Decjuba owner Tania Austin has stepped away from the CEO role, appointing Audrey Nania as the brand’s first-ever new leader in 17 years.
Austin will continue to own the entire business as she moves into the role of chair.
Nania has been with Decjuba for 15 years, starting in a six-person head office and now leading a team of 1,400 across Australia and New Zealand. Prior to her new position as CEO, Nania was the chief operating officer of Decjuba, and was GM of merchandise and operations before that.
"Audrey’s passion and energy for the fashion industry have played a huge role in shaping Decjuba into what it is today,” Austin said. “Watching Audrey grow over the last 15 years has been incredible, she started in planning and has worked across almost every part of the business, always pushing boundaries, taking on challenges and leading with both her head and heart."
Austin bought Decjuba in 2008 and relaunched the brand in the same year.
"Growing Decjuba from five stores to over 170 doors has been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be more excited to see Audrey step into this role,” Austin said. “We have traveled the world together and share the same deep love for fashion. There is no one better to lead Decjuba, our people, and our amazing community into the future."
Nania officially took on the CEO role at the beginning of March. According to Nania, her goal is to continue the brand’s core vision of focusing on customer needs.
"Retail, digital and fashion has evolved more than ever, and I can’t wait to take what makes Decjuba special and bring it to even more people in new and exciting ways.
"Tania has built something truly incredible and it’s been amazing to be by her side over the past 15 years. Her vision and leadership, always challenging ‘the why,’ have shaped Decjuba into the brand it is today.
“It’s a privilege to lead a brand I love, and I’m incredibly excited to play a bigger role in shaping its next chapter."
Austin will still continue to shape the brand’s creative vision, alongside focusing on growing and leading women in the fashion industry. This includes focusing more on the Decjuba Foundation and her role as chair of the Smiling Mind Generation social movement.