hathaway Hutton website describes the Boatkin as 'a super fun super niche super useful tote bag that you can spill an entire nitro cold brew in and not have one ounce of guilt about it.' Risk, who describes her creation as 'quiet luxury with a smirk,' charges between $1,200 and $1,600 for each custom bag. 'I wanted to mess with the seriousness of it all and give it some personality,' she told the New York Times in a recent interview: The bag is priced at a staggering markup from the original L.L. Bean tote's which comes with a $35-$55 price tag. The designer has already sold over 300 Boatkins since launching the concept. There is now a six-month waiting list for delivery - not yet at the level of the notorious Hermès Birkin waitlist that can last years. Shoppers are now divided over the idea with many slamming the bag online, the creator acknowledged. 'Most people love it, which has been really fun,' Risk said. 'A few people get weirdly mad.' 'Wdym old and tattered LL Bean Boat and Totes are being hacked into a Boatkin and being sold for $1,500?!? I'm scratching my head a bit but ngl, I kinda want one,' one conflicted user wrote on X. Others commented: 'Obsessed,' while claiming it's the 'bag of the summer.' The product is made from 'excellently crafted vintage canvas totes, hand cut and hand sewn,' according to the website. 'Every single square inch of fabric and canvas from the original tote has been used (no really... there's like 2 square inches of waste leftover).' The website also tells customers to 'Please ONLY purchase a Boatkin™ if you know and understand that vintage totes were 'used and abused' by the people that loved them before I took them to the chopping block to give them a new life. 'While I clean the canvas very well (like... with a power washer) there may still be stains that you will see from water, dirt, pen, dogs, life, etc,' the website warns. 'Some totes have writing on the front or back (see our example Boatkin with the #21 written in sharpie on the rear). Each one is unique and one of a kind. No two are the same!'
Miami Herald
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
It's Raining, You're Camping-Now What?
You can control many elements when vacation planning but the weather's not one of them. For my first solo camping trip, I would have dialed up days in the 80s with sunshine and a light breeze. Instead, I faced steady drizzle punctuated by torrential downpours with nighttime temps just above freezing. Here's how I made the most of my road trip between two of the Northeast's great mountain regions when Mother Nature delivered late fall instead of mid-spring. The writer's accommodations were hosted. All opinions are her own. The fundamental scout mott0 – be prepared – meant that I checked the forecast. And the news was grim. So I needed to adjust my packing. Out went the bug spray, high SPF sunscreen and bathing suit. Instead, I retrieved my winter clothes from storage, packing the following essentials: Lightweight Cuddl Duds long underwearZip-up Patagonia fleeceWaterproof LL Bean hooded jacketSmartWool hiking socks Once I knew I'd be (relatively) comfortable, I set about adjusting my activities for the trip. My trip wasn't a total washout because the Berkshire and Adirondack mountain regions are established vacation destinations with dozens of attractions. Once I wrapped my head around the fact that I wasn't going swimming or roasting s'mores, I filled my days with fun and my belly with the area's great food. I monitored the forecast closely and when damp pockets opened up between drenching downpours, I headed outdoors for some short hikes, being careful to watch my footing on slippery rocks and muddy trails. Here are my top picks for rainy day camping fun in the Berkshires and Adirondacks with sunshine alternatives if you get luckier than me! Hike to Bash Bish Falls A 20-minute hike from NY's Taconic State Park crosses the Massachusetts border and ends at the Commonwealth's highest waterfall. The final cascade of Bash Bish Falls plunges 60 feet into a crystal clear pool ringed by dramatic boulders. The ascent to the falls is uphill on a wide, rocky trail. If the Weather's Sunny: Longer hikes to the falls are accessible from NY's Taconic State Park and MA's Bash Bish FallsBike the recently repaved 3.6-mile section of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Copake FallsPedal boats and kayaks are available for campground guests at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills Flower Power at the Berkshire Botanical Garden I seek out public gardens when traveling to get inspiration for my own yard. The Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA, is a petite gem with trails winding through classic rose gardens and whimsical topiary installations. They were having a plant sale when I visited. I scored a cardoon plant – a spiky exotic with purple artichoke-looking flowers. And it was only $5. If the Weather's Sunny: Spacious Skies promotes a Spring Bloom trail linking its campgrounds. Pick a bouquet of local wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace, Bee Balm and Wild Blue Phlox to brighten your The Wild Center, a 115-acre, science-based nature exhibit with treetop bridges, playgrounds and a music-filled forest. Tour The Mount In 1902, author Edith Wharton designed The Mount, a grand European-style estate in Lenox, Massachusetts. She resided there for ten years, composing many of her most famous works from her bed, including Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth. She was the first woman awarded both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and an honorary doctorate from Yale. Separate tours of the house and garden are included with admission. Seasonal ghost tours are popular, requiring a separate fee and reservation. If the Weather's Sunny: The