Waverly's Michaels to White Barn

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/19/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Christiane Michaels has resigned as president and general manager of Waverly Lifestyle Group, a division of F. Schumacher & Co., to become president of White Barn Candle Co.

Michaels, who will join White Barn in December, had been with Waverly for five years and was responsible for extending the Waverly brand into a wide range of home furnishings products via licensing agreements.

At White Barn, a unit of Bath & Body Works, a business of Columbus, OH-based Intimate Brands, Michaels will be responsible for managing all aspects of the unit's home fragrance and home decor business. In her newly created position, Michaels reports to Beth Pritchard, president and ceo of Bath & Body Works. The personal care, home fragrance and decor products are sold through the company's 1,570 Bath & Body Works and 128 White Barn Candle Company stores, of which 31 are standalone units.

Prior to joining Waverly, Michaels was vp of design at WestPoint Stevens and earlier was vp of advertising and public relations at Ethan Allen.

Pritchard said, "Christiane's diversified career has put her in the forefront of the home furnishings industry. We believe the breadth and depth of her experience will be an invaluable asset to White Barn."

"Christiane has been an asset to F. Schumacher & Co. and the Waverly brand," said Gerald Puschel, president/ceo of F. Schumacher & Co. "Her background and substantial expertise in the industry have helped propel Waverly forward on many fronts. I am happy she has this opportunity and wish her the best. She will be missed."

Said Michaels, "I would like to thank F. Schumacher & Co. for enabling me to execute my vision for the Waverly brand. I am leaving Waverly with the staff in place to continue the growth strategy we have developed. I am confident the brand will remain successful and strong."

No successor has been named at Waverly.