Neal Kuznets will serve as president for both Xcel’s menswear division and Star Design group’s men’s retail division, which will also take over the brand management firm’s menswear manufacturing.

NORTH AMERICA–Xcel Brands has appointed Neal Kusnetz to serve as the president of the company’s menswear division. Concurrently, Xcel Brands has tapped Stars Design Group to exclusively manufacture its menswear collections.

In his new position, Kuznets will oversee the licensing, growth and expansion of Xcel’s menswear business. In addition, he will also serve as president of Star Design Group’s men’s retail division, where he will oversee sales efforts for the company under Xcel’s brands.

Prior to joining Xcel Brands, Kuznets was partner and senior advisor of The Convergence Lab, a business development, R&D and consultancy. Before that, he co-founded Roberg Graham, the luxury men’s lifestyle and fashion brand, and served as the brand’s president for nearly 15 years.

Additionally, new developments to the Xcel menswear business will see Stars Design Group manage the production of its menswear collections for the H Halston and Highline Collective brands, both of which are currently available exclusively at Lord & Taylor and Hudson’s Bay.

“We are enthusiastic about the growth of menswear at Xcel Brands, and are confident in the expertise of both Stars Design Group and Neal Kusnetz to accelerate our success in this category,” says Robert D’Loren, chairman and chief executive officer, Xcel Brands. “We’re pleased to be working with a cutting-edge manufacturer like Stars Design Group, and we’re confident that Neal’s background in unifying media and retail into singular brand experiences will help drive new solutions for our retail partners.”