In a move that signals a shift as deliberate as the transition from corsetry to the bralette, Orva has appointed Stephanie Fox as its first non-family chief executive. The 75-year-old footwear and marketplace specialist - whose portfolio reads like a who's who of athletic and casual shoe brands, including Skechers, Under Armour, and New Balance - is betting on Fox's two decades of scaling consumer brands to guide its next chapter. Fox arrives from Thrasio, the Amazon-aggregator powerhouse, where she spent nearly eight years climbing the ranks before serving as CEO. Prior to that, she founded Bravelets, a jewelry brand with a charitable mission, and held leadership roles at AchieveCard and Web Yes. The appointment is a notable departure from Orva's family-led tradition, reminiscent of how foundations garment companies once passed the needle from mother to daughter before the rise of ready-to-wear. "Stephanie's entrepreneurial mindset and operational expertise made her a natural fit," said Abe Shalom, executive chairman. Fox herself acknowledged the legacy: "I have deep admiration for the Aizer and Shalom families, whose vision built an enduring business." Her focus will be scaling Orva's marketplace platform - a digital bazaar that, like the 20th-century department store, connects brands to customers through Amazon and Walmart. In January, the company also brought on Jason Short as senior vice president to expand its athletic performance portfolio. For an industry where fit and foundation are everything, Fox's appointment suggests Orva is stitching a new pattern for growth.
Originally reported by WWD