Finnish design house Marimekko has appointed Natacha Defrance, 48, as senior vice president, sales, region east and a member of the management group. At the same time, general counsel Essi Weseri, 39, has also been appointed as a management group member. They will both report to president and CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko.

MS (marketing and sales) Defrance joined Marimekko in June 2020 and has worked in the position of head of market area, Greater China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Since October 2022, she has also worked as interim senior vice president, sales, region east. Before joining Marimekko, she worked mostly in Asia in various leadership positions in retail and international marketing for luxury and premium brands such as Lacoste, Christian Dior Couture, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chanel, Marimekko said in a media release. 

“I am delighted that Natacha will take on this larger role in expanding Marimekko’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region. During the strategy period of 2023–2027, we intend to focus on scaling our business and growth especially in international markets. Natacha’s extensive experience in developing omnichannel retail and operations in Asia will support us in accelerating growth in this most important geographical area for our international growth,” said president and CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko.

Design house Marimekko has appointed Natacha Defrance, 48, as senior vice president, sales, region east and a member of the management group. At the same time, general counsel Essi Weseri, 39, has also been appointed as a management group member. They will both report to president and CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko. Defrance joined Marimekko in June 2020.

As announced earlier, Marimekko’s sales leadership in the management group is divided into two geographical regions, region east and region west. The region east comprises the Asia-Pacific region, while the region west consists of Finland, Scandinavia, EMEA, and North America.

LLM Weseri joined Marimekko in October 2021 and works as general counsel of the company. Previously she has worked as lead counsel and senior legal counsel at Stora Enso Corporation, as legal counsel at Altia Corporation, and as associate for Roschier, Attorneys Ltd.

“As Marimekko’s business grows and becomes even more international, the role and importance of the management and protection of intellectual property rights and ensuring compliance in the overall increasing regulation environment is underlined. I am thrilled to welcome Essi to the management group,” added Alahuhta-Kasko.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)