EXCLUSIVE: Adam Lippes Hires New CEO

New York-based womenswear designer Adam Lippes has hired a new chief executive officer for his growing brand.

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Marco Probst joined on Aug. 1, bringing experience from a long tenure at Delvaux, the luxury Belgian handbag maker, as well as executive posts at Chloé and Hugo Boss.

“I am thrilled to join Adam and his very talented team,” Probst said in a statement. “The brand he’s created embodies the epitome of modern luxury — the utmost quality in the product with a focus on timelessness, innovation and craftsmanship.”

Probst’s experience at heritage brand Delvaux is expected to help Lippes grow his international profile. During his time as CEO of the Belgian luxury house, he expanded markets in Asia and across the globe. He also helped open flagships in London, Milan and New York, and brought the brand into the digital age by boosting e-commerce and social media channels. Delvaux was acquired by the Swiss luxury group Richemont in 2021.

“From the moment I read Marco’s resume, I was greatly impressed by his long experience in high luxury. But upon meeting him, I was wowed,” said Lippes, who founded his brand in 2013. “I am excited to partner with Marco to grow our ready to wear and accessories by sticking to our core values of craftsmanship, storytelling and customer service.”

Lippes honed his skills at Oscar de la Renta as creative director between 1996 and 2003, before launching Adam Plus Eve loungewear, which blossomed into a contemporary label acquired by Kellwood. In 2012, after Kellwood pulled the plug, Lippes bought back his name. A year later, he relaunched as a designer collection with a focus on timeless sportswear and occasionwear in exquisite florals and fabrications, made in New York. He’s financially backed by Houston’s Sarofim family and their fund-management empire.

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Earlier this year, Lippes spoke about entering the “gold dust” phase of his brand. That has included expanding the retail footprint with a new flagship in Houston’s River Oaks District, plans to open a store in Palm Beach and a by-appointment salon on Fifth Avenue, which would be the label’s second location in Manhattan after Brookfield Place. The collection is also available at more than 100 retailers, including Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

Lippes, who currently has 40 employees, recently hired a PR firm, and started working with an art director to hone the brand’s storytelling and create a new visual language. He has a collaboration with British home retailer Oka , and hopes accessories, eyewear and beauty will be coming soon, he said.

Selecting Probst as chief executive officer is another step.

“Marco’s passion, understanding and deep belief in the importance of luxury in the pure sense of the world is something we share to a T,” said Lippes.

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