woods at The Mount are meticulously maintained and feature outdoor sculptures worth Berkshires are home to the world-famous Tanglewood summer festival and Shakespeare & Company theater performances. They're less than 15 miles from Spacious Skies Woodland Skies Adirondack Peaks campground is an hour north of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, featuring a full summer schedule of concerts, dance, comedy and an annual jazz festival. Fort Ticonderoga – It's Revolutionary! Much of the action during the Revolutionary War happened in the region between the Berkshires and the Adirondacks, including the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777. As America approaches its 250th birthday, historical sites are featuring special exhibits and programs. Fort Ticonderoga was seized by Ethan Allen, Vermont's Green Mountain Boys and America's most famous traitor Benedict Arnold in 1775. Costumed guides explain the fort's history and demonstrate colonial trades like shoemaking and tailoring. If the Weather's Sunny: Boat tours are a fun summer activity in the Adirondacks on both Lake Champlain, which separates NY from Vermont, and Lake George, one of the region's most popular family vacation George has a Six Flags Great Escape amusement and water park and Fort William Henry, which featured prominently in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. When it rains on vacation, I don't feel guilty indulging in two of my favorite pastimes: shopping and eating. Bouncing between boutiques, breweries and bistros was a fun way to pass rainy hours. Where to Shop I scored some unique treasures like a monogrammed cutting board from Vermont woodworkers JK Adams. At their Dorset, VT, factory and retail store, you can view the production facilities in action. Here are some of my top spots for shopping near the two Spacious Skies campgrounds where I stayed: MacKimmie Co. in Lenox is the place to go for hard-to-resist throws and a great selection of Frank and Eileen women's head home without pure VT maple syrup from the Sugar Shack. Bonus: They have an interesting, free Norman Rockwell Adirondack gear, camp apparel and a stellar downloadable playlist at Schroon Lake Department Store. Good Eats The dreary weather put me in a comfort food state of mind, so I gravitated towards cozy places with hearty plates like Jackson's Old Chatham House. My favorite discoveries include: The French onion soup and homemade pie are two excellent reasons to visit Pitkin's prime rib sandwich at The Old Heritage Tavern in Lenox was smothered in crispy onion bits and big enough to share, if you get a cup of clam chowder as a find a wide selection of craft beers at Paradox Brewery and solid pizza, too. Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks scheduled a weekend of activities for the Memorial Day holiday, including local food truck 80K Street Plates. Their $25 cold lobster roll was packed full of claw and knuckle meat. I was able to survive and enjoy my first camping trip for several reasons. I didn't stay in a cold, soggy were plenty of rain or shine activities Spacious Skies campgrounds had a fun vibe, despite the weather. Camp Accommodations You can rough it at Spacious Skies campgrounds or enjoy nature from the comfort of your RV. Both the Woodland Hills and Adirondack Peaks sites have multiple lodging options, including tent sites, retro trailers and cabins. I stayed in the Cosmos Cottage, a pet-friendly mobile home in Woodland Hills that comfortably sleeps six and has a stocked kitchen and two full bathrooms. The Cottage comes with complete linen packages, so you don't have to worry about packing sheets and towels. At Adirondack Peaks, my home was a bunk bed in a family yurt that also sleeps six and can accommodate your pets. Fortunately, there was a heating unit since the nighttime temps dropped to near freezing. However, there's no running water or bathroom in the yurt. I carefully planned my evening treks to the nearby bathhouse when there were pauses in the storm. The rhythm of the rain pelting the canvas was very soothing, and I had great sleeps in the yurt. The Spacious Skies concept of building a collection of campsites was launched in 2021. The goal of wife and husband co-founders Ali and Eric Rasmussen was to develop sites with a consistent feel in unique locations. The atmosphere is inclusive and welcoming to all; Spacious Skies is a proud partner of LGBTQ Outdoors and Black Folks Camp Too. My fellow campers included young couples traveling with their dogs and large families kicking off the summer season. One woman I met decided not to sell her 22-foot RV after her boyfriend died. She rented a site at Spacious Skies for the season and plans to commute from her home near Albany for weekends in the woods this summer. The friendly team at the Adirondack Peaks site sent out encouraging texts to guests inviting them to a polar plunge in the pool and an evening screening of The Incredibles in the open-air pavilion with complimentary bags of popcorn. Although I shivered through the movie, I couldn't help but smile. The kids were oblivious to the weather. They raced bikes, squealed into orbit on the massive jumping pillow and happily stomped through puddles. It was heartwarming to see children having fun at play without screens. I'm glad I didn't give up and go home. I awarded myself an imaginary Camping in the Rain merit badge. Will I try it again? Yes, but I'll probably book at the last minute when the forecast is sunny and dry. Read More: Rainy Day at Disney – Tips for Visiting Disney Parks in the Rain The Ultimate Family Camping Packing List Where the Locals Camp: Best Southern California Spots Best Camping Gear Essentials for the Great Outdoors The post It's Raining, You're Camping-Now What? appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
