EXCLUSIVE: Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Hires New CMO

Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty has tapped Vanessa Wallace as chief marketing officer.

“I’ve always admired Rihanna as a fashion icon, musician and fearless entrepreneur,” Wallace told WWD in an exclusive statement. “She has undoubtedly created something very special with Savage x Fenty, and I firmly believe in the brand’s impact on millions of consumers. My goal is to build on this tremendous momentum and ensure we remain at the forefront of culture and drive the industry toward greater inclusivity.”

Wallace was formerly head of brand marketing at Nike, where she held many roles for nearly two decades. Most recently, she led marketing efforts for the Jordan Brand in North America; she launched the Jordan Brand Women’s Collective, an initiative to empower women, and helped establish the Jordan Brand Black Community Commitment, a $100 million investment aimed to fight systemic racism. Prior to Nike, Wallace worked at marketing strategy firm Grassroots Promotions, collaborating with companies including Procter & Gamble, BET, MTV and WNBA.

In her new position at Savage x Fenty, Wallace — a graduate of the University of Texas — will oversee brand and product marketing, media, creative, membership and global communications. She will report directly to the brand’s chief executive officer, Hillary Super.

“Vanessa’s track record of brand building, most recently at Jordan, showcases her ability to drive growth and innovation,” Super told WWD exclusively. “Her deep experience spans across various channels, including retail, digital and wholesale, making her exceptionally well-positioned for this role. Vanessa has a proven ability to create brand heat and engage consumers in meaningful ways, and we’re excited to see her bring this expertise to Savage x Fenty.”

Launched by Rihanna in 2018, Savage x Fenty — specializing in intimates, loungewear and sportswear — is co-owned by French luxury giant LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. The brand has been rooted in inclusivity since Day One, offering accessible price points and sizes. Bras are available up to 46DDD or 42H, with underwear and apparel ranging between XS to 4X or XXXXL.

The company began as an e-commerce business before rolling out retail in early 2022. The first store was in Las Vegas, followed by openings in or around Los Angeles; Houston; Philadelphia; Atlanta; Orland Park, Ill.; Washington, D.C., and New York, with nine locations total, as reported by WWD. The brand plans to expand to Detroit; Glendale, Calif.; Miami; St. Louis, Mo., and Boston.

“Our priorities include expanding Savage x Fenty’s product lines and doubling down on retail expansion and wholesale growth,” Super told WWD of plans moving forward. “Increasing points of distribution allow us to meet our customers where they are, ensuring they have access to our products. This dual approach broadens our reach and the overall customer experience.”