MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO
Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
Chris Blakeslee will become the new CEO of Kendra Scott Design Inc. on Jan. 12.
Austin, Texas—Kendra Scott Design Inc. has named a new CEO, five months after its eponymous founder returned to run the brand following the exit of three C-suite executives.
The Austin, Texas-based jewelry company announced Tuesday that it has hired Chris Blakeslee as its new CEO, effective Jan. 12.
The company’s founder, Kendra Scott, had been serving as interim CEO since August after the departures of CEO Tom Nolan, Chief Financial Officer Jason Friesen, and Chief People Officer Danielle Stewart amid what the company described as a new phase of expansion.
Scott will remain with the company, continuing in the roles of executive chairwoman, majority shareholder, and chief visionary officer.
Blakeslee’s LinkedIn profile shows that his most recent experience was in the activewear space.
He spent nearly six years as president of Alo Yoga and Bella + Canvas, which is owned by the same company as Alo and sells blank T-shirts for custom printing, and 2 1/2 years as president and CEO and strategic advisor to Gap-owned activewear brand Athleta.
While at Alo, Blakeslee worked with the brand’s co-founders to grow the athleticwear company from under $50 million in revenue to a $1 billion-plus business in less than five years, Kendra Scott Design said in the news release announcing his hire.
Related stories will be right here …
The Austin, Texas-based jewelry company announced Tuesday that it has hired Chris Blakeslee as its new CEO, effective Jan. 12.
The company’s founder, Kendra Scott, had been serving as interim CEO since August after the departures of CEO Tom Nolan, Chief Financial Officer Jason Friesen, and Chief People Officer Danielle Stewart amid what the company described as a new phase of expansion.
Scott will remain with the company, continuing in the roles of executive chairwoman, majority shareholder, and chief visionary officer.
Blakeslee’s LinkedIn profile shows that his most recent experience was in the activewear space.
He spent nearly six years as president of Alo Yoga and Bella + Canvas, which is owned by the same company as Alo and sells blank T-shirts for custom printing, and 2 1/2 years as president and CEO and strategic advisor to Gap-owned activewear brand Athleta.
While at Alo, Blakeslee worked with the brand’s co-founders to grow the athleticwear company from under $50 million in revenue to a $1 billion-plus business in less than five years, Kendra Scott Design said in the news release announcing his hire.
The company described him as a “proven growth architect” who brings the strategic and operational expertise required to evolve Kendra Scott into a global iconic brand.
Scott said Blakeslee understands her brand’s “customer-first” mission.
“His forward-looking vision strengthens our holistic brand world, where product, environment, community, and culture work seamlessly together,” she said.
“Chris honors my vision while adding a dynamic perspective, making him the ideal steward for our next phase of growth.”
Scott started her eponymous company in 2002.
Today, Kendra Scott Designs has more than 1,000 specialty boutiques, and more than 165 namesake experiential stores, pop-up locations, and wholesale partners, including Nordstrom and Dillard’s.
It employs about 3,200 people.
The company sells fashion, demi-fine, and fine jewelry, as well as watches, eyewear, fragrance, and home accessories.
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsNov 13, 2026
Historic ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Achieves $4.9M at Sotheby’sThe 197-carat Russian Crown jewel was the leading lot of Sotheby's white-glove Royal & Noble Jewels sale this week.
CollectionsNov 13, 2026
Maison Marcelle’s Bracelet Flows Like FabricThe “Équation” bracelet, our Piece of the Week, was built via 24 gold modules assembled into a piece that feels like fabric on the wrist.
IndependentsNov 13, 2026
Texas Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsAlter’s Gem Jewelry in Beaumont, Texas, is closing as Brian and Lori Alter retire to spend more time with family.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
Events & AwardsNov 13, 2026
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Unveil Second Jewelry Designer Award Finalists Five finalists have been chosen for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award’s second cycle.
Weekly QuizNov 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 12, 2026
1 of 7 Men Charged in $100M Brinks Heist to Plead GuiltyThree of the other alleged perpetrators will stand trial next March, while two remain on the lam and one was deported late last year.
AuctionsNov 12, 2026
24-Carat ‘Bulgari Pink’ Diamond Sells for $14.8MUnseen for more than seven decades, the fancy intense pink diamond was the star of Christie’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
WatchesNov 12, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Now Offers Certified Pre-Owned Rolex WatchesThe curated selection is available online and at its showroom in Austin, Texas.
IndependentsNov 12, 2026
Greenberg’s Jewelers Welcomes New Fourth-Generation MembersThe next generation understands what makes the 126-year-old retailer special, said CEO and Co-President Elise Greenberg.
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
