Harrods gets fashion director from Selfridges

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 14, 2019

Lydia King, currently womenswear buying and merchandising director at Selfridges, is to join rival Harrods later this year as its new fashion director.

She has been with Selfridges for over 12 years, and in her current role she is responsible for the buying strategy for the upmarket retailer’s stores and online.

Joining Harrods in September, King will lead Harrods’ womenswear and childrenswear buying teams and drive the strategy for these divisions across the store and online.

Head of womenswear Maria Milano, and head of childrenswear Elizabeth Cliff will report directly to Lydia King, whilst Simon Longland, head of menswear & sports will continue to report to managing director Michael Ward as the business completes its ongoing Menswear investment strategy.

Commenting on King’s appointment, Harrods MD Michael Ward, said: “Lydia is a hugely experienced industry leader, and I look forward to working together to deliver our ambitious vision for fashion at Harrods.”

The Knightsbridge store is undergoing a £200m refurbishment to increase its appeal to Asian shoppers, and has recently unveiled the first phase of a new beauty hall. The menswear department is also being redesigned as part of the makeover, which is considered the most ambitious refurbishment carried out by the retailer since it opened in 1849.