January 21st 2021, Stockholm – Scandinavian fashion label Filippa K has appointed Rikard Frost as its new CEO, effective April 1st 2021. An exciting new chapter for both Rikard and the brand, his arrival unites Filippa K’s values and heritage with his own global experience and direct-to-consumer expertise.
“Filippa K is on a path of international growth with great potential, and I’m happy to announce Rikard’s appointment to the company. As an industry veteran with a proven track record of helping brands to grow and thrive on a global scale, we believe he is a natural fit to work with the strong team at Filippa K in continuing to expand the brand and the business,” said Joakim Skarborg, CEO of owner Novax and Board Chairman of Filippa K.
As a Swedish native, the appointment sees Rikard return to his home country from New York, where he was based in his role as Chief Consumer Officer for Alexander Wang. Additional experience working for brands with presences in key markets including the UK, US, France and China leaves Rikard well placed to lead Filippa K’s ambitious plans to champion sustainable change in the global fashion industry. Having also spent over a decade leading digital transformation at Acne Studios, Rikard possesses a keen understanding of Scandinavian style. During his time at the company Acne Studios grew from a local denim brand to an internationally acclaimed luxury fashion house, with Rikard’s ability to define ecommerce for the luxury fashion landscape a key factor behind the elevation of the brand’s expression, customer experience and reach.
“Joining this iconic Scandinavian brand is an irresistible opportunity. I’m looking forward to furthering the development of its fantastic products and sustainable values. These attributes, alongside the company’s exceptional reputation, provide the basis for reaching new audiences and growing far beyond the current Scandinavian home market. Most importantly, they enable us to drive real change within the fashion industry on a global scale which is something I care deeply for also at a personal level,” said Rikard.
Founded by Filippa Knutsson, Filippa K is a household name in the Nordics that today is owned by Novax, the investment arm of Axel Johnson, and the founders. With an emphasis on the sustainable creation of timeless and long-lasting pieces, the company offers collections of ready to wear clothing for women and men, as well as a women’s athleisure line. Over the past three decades Filippa K has expanded globally, significantly increasing both its physical and digital presence to currently trade in 72 markets.
“The board is very proud of the success Filippa K has achieved, especially in the past year. The dedication, teamwork, and adaptability of its employees have allowed the company to act swiftly and find creative solutions in the face of unprecedented circumstances. The brand’s mission of mindful consumption continues to be a strong foundation, perhaps more relevant now than ever, pushing the industry towards a more sustainable future, and we’re looking forward to this next step on its growth journey,” Joakim added.
Rikard will take office at the Stockholm headquarters in April. Until then, Erik Björk will continue as interim CEO for Filippa K.
