Fashion Industry Vet Steve Birkhold Joins XSET

, a lifestyle gaming organization, announced that former fashion industry veteran Steve Birkhold has joined as its chief merchandise and licensing officer.  

XSET co-founder Wil Eddins, who previously held the part, will move into the new position of chief creative officer, overseeing all creative strategies for the company. 

"The second I met Steve, I knew he could take the test merch program we've been perfecting over the last year and build it into something massive that is meaningful and sought after by gamers around the world," says Eddins. 

Birkhold has more than 30 years of experience in global fashion, as well as the distinction of being one of the few chief executive officers worldwide to have run many large-scale fashion businesses. Birkhold has worked with brands like Diesel, Lacoste, BEBE and more than a decade of senior management roles at VF Corporation, focusing on Lee Jeans, Nautica Jeans and Earl Jeans. Birkhold's expertise spans the breadth and depth of fashion, including marketing, retail, wholesale, ecommerce, operations, brand partnerships and high-level corporate strategic planning.  

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"We are thrilled to have one of the most respected names in fashion join our team," says Greg Selkoe, co-founder, chief executive officer, XSET. "Steve's expertise in the space is a perfect fit as we continue to scale, deliver and set the trends other gaming organizations will follow. Steve is a true visionary and recognized leader known for building iconic brands; we can't wait for XSET to become his next!" 

In addition to his executive role at XSET, Birkhold will serve on XSET's advisory board, leveraging his expertise, knowledge and skill across fashion-related initiatives and different verticals. 

"I am honored to be joining XSET as their chief merchandise and licensing officer and lend my expertise to their world-class team," says Birkhold. "What Greg and his team have accomplished in just the first year since its inception is a tremendous achievement. The gaming industry and XSET are both seeing exponential growth, and I look forward to continuing that trajectory and helping see the organization through their next levels of success."