Totême names new CEO as Elin Kling steps back to focus on design

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jan 16, 2020

Stockholm-based fashion brand Totême is getting a new CEO from McKinsey & Co. Brand founder Elin Kling is set to hand over the CEO title to Johanna Andersson, and will continue to lead the label artistically as creative director.

Andersson has been with the brand, which sells ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories via international stockists including Net-A-Porter and Bergdorf Goodman, since August.

She joined from management consulting firm McKinsey & Co., where she co-led the Scandinavian Apparel, Fashion and Luxury goods hub to support international companies ranging from luxury to value, across strategy, growth and expansion.

She has also been a key, long-term contributor to the annual State of Fashion report by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company.

Commenting on her appointment, Andersson said she will focus on strengthening Totême’s international presence. With estimated revenues of $22m for the 2019/2020 financial year, the brand currently has 200 stockists in 25 countries. 

The business also operates a strong e-commerce business, with direct online sales accounting for 45% of total revenues.

“I’m honored to be trusted with this task, and excited to continue building Totême internationally together with the rest of the team,” said new chief executive Johanna Andersson.

“Johanna has contributed greatly to our strategy work already, and it’s only natural that she leads the team into the next chapter of our journey, as CEO. I will continue to lead the brand artistically as founder and creative director, and am excited to spend more time with the design and creative teams to evolve the Totême uniform,” added former CEO and creative director Elin Kling.